In this guest column by UTMB School of Health Professions students Chelsea Halbleib and Brandi Dyess: There are more than 100,000 physician assistants practicing across our nation, filling a vital role in the American health care system. Since this week is National Physician Assistant week, those of us in the UTMB PA program would like to thank all PA faculty members for their important contributions to this profession. UTMB PAs also want to applaud program chairman, Dr. J. Michael Smith, honored on Oct. 3 by the DeBakey VA Medical Center for his services for veterans and military personnel. Throughout the fall semester, UTMB PA students will be helping the Galveston community through several different outreach projects.