CHA/PA Represents at the PAEA Advocacy Forum!
During the month of March, 4 CHA/PA students and 2 Faculty joined PA students and faculty from institutions across the country in Washington, DC, for The PA Education Association's (PAEA) 2025 Spring Advocacy Trip. First-year students, Caitlin Ferrell, Isabella Capra, Emily Oh, and Dana Nguyen had the unique opportunity to engage directly with the federal policymaking process and strengthen their understanding of legislative advocacy.
Throughout the trip our students, along with Faculty Members Amy Akerman, MPAS, PA-C, and Denise Ogden, MA, PA-C; took part in advocacy training sessions led by experts from Polsinelli, LLC, and PAEA staff. These sessions covered key issues facing Congress in 2025 and provided practical strategies for effective communication with lawmakers. Participants were also briefed on PAEA’s legislative priorities, ensuring they were well-prepared for conversations with congressional staff on critical topics impacting PA education. These trainings gave them the tools and strategies to make the most of their meetings with Colorado Senate staff and Legislative members (Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Representative Crow).
With nearly 85% of PA students relying on Grad PLUS loans and nearly half of matriculating students expressing interest in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), this year’s advocacy efforts were focused on federal student aid programs—Grad PLUS loans and the PSLF program. Preserving these programs is essential to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified PAs entering the workforce.
The 2025 Advocacy Trip highlighted the essential role PA students and faculty play in federal policy discussions and we are grateful that our faculty and students represented CHA/PA so well.
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CHA/PA Faculty Features
Program Director, Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C was a co-author on a recent article published in JPAE (Journal of Physician Assistant Education) titled "Fear Factor: Faculty Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Physician Assistant Education".
The article examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on physician assistant/associate (PA) education, based on a national survey of PA faculty conducted by the PA Education Association in early 2024. The survey was the first of its kind and aimed to understand PA faculty perspectives on AI. It included Likert ranking questions and open-ended comments, with a response rate of 14.8% after removing incomplete responses.
Key findings include:
- **Knowledge of AI**: 60.9% of faculty rated their knowledge of AI as average to good.
- **Confidence in using AI**: Generally low among faculty.
- **Group differences**: Significant differences in self-reported AI knowledge based on participants' primary roles .
- **Continuing education**: Participation in AI-focused education programs increased confidence, though only 35% of respondents participated.
- **Attitudes towards AI**: 64.9% of respondents viewed AI positively in PA education but had concerns about its impact on critical thinking skills and academic integrity.
The paper concludes with recommendations for training and support to help faculty effectively integrate AI into PA education, ensuring it enhances rather than replaces essential human elements in teaching and learning.
You can read the article at this link.
Congratulations to Jonathan and the other co-authors on this ground breaking research.
Faculty Member Kelsey Dougherty, MMSc, PA-C, participated in the Colorado Academy of PAs (CAPA) student lecture series. Kelsey delivered a virtual lecture to CAPA Student Members titled Antibiotics Uncovered: Best practices for appropriate use and stewardship. Kelsey’s expertise in this area comes from her current clinical experience in the UCHealth Infectious Disease Clinic on the Anschutz Medical Campus. This lecture was provided to CAPA student members from across the state of Colorado who attend the PA programs at Rocky Vista, Red Rocks, Colorado Mesa and CHA/PA. During the lecture, Kelsey discussed best practices for antibiotic stewardship, including statistics on inappropriate antibiotic use in both outpatient and inpatient settings and the most common infections for which antibiotics are misused. She then reviewed the most common antibiotics used in both inpatient and outpatient settings, discussing mechanism of action, spectrum of activity, common side effects and contraindications. During the lecture, students answered questions on infection cases using interactive polling. Kelsey emphasized throughout the lecture that we can all be good antibiotic stewards, no matter where you end up practicing! By sharing their unique expertise, CHA/PA faculty play a part in educating PA students within and outside of our program. Great job, Kelsey!
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CHA/PA Earns Highest Ranking in Program History
Earlier this month, US News and World Report released their annual rankings and CHA/PA was ranked 3rd, which is our highest ranking in program history. In a recent article, John Sampson, MD, PhD MBA, vice chancellor for health affairs for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and dean of the CU School of Medicine said, “We are extremely proud of this high ranking by our exceptional and highly competitive physician assistant program. I commend program director Jonathan Bowser, PA-C, MS, his leadership team, and all of the faculty for their contributions to this outstanding educational program.”
To see the entire list, and to read more about the methodology behind the ranking, click here.
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Save the Date for the Fall Alumni Gathering and Nominate a CHA/PA colleague for an Alumni Award
It may be a little early, but Save-the-Date for our annual fall alumni gathering the evening of Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Wynkoop Brewery.
We are bringing back this fun event this year, and we will be honoring 3 awardees this time. Nominations are still open for the following awards until May 30, 2025. Nominate one of your colleagues today at either of the links below!
Henry Silver Legacy Award (alumna or alumnus who has practiced in their field for 25+ years)
Alumni Achievement Award (alumna or alumnus who has embodied the mission of CHA/PA)
Rising Star Award (alumna or alumnus who has graduated within the last 7 years - 2018)
We look forward to seeing you there! |
CHA/PA Co-Hosting Virtual Information Sessions with PAEA
This year CHA/PA is co-hosting virtual information sessions as a part of the PAEA Virtual PA Admissions Fair. CHA/PA will be hosting a room at the event at the following dates/times:
Wednesday, April 30 from 9-10 am MT and 12-1 pm MT
Saturday, May 3 from 9-10 am MT
Tuesday, July 22 from 9-10 am MT and 12-1 pm MT
Saturday, July 26 from 9-10 am MT
Prospective applicants can register for the free event using this link. Feel free to spread the word among prospective students you know that may be interested in learning more about CHA/PA and the admissions process.
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CU School of Medicine Scholarship Recap
The annual CU School of Medicine Scholarship Reception was held on March 27, 2025, and it was an opportunity to celebrate the benefactors who invest in the future of healthcare and the medical students who benefit from the generous support of the community. Along with students in the MD, and PT programs, 10 CHA/PA Students participated in the reception and PA-S1 Kayla Tewahade spoke during the reception to the donors that made these scholarships possible.
She stated, “Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, no matter where they come from or what resources they have. And I want to be part of the solution in making that a reality. Of course, this work comes with challenges. There are so many barriers within our healthcare system that make it difficult to provide the care that people truly need. Understanding my role in tackling these injustices is something I continue to learn, but I know that even small efforts can create meaningful change. This is why scholarship support means so much to me. It gives me the freedom to pursue this work without the overwhelming burden of student debt dictating my choices. It allows me to focus on where I’m needed most, rather than where I can pay off loans the fastest. Because of this support, I can commit to serving the communities that need it, knowing I have the ability to make a real impact. Your generosity is not just an investment in my education, but in the patients and communities I will serve throughout my career. I am truly grateful.”
We know students from all 3 programs will go on to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families because of scholarships like those offered by the CU School of Medicine. Scholarships are essential to the training of future physicians, physician assistants and physical therapists, and CHA/PA is so grateful for the support from these benefactors.
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RSVP for the CHA/PA Alumni Awards and Reception 5/18/25; 5 - 7pm
Come join us as we recognize and celebrate our inaugural CHA/PA Alumni Award Recipients, Linsey Weller, PA-C, ’05 and Boyd Hammond, PA-C, MPAS, ‘18 and the graduating Class of 2025.
CU CHA/PA and the CU CHA/PA Alumni Association will be hosting a complimentary reception and awards ceremony during the annual AAPA conference for alumni, students, faculty and staff, at the Curtis Hotel on Sunday, May 18, 2025, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and cash bar will be provided.
This event is complimentary with a RSVP. Register at the link below:
Register here: |
CHA/PA Alumni Given UCH Medical Staff Award
We had an opportunity to catch up with Ben Haerther, Class of 2022 and we asked him a few questions about what he has been up to after his CHA/PA days.
Tell us about your career pathway after CHA/PA
Following CHA/PA graduation in 2022, I started the APP Fellowship in Hospital Medicine at University of Colorado Hospital. The fellowship is a 13 month-long post-graduate experience that utilizes a multiphase approach to develop us learners into well-rounded, competent inpatient providers through both clinical and didactic experiences. Subsequently, I was fortunate to be hired as a full-time faculty instructor and have been working in this role for ~1.5 years now. One of the best parts of this job is regularly precepting 3rd-year CHA/PA students while they are on their clinical rotations!
What drew you to the PA profession? Was there a defining motivation or life event that redirected you toward this path?
While exploring healthcare career options in late high school and early on in undergrad, I focused on identifying a field that aligned with a few of my core values: collaboration, flexibility in career movement, excellent work/life balance, and sufficient time to truly come to know my patients. While not every day in the hospital is all "rainbows and butterflies", I feel confident that I have chosen a career that allows me to thrive in my work environment. I am a proud PA and love to help those who might be considering pursuing the career path.
What career accomplishments are you particularly proud of?
- UCH Medical Staff Awards - Bedside Manner Award (Jan. 2025)
- UCH APP Hospital Medicine Fellowship Awards (Sept. 2024): nominated for both the "APP Excellence in Education Faculty Award" and the "APP Role Model of Humanism Faculty Award" (Nominations were made by current APP Fellows)
Is there anything else about you personally that is unique or that you would like to share?
I am continually thankful for the strong foundational skills and knowledge that the CHA/PA Program provided me. My transition to practice was just about as smooth as it could've been. I give all of my thanks to the wonderful faculty instructors, staff, mentors, and preceptors! |
CHA/PA Alumna Mary Author MS, PA-C Dies
Mary S. Arthur, a champion of the CHA/PA program passed away on March 21, 2025. Mary graduated from the second class of the Child Health Associate Program (CHAP) at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1973. After graduation, she worked for many years in the pediatric practice of James H. Arthur, MD (who became her husband in 1985) and Gordon J. Blakeman, MD. She then served as the associate director of the CHAP at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Anschutz Campus and her photo still remains in the current administrative hallway with other past leaders of CHA/PA. In 2003, she became the first physician assistant elected to receive the Career Teaching Scholar Award in the CU Department of Pediatrics. We extend our deepest condolences to Mary’s family and friends and we are so grateful for the contribution she made to our program.
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