Elon University To Open Charlotte’s First Physician Assistant Program in 2027

Elon University will open its Physician Assistant (PA) program in Charlotte, starting January 2027. Students will learn at a location shared with the school's flex law program, making it the first PA program in America's biggest city without one.

“Something that is really important in PA education is that we educate students to work in medical teams. They are not fighting against others, but they're team players, and so I would hope that we can reinforce that by interactions between the two programs,” said Dr. Timothy Lietz to elonnewsnetwork.com.

The current PA program is highly competitive. Each year, between 2,000 and 3,000 applicants vie for just 36 spots. Dr. Veronica Marciano, who leads the program, emphasized that "community partnerships are crucial for the success of the program, as they will provide students with real-world experience and help build strong relationships between the university and local healthcare providers."

The program is split into two main parts. Students spend their first year in classroom learning, then move on to hands-on clinical work. Local doctors and medical professionals helped create lessons that address Charlotte's specific health needs.

Though running separately, both PA locations will come together for certain activities. Students can connect during events like the "PA Olympics." The school is still looking for qualified teachers. They need people who can develop strong lesson plans and create partnerships with hospitals for student training.

Students help out at local clinics and health fairs. These important community connections will keep going at the Charlotte campus, helping fill local healthcare needs. Given how well graduates do finding jobs, the school expects similar success from the new location.

Sharing facilities with law students lets both programs use better resources while saving money. This arrangement helps everyone learn better.

Charlotte medical groups have wanted local PA training to help more people get healthcare. Through practical experience and working with clinics, the program hopes to help solve these community needs.