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PA Program

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ anticipates launching an in-person Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) program in January 2026 on its Kansas City Campus in Overland Park, where health science professional and graduate degree programs are located.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ PA Program is a comprehensive and dynamic 24-month program committed to creating academic excellence in Physician Assistant / Associate education through the integration of medical knowledge, clinical practice, and exemplary professional performance.  

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ PA Program has a strong emphasis on respect and care for all human beings, an environment of physical and emotional wellness, and adopting a framework to meet the needs in our community, while practicing good stewardship. Learners receive instruction in leadership, advocacy, ethics, health policy, population, and community health in an interprofessional environment to serve their communities.  

Interprofessional education (where learners from different professions learn about, from, and with each other) is a foundational practice at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ School of Arts and Sciences. Learners actively participate in interprofessional learning activities based on population and community health, emphasizing continuous quality improvement.

Statement of Inclusion, Openness, and Community

Inclusion embraces the broad spectrum of unique personal identities, experiences, and perspectives arising from differences in origin, culture, and life situations. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ aims to be welcoming and supportive of open and respectful dialog among all community members regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, biological sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, language, and education. Inclusion promotes freedom from bias and favoritism, fostering unity, empathy, access, opportunity, and an environment where everyone's contributions are valued and respected.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is proud to have an inclusive, accessible, and diverse community that encompasses its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Board of Trustees. As an institution guided by our mission statement, we believe that by fostering an environment that values inclusion, we can create a richer, more impactful educational experience for all. This statement reflects our foundational calling as a “Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry” focused on seeking out different perspectives, listening intentionally, and advocating for justice within our community.

LIVE INCLUSION, OPENNESS, AND COMMUNITY BY:

  • Encouraging and empowering everyone to foster an environment that is open and welcoming.
  • Valuing and respecting others whose personal identities, experiences, values, and world views are different from our own.
  • Strengthening our intercultural awareness through caring curiosity and proactively seeking out intercultural experiences beyond the classroom.
  • Creating a shared culture across all our campus settings and spaces, ensuring everyone feels heard, valued, appreciated, and respected.
  • Listening actively to others within the campus community and beyond with compassion, empathy, and respect recognizing that diverse perspectives enrich our collective understanding.
  • Behaving as open and inclusive people through our actions and voice in all settings in which we conduct our lives.

DEVELOP OUR CAPACITY TO EMBRACE INCLUSION, OPENNESS, AND COMMUNITY BY:

  • Fostering personal growth by actively exploring and working to understand the origins of our assumptions, judgments, and points of view and constantly challenging ourselves to refrain from prejudice or unexamined points of view.
  • Promoting and nurturing a learning environment in which students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to recognize the challenges, accomplishments, heritage, and perspectives of all people.
  • Learning to engage in constructive dialogue with a willingness to listen to differing perspectives.
  • Supporting initiatives that broaden our university community's connections with other communities to enhance mutual understanding and respect.

Dr. Susan Salahshor 

Division Chair, Director of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ PA Program 

Dr. Susan Salahshor joined ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in January 2024 as the inaugural director of our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program at the Kansas City campus. She holds St. John’s University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Capella University degrees. Dr. Salahshor served as a faculty and administrator at Florida State University College of Medicine and was responsible for establishing an innovative new PA program at Ithaca College in New York from 2019 to 2023. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the national accrediting body. 

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Master of Science in PA Studies has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Master of Science in PA Studies anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2026, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status in September 2025 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Non-accreditation will require informing the public, accepted candidates and returning any admission fees collected.

Mission

The mission of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ PA program is to prepare graduates to serve their communities* with evidenced-based, patient-centered care, leading to service to humanity and professional fulfillment.  

*Communities: medically underserved, health profession shortage areas, and rural communities.

Vision

The vision of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ PA program is to serve others through leadership, advocacy, and lifelong learning. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Values

  1. Use an ethical framework to care for our patients. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  1. Be kind, compassionate, and respectful to all persons. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  1. Seek knowledge through ongoing lifelong learning. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  1. Practice self-care daily to set an example for others. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  1. Consider your fiscal responsibilities to yourself, the University, the program, and the healthcare delivery system. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  1. Cultivate community through an open mind, active listening, thoughtful questioning, and a growth mindset.

Goals

GOAL BENCHMARK MEASURE PUBLISH DATE
Goal 1. Create and enhance competencies in a variety of healthcare settings. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Ensure that at least 30% of clinical phase training occurs in health profession shortage areas, or rural medical settings. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; After each cohort completes their clinical phase. February after each cohort has graduated, first publication February 2028 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Goal 2. Promote a respectful and collaborative environment through ongoing education. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Provide three (3) workshops annually on respectful and collaborative environments. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Document workshops as they occur each quarter. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Document workshops as they occur each quarter. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Goal 3. Encourage professional and community involvement. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; All learners will complete at least three community service experiences in their didactic year. Document community service as it occurs each quarter. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; February after each year, first publication, February 2027 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
All learners will complete at least one community service experience in their clinical year. Document community service at the end of the clinical year. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; February after each year, first publication, February 2028 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
10% of learners will be involved in leadership and advocacy at the local, state, or national level. Document involvement as it occurs each quarter. February after each cohort has graduated, first publication February 2028 &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Goal 4. Recruit applicants from health profession shortage areas, rural areas.  10% of each cohort will represent rural (US Census Designated Rural Area) and health profession shortage areas. Document each cohort's HRSA indicators at matriculation. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Each February, first publication of February 2026

PA Program Required Competencies (A3.12g)

All PA Program learners are evaluated and expected to meet the highest standards of competency in the six (6) areas of Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession:

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE (MK)

Demonstrate comprehensive* knowledge of the human organ systems.

*Comprehensive means knowledge in the NCCPA task categories:  history taking and physical examination, using diagnostic and laboratory studies, formulating most likely diagnoses, managing patients, applying foundational scientific concepts, and professional practice.   

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (IS) 

Demonstrate effective communication with team members, patients, and caregivers.     

CLINICAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS (CTS)   

Perform history, physical, and entry-level clinical* and technical skills** competently.   

*Clinical skills include history taking, performing physical exams (including vital signs), patient counseling, diagnostic reasoning, diagnostic studies interpretation, and teamwork.  

**Technical skills include venipuncture, peripheral IV, suturing, bladder catheterization, injections (IV, IM, SC), point of care testing (e.g., swabbing), pap smear, prostate exam, casting and splinting, incision, and drainage.  

CLINICAL REASONING and PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES (CRPSA)   

Create differential diagnoses based on the evaluation of patients. 

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS (PB)   

Provide respect, compassion, empathy, and kindness in healthcare settings to patients, families/caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.  

LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY (LA)   

Demonstrate leadership* and advocacy** skills to enhance clinical practice and patient care.   

*Leadership skills include effective communication, trustworthiness, patience, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptivity, conflict resolution techniques, collaboration, and ethical decision-making.  

**Advocacy skills include confidence, knowledge of patient's rights, the healthcare delivery system, medical knowledge, ethical and legal considerations, and resourcefulness. 

Learners are evaluated using a variety of assessment tools such as multiple-choice questions, verbal and written case presentations, simulation activities, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), reflection journals, research projects, and clinical preceptor evaluations.

Kevin Hickman,DMSc,MJ,MHA,PA-C

Kevin Hickman,DMSc,MJ,MHA,PA-C

Principal Faculty
Physician Assistant Studies Program

Marcy Kincaid, JD

Marcy Kincaid, JD

Program Administrative Support
Physician Assistant Studies Program

Robert L. Fletcher, PA-C, MHSA

Robert L. Fletcher, PA-C, MHSA

Principal Faculty
Physician Assistant Studies Program

Ronald Moore, MD

Ronald Moore, MD

Medical Director
Physician Assistant Studies Program

Shonda Grant

Shonda Grant

Enrollment Manager
Physician Assistant Studies Program

Summer Snowden, MS-PAS, PA-C

Summer Snowden, MS-PAS, PA-C

Principal Faculty
Physician Assistant Studies Program

Susan Salahshor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA

Susan Salahshor, PA-C, PhD, DFAAPA

Division Chair, Director of PA Program

Located on the beautiful Aspiria campus in Overland Park, Kansas, the OU PA Program offers an exceptional facility thoughtfully designed to support innovative medical education, clinical skill development, and collaborative learning.  

The program offers virtual cadaver technology with anatomic tables, which allow for virtual dissections, cross-sectional views, and clinical simulations, offering unparalleled opportunities to explore human anatomy in 3D. The program also has state-of-the-art simulation labs featuring lifelike patient mannequins capable of simulating complex medical scenarios and realistic clinical environments to practice diagnostics and procedures. Advanced clinical skills labs have modern equipment, such as portable ultrasound devices and hands-on stations for mastering phlebotomy, blood pressure measurement, suturing, and casting.   

Learners also have access to a fitness center, student lounges, and several meal and snack options on and near campus.  

All of these features foster an environment where PA learners can experience cutting-edge technology and real-world clinical experience that will prepare them for success in their healthcare careers.

Areas of Focus

  • Psychiatry
  • Rural Health
  • Geriatrics

PA Program Advisory Board

Deb Danforth

Deb Danforth

PA Advisory Board, member

Felix Alvelo

Felix Alvelo

PA Advisory Board, member

Jordan Beckley

Jordan Beckley

PA Advisory Board, member

Kevin Williams

Kevin Williams

PA Advisory Board, member

Larry Payton

Larry Payton

PA Advisory Board, member

Nancy Wingert

Nancy Wingert

PA Advisory Board, member

Scott Thellman

Scott Thellman

PA Advisory Board, member

Skylar Stewart Clark

Skylar Stewart Clark

PA Advisory Board, member

About ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Founded in 1865 in Ottawa, Kansas, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has a rich history educating students, especially from underserved populations, for lifetimes of enlightened faith, exemplary service, inspired leadership, and personal significance. The University’s roots as a mission school for the Ottawa Indian Tribe instilled a deep passion for service to others. The Kansas City campus opened in 1974 to serve professional and graduate students, focusing on accelerated career outcomes and opportunities for non-traditional learners. The MSPAS program aims to address the needs of the Kansas City community, Kansas, and the region, as well as individuals interested in health-related careers.

MISSIONAL

Our roots lie in Baptist missionaries who went West in the mid-1800s, men and women who worked tirelessly for the benefit of underserved Native Americans in Ottawa, Kansas. Today, our University is proud of its heritage. We are committed to educating all our students in a “caring, Christ-centered community of grace” characterized by openness, inclusivity, and collegiality. In the wake of the pandemic, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has committed to substantial strategic investments in health sciences education in Kansas City, establishing a new prelicensure nursing program, expanding our counseling offerings, creating new student pipelines into the caring professions, and strengthening our collaborations with major healthcare systems. The creation of a PA program is a significant and ambitious next step for OU in providing a life-changing education for our students and enriching the lives of our neighbors in greater Kansas City and the state of Kansas.

Mission Statement

Building on its foundation as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity.

Vision Statement

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will elevate student learning and deliver exceptional outcomes for our graduates as we embrace innovation and foster a community of collaboration and belonging.

Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

Located approximately 35 minutes from the Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Overland Park is consistently recognized among the best in the nation for quality of life attributes and business environment. Its highly educated residents enjoy an abundance of employment opportunities and, when they aren’t on the job, plenty of leisure choices.

In just 60 years, Overland Park has grown to become the state’s second largest city and its economic engine. More than 10,000 businesses keep the local economy strong. With a population soon to exceed 200,000 residents, Overland Park represents about one-third of the total population of Johnson County, which is the state’s most populous county. And, it is the largest suburb in the Kansas City metro

Healthcare

Overland Park residents have access to some of the best and most up-to-date medical facilities. Major medical facilities, specialty hospitals, numerous urgent care and emergency medical facilities, and dozens of assisted living, skilled nursing and home health companies provide medical care from birth to the senior years. Community leaders and a philanthropic business community support a large network of nonprofit organizations working to ensure that the increasingly diverse human service needs are being addressed.

Area hospitals are accredited in a wide range of specialties and have medical staff foremost in their fields. The University of Kansas Cancer Center, which has treatment centers in Overland Park, is the only National Cancer Institute-designed cancer center in the region.

#178 – Least-Stressed Cities in America – WalletHub, 2020

#4 – Healthiest Cities in the U.S. for Families – Ladders, 2019

#25 – Healthiest Cities in the U.S. – WalletHub, 2017

Overland Park Visitor Center

Home to the best youth sports venues in the Midwest, great food, robust shopping, lush botanical gardens and an impressive collection of festivals, live music and theater. Bring your family, hang with friends, experience something new. There are endless reasons to visit Overland Park—and it’s just a short drive from Kansas City.

Find out more by visiting their site, .

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