Physician Assistant

Request Information  Contact a Representative  Apply Now  Request a Tour

Admission Requirements : Native American Physician Assistant Track (NAPA) : Curriculum Guide/Student Handbook : Tuition and Expenses : Financial Assistance : FAQs : Accreditation

Native American Physician Assistant Track (NAPA)

The purpose of The Native American Physician Assistant (NAPA) Track is to increase the number of American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) Physician Assistants, who serve in tribal communities. The NAPA track strives to collaborate with Native individuals, communities, educational and medical programs in the recruitment and training of indigenous people into the PA profession.

The NAPA track recruits statewide and nationally for excellent applicants to join the PA Studies program, which upon graduation bestows a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

The NAPA track begins with a special pre-program orientation, “For the Community’s Good,” which is an introduction to local Indian communities and health facilities for NAPA clinical rotations.

During the 14-month didactic component of the program, NAPA students attend the classes alongside non-Native students.  During the 12-month clinical component of the program, NAPA students are required to complete five of their eight required rotations at Tribal Clinics, Indian Health Service hospitals, rural and/or underserved facilities in Arizona or other sites which serve indigenous communities.  The NAPA track also helps students maintain their ties with their home communities, facilitate potential rotations in their home communities, and make new contacts with local tribal communities.

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies believes that each NAPA graduate will significantly improve primary health care services in underserved American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian communities.

Successful NAPA Track applicants will:

• Fulfill all admission requirements to the ASHS PA program (see the PA program “Admission Requirements”)
• Be of American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian descent
• Demonstrate involvement in your Native community
• Express a desire and plan to work as a Physician Assistant within American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian communities

Potential applicants are encouraged to obtain further information by personally contacting:

Cynthia Yahola Wilson, MA, MFA, (Seminole/Creek)
Director, Native American Physician Assistant Track

Phone: (480) 219-6187 or by email at CYWilson@atsu.edu