• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to mobile menu bar

The Physician Assistant Life

The Physician Assistant Life: The Ultimate Resource for All Things PA

How Can We Help? Essays Interviews Consulting Community

  • Start
    • Services
      • Pre-PA Consulting and Advising
      • Mock Interviews
        • Client testimonials
      • Resume/Cover Letter Writing and Revision
      • Personal Statement Rewriting and Revision
        • Client testimonials
      • Board Review
      • Perfect Program Picker
  • Interviews
  • Essay Help
    • Personal Statement Revision Service
      • Client Testimonials
    • Supplemental Essay Editing
    • 31 Sample Essays
      • Personal Statement Workshop
    • How to Write Your PA Personal Statement Book
    • 101 PA School Essays Book
    • Personal Statement Starter Kit
  • Resumes
    • Downloadable PA Resume Templates
    • Downloadable Recommendation Letter Templates
    • PA Resume/CV Revision Service
  • Free Exams
    • FREE PANCE/ PANRE Podcast
    • FREE Daily PANCE Email Series
  • PANCE/PANRE
    • Sign Up
    • PODCAST
    • SMARTY PANCE
      • More Courses
        • Genitourinary Blueprint Course
        • Neurology Blueprint Course
        • Endocrinology Blueprint Course
        • Psychiatry Blueprint Course
        • Hematology Blueprint Course
        • Infectious Disease Blueprint Course
      • Cardiology Blueprint Course
      • Pulmonology Blueprint Course
      • GI and Nutrition Blueprint Course
      • Musculoskeletal Blueprint Course
      • EENT Blueprint Course
      • Dermatology Blueprint Course
      • Reproductive Blueprint Course
    • Topic Specific Exams
      • More
        • Endocrinology
        • Psychiatry
        • Neurology
        • Dermatology
        • Hematology
      • Cardiology
      • Pulmonology
      • Musculoskeletal
      • Reproductive
      • GI and Nutrition
      • EENT
    • 225 Question Exams
      • Exam 1
      • Exam 2
      • Exam 3
      • Exam 4
      • Exam 5
    • Academy Exams
      • Exam 1
      • Exam 2
      • Exam 3
      • Exam 4
    • The Virtual PANCE and PANRE Home
      • Virtual PANCE Testing Room
        • Virtual PANRE Testing Room
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 1
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 2
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 3
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 4
      • Virtual PANCE and PANRE: Block 5
    • Daily Email Series Exams
      • Exam 1
      • Exam 2
      • Exam 3
      • Exam 4
      • Final Exam
    • Legacy Exams
    • End of Rotation Exams
      • General Surgery End of Roatation Exam
      • Emergency Medicine End or Rotation Exam 1
      • Emergency Medicine End of Rotation Exam 2
      • Pediatrics End of Rotation Exam
      • Women’s Health End of Rotation Exam
      • Family Practice End of Rotation Exam
    • Your Exam Progress
  • Downloads
    • FREE Content Blueprint Checklist
    • The Ultimate PA Job Application Bundle
      • Practicing PA Resume and CV Template
      • New Graduate PA Resume Template
      • PA School Applicant and Pre-PA Resume Template
      • PA Cover Letter and Thank You Follow Up Templates
    • PA Recommendation Letter Templates
    • Expert Panel Audiobook
    • The Expert Panel Workbook
  • Best Books
    • The Best Gear
    • The Best Apps
    • Gift Guide
  • Blog
    • Content archive
You are here: Home / Pre-Physician Assistant / The PA History Quiz: I Scored a 3 Out of 25, How About You?

The PA History Quiz: I Scored a 3 Out of 25, How About You?

BY Stephen Pasquini PA-C 20 Comments

Do You Know Your PA History - Take the Physician Assistant History Quiz

And the answer is . . .

You will have to take the quiz below to find out!

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past."

I wish the title of this blog post were an attention grabbing exaggeration, but sadly it is true, I scored a 3 out of 25 on my PA history quiz.

Statistically speaking I would have done better had I let my cat pick the answers.

The truth is, even after 13 years in the PA profession and over three years writing content for this blog, I know very little about the history of my profession.

  • Which nationally syndicated cartoon comic strip featured a physician assistant as a leading character?
  • What year was the first national certifying examination for PAs administered?
  • Which First Lady attended and spoke at an AAPA Annual Conference while her husband was still in office?

Know your PA history and Ace your PA school interview

Want another reason to know your PA history?

When you are preparing for your PA school interview, you must make it a point to have a solid understanding of our profession. It will help you answer questions about why you want to be a PA. You will be able to explain what this means, not just from a personal perspective but a historical one.

How do we as PAs address the many professional challenges ahead? We look to the past and learn from it.

Know your history, and you will be hard wired to impress!

Below is a compilation of five quizzes offered by the Physician Assistant History Society. I have gathered these 25 questions into an interactive quiz that you can take below.

A serious thank you for the amazing work of the PA History Society for celebrating our profession and creating the quiz content.

I encourage you to take time and follow the links embedded in the exam, go down the "rabbit hole," read about and understand every element of our history. It will give you confidence, not only during your PA school interview but as you make a life and career for yourself as a physician assistant.  

Now go ahead and see if you can beat my score.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT HISTORY EXAM

How much do you know about the PA profession

Start
Congratulations - you have completed How much do you know about the PA profession. You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
Which state was last to pass physician assistant enabling legislation?
A
New Jersey
B
Mississippi
C
Montana
D
Louisiana
Question 1 Explanation: 
Mississippi HB 846 was signed into law by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove on April 24, 2000 after a 26 year struggle to gain legislation to license and authorize the practice of physician assistants. By doing so, all 50 states now authorize PA practice.
Question 2
Who was the physician who first introduced members of the AMA to the concept of “mid-level practitioners” and who published an article titled “Expansion of medical professional services with nonprofessional personnel” in a 1961 issue of JAMA?
A
Dr. Hu Myers
B
Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr.
C
Dr. Richard Smith
D
Dr. Charles Hudson
Question 2 Explanation: 
Charles L. Hudson, MD was one of the first physicians to suggest that non-physician clinical support personnel be trained and used to help alleviate a growing disparity between supply and demand for health care services. At an American Medical Association (AMA) meeting in 1961, he proposed that individuals with no previous medical education be trained to perform routine clinical tasks. His address was published in JAMA in 1961. Mississipi Enact PA Law Composite
Question 3
Who served as the first elected president of the Physician Assistant History Society?
A
J. Jeffrey Heinrich
B
Alfred Sadler
C
William Stanhope
D
Reginald Carter
Question 3 Explanation: 
Jeffrey Heinrich RecentThe Physician Assistant History Society was incorporated in January 2002 and became fully operational in July 2002 under the leadership of Dr. J. Jeffrey Heinrich, the Society’s first elected president.

About Us:

The Society for Preservation of PA History

Question 4
What is the title of George Skypeck's painting that contains thousands of names of Vietnam veterans who signed the artwork as it traveled throughout the USA in the 1980s and has a special significance for physician assistants who are veterans?
A
Life Saver Then - Care Giver Now
B
God Loves a Grunt
C
Angels and Brothers
D
Corpsman Up
Question 4 Explanation: 
With the artist permission, over 500 PAs signed the painting during the AAPA’s 10th Annual Conference held in Washington DC in May 1982. Prints of the painting and signatures have graced the walls of the White House and Congress and have appeared in the homes of military leaders and film and television stars. With the artist permission, the Veterans Caucus of the AAPA sale prints of the painting to generate scholarship funds for PA students who are veterans. "God Loves a Grunt" reminds us of the dedication and sacrifice of those first ex-military corpsmen who were selected to pioneer our profession. The Creation of God Loves a Grunt
Question 5
An advertisement promoting the training of former military corpsmen to be physician assistants was sponsored by the AMA (American Doctors of Medicine) and appeared in the July 30, 1971 Issue of Life Magazine. The advertisement shows a young African American male, a former military corpsman, doing what as a civilian?
A
Working as a nurse's aid in a long-term care facility
B
Doing janitorial work
C
Washing a car windshield at a gas station
D
Grilling hamburgers at a fast-food restaurant
Question 5 Explanation: 
Advertisement from the July 30, 1971 Issue of Life Magazine.The accompanying photograph shows him washing the windshield of a car with the caption, “We want to put this man in the hospital.” The accompanying text relates that this young man spent two years as a medic in Vietnam on the battlefield saving “an arm, a leg—or a life.” Now in civilian life, “he’s pumping gas… a terrible waste of his training.” The advertisement goes on to inform the public and potential PA candidates about the development of PA educational programs to train individuals to help solve the shortage of doctors. “They’re [PAs] virtually an extra right hand for the doctor. And that’s very good news for the doctor’s patients.” From the Military Corpsmen Ranks
Question 6
Which nationally syndicated cartoon comic strip featured a physician assistant as a leading character?
A
Cathy
B
Mary Worth
C
Gasoline Alley
D
Beetle Bailey
Question 6 Explanation: 
Gasoline Alley Collage Promotes Physician Assistants In 1970, Dr. Robert Howard, the director of the Duke University PA Program, contacted cartoonist Dick Moores to ask him to consider having a PA included in the comic strip, Gasoline Alley. The following year, with background material supplied by Howard, Mr. Moores depicted Doc, the town's general practitioner, introducing Chipper Wallet to the PA concept. Chipper was an ex-military corpsman who served in the US Coast Guard in Vietnam. In the strip, Doc encourages Chipper to apply for PA training and return home to help him with his practice. Dick Moores joined Frank King, the creator of the comic strip Gasoline Alley, in 1956. Marketing the PA Profession
Question 7
Where was the first postgraduate residency PA program established?
A
Montefiore Medical Center
B
Norwalk Hospital/Yale University
C
Howard University Hospital
D
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Question 7 Explanation: 
gliedmanMontefiore's Physician Assistant residency is the oldest postgraduate residency program in the country. It was established in 1971 at the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY by Marvin Gliedman, MD, Richard Rosen, MD, and Clara Vanderbilt, R-PA. Montefiore became the first hospital to include PA's as house officers on inpatient surgical services. Those PA's quickly became an integral part of the surgical team at Montefiore and their clinical experience was formalized into a 12 month residency in general surgery and surgical specialties. Montefiore PA Surgical Residency Program
Question 8
What was the title of the first book written about the PA profession and published in 1972 by Sadler, Sadler, and Bliss?
A
Physician's Assistants: Partners in Health Care
B
The Physician's Assistant: Today and Tomorrow
C
The Physician Assistant: Innovation in the Division of Medical Labor
D
Physician Assistant: Their Contribution to Health Care
Question 8 Explanation: 
The Physician Assistant Today and Tomorrow BookThe Physician's Assistant: Today and Tomorrow was published by Yale University Press in 1972. The three authors, Alfred Sadler, Jr. a physician who headed the Trauma program at Yale, his twin brother Blair, a lawyer also on faculty at Yale and Ann Bliss, a nurse and psychiatric social worker, were all heavily involved in the development of Yale's Physician's Associate Program. The authors provided an overview of issues confronting the newly emerging health professional, i.e., PAs, focused on lessons learned from the past, especially in nursing, and called for the development of better interdependent relationships between PAs and other health professionals. Read the book: The Physician's Assistant: Today and Tomorrow 2nd Edition
Question 9
What year was the first national certifying examination for PAs administered?
A
1968
B
1973
C
1975
D
1978
Question 9 Explanation: 
With the blessing of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP), the American Medical Association (AMA) with funds from the Kellogg Foundation requested the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) to develop and administer a national certifying examination for Assistants to the Primary Care Physician. The examination was first administered in December 1973 to PAs and was also open to nurse practitioners, nurse clinicians and to child health associate graduates. The examination was open to informally trained PAs in 1974. The AMA and NBME brought together 12 professional groups in late 1973 to form a free-standing, independent commission to certify PAs and others who successfully passed the national certifying examination and to work with state boards, employers, the PA profession and the public to assure the competency of PAs. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) opened offices in Atlanta, GA in February 1975. History and Role of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Question 10
What year and where was the first National Conference on New Health Practitioners held?
A
1972 in Durham, NC
B
1972 in Washington, DC
C
1973 in Wichita Falls, TX
D
1973 in New Orleans, LA
Question 10 Explanation: 
The First National Conference on New Health Practitioners was held April 10-14, 1973 at the School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Attendance was 325 individuals. The conference was cosponsored by the AAPA and APAP and attempts were made to attract nurse practitioners as well as PAs. The conference had roots in Durham, NC, the birthplace of the PA concept. There, in 1968, a handful of PAs convened the First Annual Duke Conference on Physician's Assistants. Additional conferences were held at Duke in 1969, 1970 and 1972. These early conferences helped standardize curriculums, develop accreditation guidelines and state enabling legislation, promote the PA concept to the medical and nursing professions, the Federal Government and funding agencies. They also helped solidify leaders of the "PA movement" into a highly organized and effective group of health policy innovators. First PA Conference
Question 11
Which of the following titles has NOT been used in the past by the PA professional organization known by the acronym AAPA?
A
American College of Physician's Assistants
B
American Association of Physician's Assistants
C
American Academy of Physician's Associates
D
American Academy of Physician's Assistants
Question 11 Explanation: 
The current American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) has had several name changes over the years. It was organized and incorporated in North Carolina in 1968 as the American Association of Physician's Assistants. In June 1971 the name was changed to the American Academy of Physician's Associates but because of controversy about the use of the term associate, customarily used by physicians to refer to another physician colleague in practice, was changed in February 1972 to the American Academy of Physician's Assistants. The 's was dropped in the mid-1970s because PAs believed that the possessive "s" misconstrued the interdependent relationship between them and their supervising physician. The American College of Physician's Assistants established in Cincinnati and the National Association of Physician's Assistants based in NY City, were two of three other competing organizations that emerged between 1968-1972 to represent PAs, some of whom were informally trained.
Question 12
Which First Lady attended and spoke at an AAPA Annual Conference while her husband was still in office?
A
Hillary Clinton
B
Barbara Bush
C
Nancy Reagan
D
Rosalynn Carter
Question 12 Explanation: 
Rosalynn Carter attended the AAPA Annual Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1980. Ms. Carter spoke to the general assembly advocating for improved delivery of mental health services, especially for homeless, uninsured and medically disadvantaged citizens. She is still an advocate and continues to work on the cause through the Carter Center's Mental Health Program. While President, Jimmy Carter signed on December 13, 1977 the Rural Health Clinic Service Act that provided Medicare reimbursement of PA services. Jimmy Carter Rural Health Act 3
Question 13
Who was the first woman to become president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants?
A
Sherri Stuart
Hint:
1991 Sherri Stuart became the second woman to head the Academy.
B
Judith Willis
C
Sherrie Borden
Hint:
Sherri Borden held the office between 1996-1997
D
Clara Vanderbilt
Hint:
Clara Vanderbilt was first woman to serve as vice president of the organization between 1975-76.
Question 13 Explanation: 
willisBio_imageJudith Willis was the first woman elected to serve as president of the AAPA. She served as the Academy's president from 1984-85, the 14th person to do so in the Academy's 17th year of existence. In 1985, the Academy's membership surpassed the 10,000 mark. Many women have held the presidential office since 1991 when Sherri Stuart became the second woman to head the Academy. Sherri Borden held the office between 1996-1997. Clara Vanderbilt was first woman to serve as vice president of the organization between 1975-76. Read the full biography of Judith B Willis
Question 14
In what year did the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) administer the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to informally trained PAs and nurse practitioners (NPs) for the last time?
A
1975
B
1980
C
1985
D
1990
Question 14 Explanation: 
Since 1985, only individuals that have graduated from educational programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or its predecessors, CAHEA and CAAHEP, are eligible to sit for the PANCE. Any individual who passed the PANCE prior to closure of the examination to informally trained PAs or nurse practitioners maintained their certification and remained eligible to become recertified every six years by taking the PANRE (recertifying examination). History and Role of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Question 15
Which institution was the first to offer a bachelor's degree to graduates of its PA educational program?
A
Duke University, Durham, NC
B
University of Colorado, Denver, CO
Hint:
In 1974, the Child Health Associate Program based at the University of Colorado became the first program to offer graduates a master's degree.
C
Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, WV
D
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Question 15 Explanation: 
Hu Myers CollageDr. Hu C. Meyers founded and served eight years as the director of the nation's first degree program for physician assistants at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. The first students were enrolled in September 1968 and graduated four years later in 1972. It was the first program to offer a liberal arts-based baccalaureate degree, the first to accept students just out of high school and the first to accept students without previous medical experience - a major departure from Dr. Eugene Stead's PA model at Duke University and Dr. Richard Smith's MEDEX model at the University of Washington. In 1974, the Child Health Associate Program based at the University of Colorado became the first program to offer graduates a master's degree.
Question 16
The prime time NBC television program that aired in December 1970 portraying the medical legal plight of an ex-military corpsmen arrested for giving aid to an accident victim in a medically isolated community in California was:
A
The Young Lawyers
B
The Storefront Lawyers
C
The Bold Ones
D
Marcus Welby, MD
Question 16 Explanation: 
The 'People against Dr. Chapman' aired December 6, 1970 as one of four episodes of the lawyers that was broadcast under the NBC umbrella program THE BOLD ONES. The episode was scripted by Jerome (Jerry) Bredouw. Bredouw wanted to educate the public about the need to enact legislation (especially in California) to allow doctors to use physician assistants to extend their services to individuals living in medically isolated communities. Bredouw was motivated by the California case, Shasta County v. Whittaker (1966). Roger Whittaker, a surgical assistant trained in the military, was charged with practicing medicine without a license even though he worked under the supervision of a neurosurgeon, Dr. George Stevenson, during brain surgery, Bredouw was a big fan of the comic strip Gasoline Alley and convinced the cartoonist, Dick Moores, to have Chipper Wallet, a corpsman in Vietnam, become a physician assistant. The Bold Ones TV Episode and Gasoline Alley Comic Strip
Question 17
The organization incorporated in 1970 by PA program educators to assure the clinical competence of their graduates and served as the forerunner of the Association of Physician Assistant Programs was the:
A
Physicians’ Associates Education Research Foundation (PAERF)
B
American Registry of Physicians’ Associates (ARPA)
C
National Registry of Physician’s Associates (NRPA)
D
American Board of Physician Associates (ABPA)
Question 17 Explanation: 
The American Registry of Physicians' Associates (ARPA) was incorporated in 1970 to encourage a standard level of training and to promote the use of Physicians' Associates (now known as physician assistants). Those registered by the ARPA were entitled to refer to themselves as an RPA (registered PA) and were given an ARPA pin to wear on their clinical jackets. The ARPA was assimilated into the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) in 1972 and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants assumed its registration functions in 1975. The ARPA no longer exists as an organization. American Reigstry of Physician's Associates
Question 18
Who was the “doctor’s assistant” trained and employed by Dr. Amos Johnson in Garland, NC, who served as Dr. Eugene Stead, Jr.’s role model when he began formally educating PAs at Duke University?
A
Steve Turnipseed
B
Joyce Nichols
C
Prentiss Harrison
D
Henry Treadwell
Question 18 Explanation: 
Johnson Treadwell Collage Prior to the development of the physician assistant program at Duke University in 1965, many physicians were training their own assistants on the job. Stead was aware particularly of one such proprietary trained assistant, Mr. Henry Lee 'Buddy' Treadwell, who was trained by and worked with Dr. Amos Johnson in general practice in Garland, North Carolina. This relationship crystallized Stead's vision of how a physician's assistant could be used to help over-worked doctors deliver health care services.
Question 19
In 1967, Dr. John W. Kirklin initiated the first surgeon's assistant program at which institution?
A
University of Alabama/Birmingham
B
Weill Cornell Medical College/New York
C
The State University of New Jersey/Rutgers
D
Emory University/Atlanta
Question 19 Explanation: 
Dr. John Kirklin started the University of Alabama/Birmingham's Surgeon Assistant (SA) Training Program in 1967 and recruited his wife, Dr. Margaret Kirklin, to be the program's first Academic Director. There were initially four students – three of whom remained at UAB for the rest of their professional lives.
Question 20
What national legislation paved the way for the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Bureau of Health Manpower Education, to award contracts to fund the education of physician assistants for the first time?
A
Federal Economy Act of 1970
B
Comprehensive Health Manpower Training Act of 1971
C
Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1963
D
Higher Education Act of 1972
Question 20 Explanation: 
The Department of Health, Education and Welfare announced awarding $4 million in contracts in Fiscal 1972 to 25 institutions training Physician Assistants for primary care. This was the first time these type programs were awarded funds by the Office of Special Programs, under sections of the Comprehensive Health Manpower Training Act of 1971. President M. Nixon signed the bill on December 23, 1971.
Question 21
n 1968, Dr. Richard Smith created the first MEDEX program in the country at the University of Washington. What does the acronym MEDEX mean?
A
Med-ical Ex-tenders
B
Med-icine Ex-tension
C
Med-ical Ex-terns
D
M-edically Ed-ucated Ex-tenders
Question 21 Explanation: 
smithRADr. Richard A. Smith is assigned to Pacific Northwest by Surgeon General William Stewart to develop physician assistant training program. He develops the MEDEX (Med-icine Ex-tension) model with a strong emphasis on the deployment of students and graduates into medically underserved communities.

Biography:

Richard Smith, MD

Question 22
Formally organized as a not-for-profit organization in 1974, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) opened its first office in 1975 in which of the following cities?
A
Chicago, IL
B
Durham, NC
C
Washington, DC
D
Atlanta, GA
Question 22 Explanation: 
With federal and private funding and under the auspices of the American Medical Association and the National Board of Medical Examiners, fourteen national health organizations came together in August 1974 to establish the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), as a free-standing, independent commission to assure the public of the competency of physician assistants. David Glazer was recruited from Emory University in December 1974 to serve as the organization's first executive director. With a staff of five individuals, he opened an office in Atlanta, GA in February 1975 and continued to oversee the development of a state-of-the-art certification and recertification process for physician assistants until he relinquished his position in 1996 The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants: History and Role NCCPA Incorportated
Question 23
The trial People v Whittaker involved an ex-military trained operating room assistant who assisted a neurosurgeon with surgery. The assistant was charged with practicing medicine without a license. The trial received national coverage in 1966. In the trials aftermath, which state developed and passed the first legislation to allow physicians to hire and use formerly trained physician assistants in their practices?
A
California
B
North Carolina
C
West Virginia
D
Washington
Question 23 Explanation: 
WhittakerShasta County, California v Whittaker is a seminal event that helped institutionalize the PA profession. The trial’s notoriety and adverse outcome for the defendants caught the national attention of many medical societies, medical boards, and individual physicians who supported the use of informally trained assistants to help reduce physicians’ workloads. In the end, many notable physicians rallied to the cause, and California’s health care professionals and politicians were prompted to become one of the first states to define the PA profession. People v. Whittaker: The Trial and its Aftermath in California
Question 24
Who served as Secretary of the Accreditation Review Committee on Educational Programs for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) from 1972 to 1991?
A
David L Glazer
B
Lawrence M. (Mac) Detmer
C
Donald W. Fisher
D
William D. Stanhope
Question 24 Explanation: 
Detmer001Lawrence M Detmer served as Secretary of the Accreditation Review Committee on Educational Programs for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) from 1972 to 1991 (when AAPA assumed responsibility for the administration of the ARC-PA). In this role he helped develop the initial policies and procedures used to accredit physician assistant programs based upon a set of Essentials. The Essentials were adopted by the American Medical Association's (AMA) House of Delegates in December 1971 upon recommendation of several medical specialty societies composed of a sufficient number of physicians providing primary patient care.

Biography:

Lawrence (Mac) Detmer

Question 25
Who is the first woman and first African American woman to become a physician assistant?
A
Ruth Webb
B
Brenda Jasper
C
Peggy Valentine
D
Joyce Nichols
Question 25 Explanation: 
joyceNicholsJoyce Nichols is the first woman to be formally educated as a physician assistant (PA). She also happens to be the first African-American woman to practice as a PA. Nichols was working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Duke University when Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr. established his 2-yr PA educational program in 1965. She learned about the program from a former Navy corpsman who worked with her in the cardiac unit. The program was originally designed to build on the past experience and training of ex-military corpsmen. Thus, Nichols had to overcome a number of obstacles to gain entrance into the program. She was a woman; she did not have a corpsmen background; she was an African-American; and she had little money to pay for her education. However she was persistent and gradually won the faculty’s confidence and support. She entered and graduated from the Duke PA Program in 1970.

Biography:

Joyce Nichols

Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect. Get Results
There are 25 questions to complete.
←
List
→
Return
Shaded items are complete.
12345
678910
1112131415
1617181920
2122232425
End
Return
You have completed
questions
question
Your score is
Correct
Wrong
Partial-Credit
You have not finished your quiz. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost.
Correct Answer
You Selected
Not Attempted
Final Score on Quiz
Attempted Questions Correct
Attempted Questions Wrong
Questions Not Attempted
Total Questions on Quiz
Question Details
Results
Date
Score
Hint
Time allowed
minutes
seconds
Time used
Answer Choice(s) Selected
Question Text
All done
Need more practice!
Keep trying!
Not bad!
Good work!
Perfect!

So how did you fare?  Post your score in the comments section below, and I will send the first three commenters a FREE copy of our new ebook "How to Write Your PA School Personal Statement"... A $15 value!

The Physician Assistant An Illustrated HistoryIf you want to learn all about the PA profession (which you should, especially if you have an upcoming PA school interview), make sure to spend some time at the Physician Assistant History Society Website, take in some PA History video at PAFLIX or purchase The Physician Assistant: An Illustrated History on Amazon. It will blow the socks of the admissions committee if you show up with this one under your arm! This may be the best $15 you ever spend 🙂

Check out The Physician Assistant: An Illustrated History

Have a beautiful day!

Stephen Pasquini PA-C

You may also like -

  • How Much Money do Physician Assistants (PAs) Make?How Much Money do Physician Assistants (PAs) Make? Physician Assistant Salary and Compensation "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill How Much do PAs Make? According to the latest NCCPA data, the average salary of certified PAs in […]
  • The Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview QuestionsThe Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview Questions Physician Assistant school interviews are extremely challenging. Here is a comprehensive list of 46 high-frequency pa school interview questions that you are likely to encounter. This list of the "Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant […]
  • Podcast Episode 85: Ten Mixed Multiple Choice QuestionsPodcast Episode 85: Ten Mixed Multiple Choice QuestionsWelcome to episode 85 of the Audio PANCE and PANRE PA Board Review Podcast. Join me as I cover ten PANCE and PANRE Board review questions from the SMARTYPANCE course content following the NCCPA™ content blueprint (download the FREE […]
Share
Pin
Tweet
Share
Reddit
Email

Download Your FREE 300 PA School Interview Questions and Answers Workbook

Sign up below to receive your free 65 page 300 PA school interview questions and answers workbook.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

CASPA Personal Statement Help

We offer comprehensive, start-to-finish personal statement assistance or help to perfect a draft you already have. We have services to fit every budget.

Personal Statement Editing

Schedule a Live Recorded PA School Video Interview

We offer 60-minute mock PA school interviews with post-interview feedback and advice. Includes a recorded video of your interview that you can watch, download, or share with family and friends. There is no better way to prepare!

Schedule an Interview

Pre-PA Consulting and Advising

Jennifer Crozier PA-COur pre-PA coaching service consists of a 1-hour phone consultation focused on addressing your specific questions or concerns about becoming a PA and applying to PA school.

PPre-PA Consulting and Advising

Download Your Free Copy Our How To Write Your PA School Essay Workbook

We created a free workbook to help you craft a personal statement that the admissions directors will be dying to read. Tell us where to send your free copy.

About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

A PA since 2004 and creator of The PA Life and Smarty PANCE Board Review websites. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one-of-a-kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all and foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

Previous Post: « Pulmonology 1: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Podcast Topic Specific Review Episode 29
Next Post: Gastroenterology 1: The Audio PANCE and PANRE Podcast Topic Specific Review Episode 31 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bellene (Billie) Racowsky says

    December 3, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    I got a 60% which isn’t too good since I lived thru most of that history. Fun to take and read the answers – thanks for taking the time to do this.
    Billie

    Reply
  2. Shadai says

    August 9, 2018 at 7:04 am

    Im 22 and was intrested in making PA my major i decided to take the quiz with basically no knowledge of it and scored a 61%

    Reply
  3. Sana says

    July 16, 2018 at 2:41 am

    I got 13/25! But I gotta say, I guessed some of them! Thanks for the posting the quiz!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      July 16, 2018 at 10:16 am

      Way to go… graded on the curve that definitely counts as an A+! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Naia says

    September 8, 2017 at 6:56 am

    48%!! Got some more to study!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      September 9, 2017 at 9:49 am

      Hi Naia, I think you still did better than most 🙂

      Reply
  5. Irina says

    August 7, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    I got 8 correct out of 25. Need to improve a lot 😊

    Reply
  6. Chelita says

    May 1, 2016 at 12:12 am

    I got 4 right

    Reply
  7. Raquel says

    April 12, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    6 correct at 53%. Since I am still in my BSHS, I have a little time to study 🙂

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      April 12, 2016 at 11:47 pm

      Not bad at all!!! I think the founders would be proud ?

      Reply
  8. Alex says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    I’m the 5th comment, 60 %.

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:10 am

      Hi Alex, 60% on the curve gives you an A++ ! Unfortunately, a couple other commenters beat you to the ebook, but I will do this again so stay tuned.. Thanks for taking the time to take the test and post your score!!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  9. Sarah says

    December 15, 2015 at 5:42 pm

    I got 80% 🙂 still could be better!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:08 am

      Hi Sarah, if the PA History society sees your score you just may get a job offer… Way to go! Unfortunately a couple other commenters beat you to the ebook, but I will do this again so stay tuned.. Thanks for taking the time to take the test and post your score!!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  10. John O says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:19 am

    Just 20%

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Great job John! Thanks for taking the time to take the quiz and post your score. Since I grade on a curve 20% is still a B+ 🙂 Way to go! I just sent over a copy of your free ebook to your email address, take care and have a great day!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  11. Sam R says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:42 am

    I got a 62% ! I definitely need to brush up on my PA history..

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Great job Sam! Thanks for taking the time to take the quiz and post your score. A 66% is going be hard to beat, I think you join the ranks of official PA historian 🙂 I just sent over a copy of your free ebook to your email address, take care and way to go!

      – Stephen

      Reply
  12. Maddie J says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:27 am

    I scored a 44%…. Looks like I need to brush up on my PA history!

    Reply
    • Stephen Pasquini PA-C says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Great job Maddie! Thanks for taking the time to take the quiz and post your score. I think a 44% is exceptional! I just sent over a copy of your free ebook to your email address, take care and have a great day.

      – Stephen

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

BOARD REVIEW THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND NOT YOUR BUDGET

Smarty PANCE Board ReviewJoin Now

Hi, I’m Stephen

I'm Stephen (about) (contact), a proud family practice PA of 14 years. My passion is helping PAs, PRE-PAs or students like yourself attain (or maintain) your dream of becoming a PA. Join our community of compassionate PAs who want to make a positive difference in the world!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Personal Statement Editing

We offer comprehensive, start-to-finish personal statement assistance or help perfecting a draft you already have. We have services to fit every budget.

Purchase a Revision

Pre-PA and CASPA Consulting

Our pre-PA coaching service consists of a one-hour phone consultation focused on addressing your specific questions or concerns about becoming a PA and applying to PA school. Learn More

Mock PA School Interviews

Why do you want to be a PA? We have helped 100's of PA school applicants just like you answer this question. We offer affordable, recorded online interviews with an unprecedented chance for self-critique, with feedback and advice from our team of top PA school admissions experts.

Schedule a Mock Interview

Resume, CV and Cover Letter Editing

Don't send your Resume, CV or Cover Letter without a proper edit. We offer CV, Resume and Cover Letter revision specific to PAs, Pre-PAs and PA students. Make your CASPA resume shine!

Resume Revision

Featured Post

How Much Money does a Physician Assistant make

How Much Money do Physician Assistants (PAs) Make?

Physician Assistant Salary and Compensation "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill How Much do PAs Make? According to the … [Read More...] about How Much Money do Physician Assistants (PAs) Make?

Search, Organize, and Apply

Your search for the perfect PA program starts and ends here! Search, organize, apply, and always 100% FREE!

FREE PA Program Match

Popular Posts

A Surgeon Speaks: 7 Reasons Why You Should Choose PA Over MDA Surgeon Speaks: 7 Reasons Why You Should Choose PA Over MD4K Total Shares
Physician Assistant vs. Nurse Practitioner vs. Medical DoctorPhysician Assistant vs. Nurse Practitioner vs. Medical Doctor3K Total Shares
Why my Wife is Happy I am a Physician Assistant and not an MDWhy my Wife is Happy I am a Physician Assistant and not an MD3K Total Shares
Infographic: PA VS MD Understanding the DifferencesInfographic: PA VS MD Understanding the Differences3K Total Shares
How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application EssayHow to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay3K Total Shares
The Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview QuestionsThe Top 46 Physician Assistant Applicant Interview Questions3K Total Shares
Scholarships, Grants and Loan Repayment Programs for Physician AssistantsScholarships, Grants and Loan Repayment Programs for Physician Assistants2K Total Shares
Where PAs and Physician Associates Can Work InternationallyWhere PAs and Physician Associates Can Work Internationally2K Total Shares
20 Answers to The Question: Why Do You Want to be a Physician Assistant?20 Answers to The Question: Why Do You Want to be a Physician Assistant?2K Total Shares
Who Gets Into PA School? Here’s What You Need to KnowWho Gets Into PA School? Here’s What You Need to Know2K Total Shares
PA School Ranking by PANCE Pass RatesPA School Ranking by PANCE Pass Rates2K Total Shares
Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?2K Total Shares
What are the Best PA Schools? Physician Assistant School RankingsWhat are the Best PA Schools? Physician Assistant School Rankings1K Total Shares
300 PA School Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer300 PA School Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer1K Total Shares
The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal StatementThe #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement1K Total Shares

Recent Posts

  • PA School Supplemental Essay Strategies (Webinar Replay)
  • Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews
  • How to Write Your CASPA COVID-19 Optional Essay
  • Personal Statement Panel Review (Replay)
  • Ratatouille: A Pixar Recipe for PA School Personal Statement Success

Buy on Amazon

The Daily PANCE and PANRE

Sign Up, It's FREE!

Get 60 days of PANCE and PANRE Board Certified Review Questions and Answers delivered directly to your inbox. A new question is delivered daily with full explanations and answers. Sign up below and get started today.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

The Audio PANCE and PANRE

The Audio PANCE and PANRE Physician Assistant Boards Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes

Testimonials

I am so happy to have gone through this editing process! I did not think you would take so much time to not only give me great feedback but also to edit and revise my paper like you did. I am so happy with my new revised paper and will definitely tell my friends!

Eric, Pre-PA

The edits I received were extremely helpful and insightful. I think they really brought my essay to the next level, and I am thrilled with the outcome. Thank you!!

Kelsey, Pre-PA

I wanted to update you and say I’ve been accepted into two programs (waiting for two more responses) with Jefferson University (my program of choice) being one of them. Thank you for all your help and your tips and for making this a genuinely joyful 2022!

Yejin (Future PA)

This experience was great. They took my essay and gave great constructive comments that made it an even better essay. Very fast and efficient process.

Gabby, Pre-PA

We worked on my essays back in summer and oh, how much work it was! But it all paid off because I just got accepted into the school of my first choice! Thank you so much for your time and dedication to my success. I will also be glad to recommend your services to other pre-PA students at my school!

Jennifer, H Pre-PA

I have used The PA Life services throughout my application process this year and I am 100% satisfied! Sarah helped me with my personal statement and mock interviewing. As a second time applicant, she really helped me strengthen my statement to convey my story of why I wanted to be a PA. I felt very confident in submitting my statement thanks to her review and was later invited for my first interview! The mock interview service was EXTREMELY helpful. Sarah provided excellent feedback during our session on how I could better rephrase my responses to make them stronger, but still, sound natural and true to myself. The session eased a lot of the interview nerves I had that come interview day I felt pretty confident. I’m proud to say that after my first interview, I was accepted! Thank you, Sarah, for all of your help throughout my PA journey!

Amanda B, Pre-PA

Thank you for taking the time to edit my paper! The feedback was constructive and very helpful. I liked how you highlighted all the strong points in my essay. It made me feel reassured that my essay was heading in the right direction. I also liked how you told me exactly what I needed to add to make it stronger.

Juliana, Pre-PA

Sue was amazing! She was very quick at replying to my emails and looking over my paper and application. She was so helpful and has a way with words. I know I will continue to use her services throughout my application process!

Miranda, Pre-PA

This was the most amazing experience! I felt so confident about my topic and essay after our meeting. Duke got back to me quickly and worked around my crazy schedule. The editing of the essay was professional and gave me insight I could not have received any other way. I only applied to one school because it is really the one I would like to go to the most and I got an interview!!! Thank you so much for all of your help!

Kathryn R, PA-S

I submitted my application this morning so I am not able to answer if I received an interview yet but I am THRILLED that I found this service. Sarah has been such a blessing working on my personal statement with me. She took my ideas and mediocre paper and turned it into a beautifully written story about my life. She helped me write exactly what I wanted to say and guided me with how to say it. I would recommend, without reservation, this service to anyone who is applying to PA school. I am one hundred times more confident about applying knowing my personal statement is exactly where it needs to be. Instead of feeling stressed and overwhelmed when I submitted my application this morning, I had complete peace. Thank you, for being a shining light full of kindness to applicants like myself.

Savannah, Pre-PA

Thank you so much for making the personal statement process less stressful! Although I had been planning and brainstorming for months, the process of writing my journey in 5,000 characters was just daunting and overwhelming. Thank you so much for your kindness, flexibility, and your patience that helped me through this process. I appreciate how you listened and incorporated my feedback to make my personal statement a work of art that is truly representative of ME! I would highly recommend your services to any aspiring PA students who feel lost or overwhelmed by the process. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Cintia, Pre-PA

This service was very helpful. My essay was edited and returned to me within a few days of me submitting it. The feedback was thorough and detailed. I am already planning on sending my essay for a second edit!

Sabrina, Pre-PA

My editor with The PA Life was a grammar goddess! She provided amazing feedback and was quick with responding back to any emails, questions, and concerns!

Saniha, Pre-PA

I love Deanna! She was incredibly helpful and encouraging. I liked the way she constructively gave me feedback and I liked her ability to really strengthen my own ideas instead of dismissing them like other services. She is amazing at seeing things from different angles and that way rearrange and enhance my narrative. I did get an interview from the top choice and an offer a week later. Thank you so much and I will definitely recommend ThePALife to future prePAs.

Klam, Pre-PA

I just wanted to reach out an let you that I actually got into PA school this year! Out of the 10 programs I applied to, 4 offered me interviews. The first interview wound up being my top choice and they offered me a spot. I accept and declined all my other interviews. So I am absolutely overjoyed!! I wanted to let you know though. Your editing and help, no doubt, helped me get through the initial phase. Thank you so much! I am truly grateful.

Deanna, Pre-PA

Sue was a huge help with my essay. Her edits made my essay sound much better grammatically and she pointed out some content problems I completely missed. She prompted me to write a few more paragraphs before her edit and added the information into my essay. That made a big difference. She was very knowledgable about what PA programs were looking for. I am really happy with your service. Worth every penny, THANKS!

Megan Stephenson, Pre-PA

I loved this service!!

Madeleine Zeichner, Pre-PA

The edit that I received from Sue was exactly what I was hoping for. She was able to tighten up my draft beyond my personal skill level and made edits that I was would have never thought to make. She has definitely made my personal statement stronger. Thank you, Sue!

Ethan, Pre-PA

My editor was Beth, and she blew my expectations out of the water. She got back to me within 24 hours of submitting my request for edits and helped me so much with the edits she made. If I receive an interview, I am excited to use PA Life to help me with mock interviews.

Haley, Pre-PA

Your services have eased the stress and anxiety that results from guessing whether or not your essay contains the content that many PA programs are looking for. Your services were prompt and genuine. It is clear that you have the applicant’s success at heart. Thank you!

Madison Pre-PA

My editor with The PA Life was amazing! I will definitely suggest these services to anyone else applying to PA school. Thank you for everything!

Margarita, Pre-PA

Deanna gave me excellent feedback on my personal statement, and I couldn’t be more grateful. She was very articulate and gave examples for me to work with on the rewrite. What I struggled with most was the organization of my writing, and Deanna helped me structure my paper so that it was easy to read. I would 100% recommend this service to a friend applying to PA school. Thank you so much!

Daniela, Pre-PA

I am amazed by what Deanna was able to do in helping me get my supplemental essays in shape. I had hit a serious roadblock and she was able, and in an incredibly quick manner, help me remove those blocks. I am very grateful!

Lily, Pre-PA

This was a very quick service and the attention to detail and response time was amazing. I thank you for having a service like this and am so happy I decided to go with the PA Life!!

Rachel, Pre-PA

Duke and I worked really well together. Seeing my first draft in comparison to my final draft was like night and day. I really appreciate all the help!

Kenzi H. Pre-PA

The feedback that I received through The PA Life editing service was more detailed than I expected! It gave me a clear idea of what direction I need to take in regard to my personal statement. I absolutely loved the edits!

Crystal, Pre-PA

I just wanted to share that I got into USC! Woohoo!!! They just called me to share the good news. I’m feeling pretty shocked since that interview did not go as well in my head. I can’t believe I got into school during my first round of applications. This would not have been possible without you, and I really appreciate all the support you gave me throughout this process. 😊

Tiffany, PA-S

So far, I’ve received 3 interview invites from Chapman, Drexel, and Tufts!!! I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Sarah for polishing my PS, supplemental essays and giving me lots of awesome tips for my upcoming interviews!!!

Audrey, Pre-PA

Sarah was a joy to work with! She was extremely helpful and patient with any questions I had for her! 10/10 recommend using this service!

Lori, Pre-PA

Duke really pushed me to write from the heart and explore my true reasons for applying to PA school.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I haven’t yet received an interview, but my fingers are crossed!

Emily P. Pre-PA

My editor did an excellent job with my essays. I struggle with writing emotionally and she took my material and really personalized it. I feel very confident sending in my essays after having her look at them. She promptly returned my essays and did a stellar job. Thank you!

Danielle, Pre-PA

Sue did a wonderful job. I know this is an extremely busy time of year as CASPA is accepting applications and Sue was great about responding to my initial submission and getting back to me. She provided thoughtful feedback and quality editing. Fingers crossed for an acceptance to PA school!

Jo Lynn, Pre-PA

I just wanted to let you know that the majority of my interviews have gone really well! So far, I’ve received six interview invites and have interviewed for five schools. Midwestern (AZ) just got back to me a bit ago, and they sent me an acceptance email! I am beyond thrilled! I just wanted to thank you so much for your help! Your mock interview gave me a lot of confidence that I was able to carry into my interviews! I appreciated having the opportunity to practice my interview skills with you. I wanted to let you know just how much you’ve helped me with my application process (with my interviews, personal statement, and just my confidence in general)! Thank you so much for all of the advice over the past few months!

Sneh, PA-S

I really needed help with my personal statement. I wrote many copies and finally sent my favorite to the PA life to get some assistance editing. I thought I would have a hard time with the constructive criticism because I spent so much time already on my writing, but the editors were great in suggesting edits and why as well as complimenting appropriately. I’m very proud of my end product and am excited to send it to PA schools. I haven’t finalized my application yet but will definitely let the PA life know if and when I get an interview (or hopefully 2)! 🙂

Bailey B. Pre-PA

Susan did a fantastic job of editing my essay! She guided me and gave me suggestions for strengthening certain sections and equally took out weak parts. After I followed her recommendations, I really felt like I had an essay where every sentence mattered and reflected who I was. Thank you so much Susan for your help. I feel that I have a stronger essay because of your honest feedback and your help!

Amanda, Pre-PA

I wanted to let you know I got accepted into the PA program at Mercy College and have another interview at Pace University PA program next week. Thank you so much for guiding me through this process. I just want you to know I really appreciate the time you put into working with me.

Alex (Future PA)

I’m emailing you to let you know that I received an acceptance call yesterday! It’s my first cycle applying so I’m still in shock. This may sound weird to say, but you have been a part of my journey since the beginning when I was trying to figure out how to write my personal statement, to practicing for the interview that led to my acceptance. I genuinely believe that I would not have been accepted into the program if it weren’t for you.

Anthony, PA-S

I wanted to tell you that I interviewed with MEDEX on Friday, got the call yesterday that I’m accepted! I also interviewed with Pacific University on and I felt that went VERY well too. I should hear from them any day now. I will keep you in the loop. I appreciate all your help and support!

Norah, PA-S

Deanna was so amazing! She was really thorough and strengthened my essay in one edit! I feel so confident submitting my essay and I have high hopes for interviews! Thank you for providing these services to those of us with stories that need help being told. I would definitely recommend this service to everyone who wants to apply to PA school!

Valeria, Pre-PA

I am happy to provide an update. I received 5 acceptances for this cycle and will be attending Rush University PA Program starting in May 2022. Of course, I definitely have Sarah Schultz and Deanna Matzen from The PA Life to thank for their incredible help with my personal statement, instilling confidence in my ability to interview, and providing me with a lot of advice in this very difficult cycle.

Bristi (Future PA)

Deanna was an amazing editor and provided wonderful feedback to my personal statement. I was very hesitant and nervous prior to approaching an editing service, but I do not have any regrets. Deanna not only critiqued my personal statement, but also gave guidance and reasoning behind her critiques. I now feel confident and excited to fully present my self on paper to admissions. I highly recommend her and the services provided for any future applicant. I hope to receive an interview and acceptance this year for next fall. Thank you!

Alexis, Pre-PA

Carly is absolutely amazing, and I would recommend her to everyone. She was very helpful and supportive with her edits and why she recommended certain changes. She is amazing, and she helped me tell my story.

Peter, Pre-PA

I just wanted to email you and let you know that 3 weeks post-interview with Gannon, I was accepted into the class of 2023! I am so excited and thrilled and I know that your help, helped me. So, thank you!

Cailin, PA-S

I just wanted to share some amazing news with you! I have been accepted into the MEDEX PA program in Seattle!!! I can’t thank you enough for all your help!! I am beyond excited and still can’t believe it is actually happening! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!!!! 😀

Pavitra, PA-S

Sue was extremely prompt and thoughtful in providing her comments, edits, and revisions. My essay had a good start but she helped me write it with admissions committees in mind. I will keep you updated on if I get interview invitations.

Kirsten, Pre-PA

I have never used a service like this before. All I can say is that I wish I had discovered it sooner 😀

Rebecca G. PA-S

I was very pleased with this service. Writing has never been my strongest area. While I had the ideas that I wanted to convey I wasn’t able to articulate them as well as I’d hoped. Carly provided comments and suggestions without altering my central thesis. Any questions that I had were answered quickly and thoroughly. Any grammatical mistakes were also addressed which put my mind at ease. I would recommend The PA Life personal statement essay revision service to anyone applying.

Keith G, Pre-PA

I worked closely with Duke and Sue for the revisions on my personal statement. They must have edited my original version half a dozen times before they felt it was good enough to send off and never made it seem like an inconvenience. They always responded to my e-mails within a 24-hour time frame but usually got back to me within a few hours. I am very pleased with how my personal statement turned out thanks to all of their time, ideas and direction. The service the PA Life provides is well worth the money spent!

Personal Statement Collaborative

Michelle Murphy, Pre-PA

Deanna was very opening to helping me with my essay. Although I had the material, the way she edited gave it a very nice and easy flow for the reader. She gave me her critical suggestions and comments that I would have otherwise missed. I am so glad I chose The PA Life revision services for my personal statement for PA school.

Yana, Pre-PA

The service provided was excellent. I really appreciate Duke taking the time and reviewing my essay multiple times and at that same time, making sure I am comfortable with the wording. Thank you for all your help!

Foram Patel, Pre-PA

Lisa Tepper reviewed my personal statement and her edits were incredibly helpful. By asking me many specific questions and responding to my answers, she helped me add much-needed context to my personal stories that I didn’t even realize was missing. And she made a few subtle suggestions in my conclusion that really tied the essay altogether. I am very pleased with how my essay turned out and it is such a relief to turn in a statement that I am proud of.Thank you so much.

Kaitlin Emmerling, Pre-PA

I received an early acceptance! I just wanted to thank you so much for all your help. You are a pro and I’m so thankful for you! You helped me more than you’ll ever know! I’m so excited! You saved me!!!!

Shelly K. Pre-PA

I am very happy with your service and would highly recommend it to any PA applicant. Duke helped me to put my thoughts in order and to make significant changes. My personal statement sounds great and seems easy and interesting to read now.  He took a lot of time to explain his way of thinking and to understand what I am trying to say. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate what you are doing for others.

Olga N. Pre-PA

It was wonderful to work with The PA Life once again. I appreciated all of my editors’ feedback and creative writing style which was needed to keep the essay within the allowable character limit. I also appreciated how my editor, Sarah, took the time to discover more about me and worked to show those parts which I was unable to reflect myself. With Sarah’s help, the essay really came to life and was a true reflection of my work, personality, and aspiring goals. I’m grateful for all the work she put into helping me with this project!

Jacob, Pre-PA

I am very pleased with the services provided! I received an email almost immediately upon submitting my essay for review, and within 24 hours my essay review was completed. I would definitely recommend this service to any PA school applicant before they submit their essay to CASPA! Thank you for your help!

Hannah Watson, Pre-PA

I really appreciated Duke and his way of cutting out the unnecessary fluff in my essay. He was extremely helpful and helped steer me in the right direction to better my writing and make me a more competitive applicant. I am currently still applying to programs and will notify you guys once I get an invitation!

Ani S. Pre-PA

I can not speak highly enough of Sarah. She was extremely helpful and easy to work with. I think she did an especially admirable job packaging the message I was trying to get across in my essay in a concise format that flows smoothly. Thank you again!

Ian, Pre-PA

It was an absolute pleasure working with Sarah. She was prompt to respond, professional, and kind. Sarah is an excellent writer. I was consistently impressed with her edits and suggestions for my personal statement. After working with Sarah I feel confident that my final essay will be well-received schools and help me stand out as a candidate.

Leah, Pre-PA

Carly was helpful and gave insightful comments while helping me to create more impact within my sentences. I feel confident and at ease knowing that my supplemental application has been reviewed in a thorough manner. Thank you for all your help!

Mina, Pre-PA

A couple of months ago you worked with me on improving my personal statement. I wanted to reach out and let you know that it worked out! I got 5 interviews and so far have been accepted to 2. I am so so thankful for all your help as I don’t think it would have worked out without your amazing editing skills. Thank you for all you do! Not just me but for all the applicants you helped get accepted this year!

Matthew B. PA-S

SUPER friendly and so helpful! I would recommend this service to everyone if I could 🙂

Gabby, Pre-PA

Sue was awesome and ensured I received my edited version of the essay in a timely manner. The editing was above exceptional and exceeded my expectations. Thanks so much!! You guys are awesome!

HK, Pre-PA

Carly did an absolutely amazing job editing my essays. From my personal statement to my supplementals, she was thorough and methodically made them into stronger essays. I am glad I was able to work with her. With her edits, I am more confident about the essays I am submitting. I would gladly recommend her to anyone!

Jacob, PRE-PA

I owe you a lot! Thank you so much for helping me in this important process. God bless you.

Catalina, Pre-PA

Sue did a wonderful job. I know this is an extremely busy time of year as CASPA is accepting applications and Sue was great about responding to my initial submission and getting back to me. She provided thoughtful feedback and quality editing. Fingers crossed for an acceptance to PA school!

Jo Lynn, Pre-PA

I wanted to reach out and thank you for all of your help throughout my entire application process — your words, advice, and support made a world of a difference to me, and I’m sure everyone who has had the pleasure of working with you feels the exact same way. I thought I’d let you know that after my Stanford and Duke interviews over the past couple of weeks, I received acceptance to both programs! I’m still on cloud 9 and I don’t believe I’ll be coming down anytime soon. And as of early this week, I officially committed to Stanford University’s PA program and I begin in August!!! Thank you again for everything you’ve done to help!

Celine, PRE-PA

Deanna was professional, prompt, and easy to talk to. I truly enjoyed working with her one-on-one for my personal statement. Her suggestions elevated my writing, and I appreciate all the work she put in my essay.

Jamie, Pre-PA

This is my second time using this editing service and I am highly satisfied with the results! Sarah Schultz worked with me on both my personal statement and a supplemental essay, both times providing excellent advice and editing on my papers. It was a pleasure working with her, and I look forward to hearing back from programs soon to see if I receive an invitation for an interview.

Sarah, Pre-PA

The comments and edits made by Sue are exceptional! They’ve helped a lot in terms of helping me express my thoughts more clearly and effectively. It felt as if she was there with me, reading my thoughts and helping me with the entire process in person!

Amy, Pre-PA

I am very thankful for all of the work and time invested in me.  I learned incredible amounts from Duke about writing. Though some of it didn’t make sense to me, I knew he was right and I learned to trust him. He helped me more than any of the other dozen people I had trusted with my essay. This is such a big part of my future and my dreams and I honestly appreciate all of his work to help me get in. Thank you, Duke.

Andrew N. Pre-PA

Deanna (my editor at The PA Life) is the GOAT. She went so far above and beyond all my expectations. My jaw was on the floor reading my personal statement after she worked on it.

Austin, Pre-PA

Sarah was absolutely wonderful. She not only helped take my personal statement to the best level, but she also made it easy to understand why certain changes were better. In the end, she went through and used a highlighting method to show how we connected things to PA and skills that were good. This made it easier to visualize everything. I’d recommend Sarah to anyone applying to PA school that needs that extra push on their personal statements.

Taylor, Pre-PA

Susan did a fantastic job of editing my essay! She guided me and gave me suggestions for strengthening certain sections and equally took out weak parts. After I followed her recommendations, I really felt like I had an essay where every sentence mattered and reflected who I was. Thank you so much Susan for your help. I feel that I have a stronger essay because of your honest feedback and your help!

Patrick, Pre-PA

I just want to thank you again so much for being so awesome and helping me perfect my statement. I promised you that I would let you know if I got into any programs, and I was offered interviews at all the five universities I applied to. And I got offered positions at my top two school choices shortly after I interviewed. I am so ecstatic to say that I will be going to my number one school choice. I know multiple factors contributed to this opportunity being offered to me and the personal statement was surely a big one. Thank you so much for all that you do. It was really a great investment to have you edit my paper. I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day!

Elisa, PA-S

I just want to let you know I received multiple interview invitations and got my first acceptance a few weeks ago! I am still preparing for more interviews, but at this point, I am pretty certain I will be going to Midwestern University, and I think so much of my success with applications is because of your help with my personal statement. Because of this, I wanted to reach out and say THANK YOU! I really appreciate your support and I would definitely recommend this service to anyone applying to PA school 🙂

Alli Cowan, Pre-PA

Sarah was beyond amazing, she was always on time with my essay edits, took the time needed to really listen to what I had to say. Sarah pretty much transformed my essay form caveman style to an easy, awesome flow good content easy and fun to read essay. I am very thankful for her collaboration, I could not have done anything that resembles her quality of work. Thanks a million!!!!

Jerry C, Pre-PA

Sue is so incredibly kind! I needed so much help on cleaning up my personal statement and overall flow of the writing. She provided great insights and explanation.

Laila, Pre-PA

Sarah Schultz was a great editor and was easy to communicate with. She answered my emails very promptly and made great suggestions while also helping me cut down and condense my essay to be in the character limit. She made me feel more confident in my work and helped me develop an essay that I am proud of. I would definitely use this service again!

Katie, Pre-PA

Carly was extremely prompt and helpful! She helped edit my personal statement into something that I am extremely confident applying with!

Danielle, Pre-PA

Sarah is the best! She gets me and puts all her efforts for my message to come across in a clear and concise way. Obviously, her editing skills are superb! But she also has a very sweet and pleasant way of being. I highly recommend Sarah and the PA Life Personal Statement Collaborative. I have not yet received an interview, but keeping my fingers crossed!

Raquel Poliwoda Pre-PA

Sarah helped to condense my detailed thoughts into a powerful essay. Over the phone, she was careful to collaborate with me before making any changes so that the piece remained under my control and in my voice. She served as a guide and insured the essay brought out my strengths and reasons for pursuing the PA profession. Overall, I’m incredibly happy with the service!

Julie, Pre-PA

Sarah is amaaaaaaaaaaazing!! She is super kind and helpful. My original essay was very long at about 9,000 characters and I had no idea how to trim it down. Sarah helped me decide what to include and eliminate from my personal statement while correcting many of my grammatical errors. She was a complete professional and very easy to work with. I would recommend Sarah and The PA Life personal statement revision service to everyone, they are absolutely wonderful!

Fariha, Pre-PA

This was even more helpful than I anticipated! I am someone who finds it very hard to let others read my writing because it feels too personal. This made it much easier to let someone edit for me and all the suggestions provided really helped me pull together the parts I was struggling with. I would highly recommend this editing service to anybody who is having trouble strengthening their essay!

Lindsey C, Pre-PA

Carly took the time to listen to my concerns about my personal statement and apply them to what I had already written. I was so appreciative as I wasn’t sure where my personal statement stood before submitting it. I now feel more confident in my statement!

Chelsea, Pre-PA

Carly did a fantastic job helping my personal statement create fluid and concise writing to help convey my experience! I highly recommend using this service even if you think your statement is solid because they will help make it better than you could have imagined! Thank you for everything.

Kelsey, Pre-PA

Duke is great! I had such a great time with him editing my personal statement. So glad I found this site!

Melissa Nicole Aguilera, Pre-PA

Carly was excellent! She was very quick to provide edits and did a thorough job. She really helped me with the flow of my essay. I will be sure to let you know if I receive any interview invitations. Well worth the money! I feel confident in my essay.

Casey, Pre-PA

I have been accepted to my first-choice program!! UC Denver, I don’t have to move! I have also received three other interviews so far. Thank you so much for your help with my personal statement. You eloquently helped me state my desires and strengths for the career. I am beyond thrilled and thankful.

Nika (Future PA)

I just wanted to let you know I got accepted to Yale!!!! I’m so pumped. I can’t wait to talk more in-depth with you about my experience. For now I just wanted to say thank you!!!! You really were SO helpful.

James Hennessy, PA-S

I had an excellent experience with this service. Deanna was thorough, attentive to my essay, and very easy to contact. She did a great job and I would highly recommend this service to anyone.

Grant, Pre-PA

This service was invaluable – I felt decent about my essay, but it’s remarkably better. I appreciate the level of detail and courtesy even with my discounted rate. You guys are too great!

Taylor Hamstra, Pre-PA

Sarah was a tremendous help to me and provided me with thoughtful edits that really made my personal statement stand out from the crowd. She was very easy to work with and really seems to care about each of her clients. I really enjoyed working with her and highly recommend her as an editor. As of today, I have 3 interviews scheduled, including one at my top choice school! Thank you!

Andrew, Pre-PA

Thank you so much for your assistance with perfecting my personal statement. This service is truly helpful. They were able to easily edit and help to convey exactly what was in my heart onto paper. I was accepted to my first choice PA program this week!!

Vincent, PA-S

Deanna’s edits and feedback were stunningly thorough and exact, and her revision was more than I could have hoped for! I am very grateful for her patience and encouragement. I cannot recommend her service highly enough in return for her help and support.

Angela, Pre-PA

Sue was very attentive to details and her comments and edits made a perfect sense. Thank you for your help!

Margaryta, Pre-PA

Your service was able to help me figure out exactly what I needed to include, what did not belong and helped me display my experiences the best way possible to form a great essay. Carly was able to help me create my best essay by just editing the order and grammar without changing much of any of my written work. I am very happy with how my essay turned out. Definitely worth the money, thank you for all your help!

Nicolas, Pre-PA

Really great service, definitely worth the money! I am very pleased with the amount of work that went into editing my paper and giving reasons as to why sentences or paragraphs were changed around. Carly did an amazing job!

Christina, Pre-PA

I just wanted to give you an update! So far I have had two interviews and been accepted to both! I have three more interviews scheduled as of right now, and still waiting to hear from a handful of schools. Thank you so much for all of your help with my essay!

Jennifer Bidwell, PA-S

Really helpful! Makes me feel confident.

Qui T. Pre-PA

Thank you so much for your help with my personal statement. The process was everything I could have wanted and more. You were wonderful to work with and I appreciate very much how you were able to connect to my personal experiences and combine that with the traits that you know make a statement successful. I have applied to my first two PA schools and I owe a big part of that to you! Once again, Thank you very much!

Louis T. Pre-PA

Testimonials

Duke really pushed me to write from the heart and explore my true reasons for applying to PA school.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I haven’t yet received an interview, but my fingers are crossed!
Emily P. Pre-PA
I love your site and think that it is the most enjoyable studying resource that I have use so far.
David PA-S
I just wanted to let you know I got accepted to Yale!!!! I’m so pumped. I can’t wait to talk more in-depth with you about my experience. For now I just wanted to say thank you!!!! You really were SO helpful.
James Hennessy, PA-S
The service provided was excellent. I really appreciate Duke taking the time and reviewing my essay multiple times and at that same time, making sure I am comfortable with the wording. Thank you for all your help!
Foram Patel, Pre-PA
Thank you for helping me prepare for my interviews. Your feedback was really helpful. I got accepted to 2 programs. Once again, Thank You!
Abiel, Pre-PA
About a year ago you helped edit my personal statement to get into PA school! I just wanted to let you know that I got interviews and was accepted to all the schools I applied to! I have decided to attend UAB in the fall! Thank you again for all your help!
Lauren Smith, PA-S
I am so excited that I must share the amazing news I’ve got- I got accepted to physician assistant program at USC! I couldn’t be happier after this long journey of 6 years of hard work until this moment. I wanted to thank you so much for your help and advice. I appreciate your help so much.
Ravit Zargar Azizi, PA-S
I read my personal statement again today and got the chills. I am so happy with it and just wanted to thank you for all your help with my PA school essay!
Mikaela, Pre-PA
I am pleased to tell you that I have been accepted to PA school, starting in 2-weeks.😀 I appreciate everything you have done for me, from helping with my personal statement to preparing me for interviews. You have been with me since the beginning of the application process and I really wanted to thank you.
Shane, Pre-PA
I just wanted to update you. I have had two interviews so far (the third got rescheduled for later) and got into both schools (Midwestern and Nashville)! Thank you again for all of your help. This mock interview prompted me to prepare more specific and relevant answers, which I think made a difference in my interviews.
Leah, PA-S

Footer Lab Values

Lab Values:  Page 1   Page 2   Academy Homepage   Feedback and Support   Smarty PANCE

Smarty PANCE is now part of The PANCE and PANRE Academy!

The PANCE and PANRE Academy

One-On-One Live PA School Mock Interview

Schedule a Mock PA School Video Interview We offer live 45-minute mock PA school interviews with post-interview feedback and advice. Includes a recorded video of your interview that you can watch, download or share with family and friends. Be ready for any interview scenario.

Schedule Appointment

Find HCE Opportunities

Yellow background video interview

Schedule a One-On-One Live Mock PA School Video Interview

We offer 45-minute mock PA school interviews with post-interview feedback and advice. Includes a recorded video of your interview that you can watch, download or share with family and friends. There is no better way to prepare!
Schedule Appointment

Yellow background video interview

Schedule a One-On-One Live Mock PA School Video Interview

We offer 45-minute mock PA school interviews with post-interview feedback and advice. Includes a recorded video of your interview that you can watch, download or share with family and friends. There is no better way to prepare!
Schedule Appointment

Board review that will blow your mind, not your budget!

Join Now

OLD THEME ACADEMY MENU

Lab Values:  Page 1   Page 2    Academy  Homepage    Board Review Podcast    Free 60 Day Email Series

101 PA School Admission Essays

Admissions Directors Know What They Want. Shouldn't You? You’re slaving away at your personal statement, but can’t help wondering if anyone will read past the first line. A troubling thought, isn’t…

View Book

How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement

What Makes This Book Unique? We have worked with 1000’s of applicants through our Personal Statement and Essay Collaborative and have interviewed PA school faculty and Admissions Directors from 12…

View Book

Essay Review Service

  • PA School Essay Collaborative
  • 31 Sample PA School Essays

Useful Links

  • Recommended Reading
  • Support The PA Life
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Are you struggling to write your PA School Personal Statement?

We have options to fit every budget

Click Here To Get Started
  • Academy Log In
  • Testimonials
  • Mock Interviews
  • Essay Revision
  • Resume/CV Revision
  • Program Picker
  • Archive
  • About
  • Contact
  • Affiliate Portal

The PANCE and PANRE Academy

  • Academy Homepage
  • Home
  • Login

Made with in Santa Cruz, CA · Copyright © 2022 The PA Life, INC. · Terms & Conditions · Privacy Policy · Refund Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer

At THEPALIFE.com, we believe Black Lives Matter ✊🏿, No Human Is Illegal 🤝, Love Is Love 🏳️‍🌈, Women's Rights Are Human Rights 👩, Science Is Real 🔬, Water Is Life 🌊, Injustice Anywhere Is A Threat To Justice Everywhere ☮️