ATLANTA — Two students in Mercer University’s new physician assistant program have garnered scholarships from one of the leading foundations in the profession. The students, Quentin Farmer and Dannyelle Wilcox of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, were recently announced as winners of 2009 Physician Assistant Foundation Scholarship Program. The two are the first winners for the College, and both are members of the College’s first cohort of students, which began in January 2008
Out of more than 325 applicants nationwide from 63 physician assistant programs, Farmer and Wilcox were two of only 56 scholarship recipients. Selection of students for the Physician Assistant Foundation scholarships is based upon the student’s academic record, financial need, professional and community service, issues in health care and a final statement that talks about their clinical interests and how they would like to impact healthcare in their first years as a practicing physician assistant.
Farmer, of Peachtree City, earned his bachelor’s degree from North Georgia College and State University and is expected to graduate in 2010 from Mercer with a Master in Medical Sciences degree.
Wilcox, of Atlanta, earned her bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University, and is expected to graduate in 2010 from Mercer with a Master of Medical Sciences degree.
About the Physician Assistant Foundation:
As the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Physician Assistants the Physician Assistant Foundation’s mission is to foster knowledge and philanthropy that enhance the delivery of quality health care. The Physician Assistant Foundation has a variety of programs that support domestic and global community outreach projects. The Physician Assistant Foundation provides support for physician assistants and physician assistant students launching, supporting and maintaining innovative community programs to improve health and human conditions in underserved areas, and for initiatives that focus on service, education, and/or research. In addition, the Foundation supports physician assistant students through its annual scholarship program, and physician assistant doctoral candidates who are making a contribution to research on the influence of physician assistants in medical care.
About the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Mercer University:
Founded in 1903, the independent pharmacy school merged with Mercer University in 1959. In a bold leadership move, it became the first school in the Southeast to offer the doctor of pharmacy degree as its sole professional degree in 1981. In addition to the doctor of pharmacy degree, the college has one of the largest concentrations of Ph.D. students in pharmaceutics among colleges of pharmacy in the United States. In 2008, the college introduced a Physician Assistant program.
About Mercer University:
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University has approximately 7,600 students; 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies; major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah; three regional academic centers across the state; a university press; two teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center and the Medical Center of Central Georgia; educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta; an engineering research center in Warner Robins; a performing arts center in Macon; and a NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.
— 30 —
