‘Trendsetting’ master of physician assistant studies program celebrates 15 years

The University of Manitoba’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program celebrated 15 years of innovative health-care education at a gala on April 24.

More than 170 people attended the event at The Gates On Roblin to mark over 15 years since the first MPAS class graduated in 2010.  

“The University of Manitoba (UM) has historically been the trendsetter and believer in physician assistants (PAs),” Rebecca Mueller, director of the MPAS program at the Max Rady College of Medicine, told the audience.  

“We continue to set that standard, including tonight. This is the first time ever in Canadian history that a university and community are taking time to celebrate a PA program and its PAs in the community.”

Manitoba has been at the forefront of integrating PAs into the health-care system and UM has been a leader in PA education.

In 1999, Manitoba became the first province to regulate and recognize PAs in Canada.

A new graduate-level PA program was proposed at UM in 2005, making it the first PA program proposed in Canada. In 2008, UM launched the first master’s level PA program in Canada. 

Past, present and future

Scott Naherniak, a member of the MPAS Class of 2012, shared his reflections with the audience on the beginnings of UM’s PA program.  

Naherniak said his first clinical experience was at a family medicine site, and the first question he was asked was, “Can you take a blood pressure?” Things have changed since the early days, he said.  

“We went from, ‘Can you take a blood pressure?’ to PAs managing complex patients across emergency rooms, surgical sites, primary care clinic specialties throughout Manitoba and beyond. We went from rotations where preceptors weren’t quite sure what to do with us, to professionals that physicians are actively seeking out as partners in care,” Naherniak said.

Mueller spoke about the MPAS program today and how it is continuing to innovate.  

Mueller told the audience about the MPAS Student Support Fund that was developed last year to support tuition relief for learners. And she said that national banks now recognize PA learners for professional student lines of credit.  

“That means we now have a program that is open to learners from all socio-economic backgrounds, which was not previously the case. So, Manitoba continues to be the trendsetter,” Mueller said.  

Steve Piotrowski, academic lead, MPAS, spoke about the future of the PA profession in Manitoba. He told the audience that the Canadian health-care system is in crisis and the solution isn’t a new technology, artificial intelligence or a billion-dollar infrastructure project.  

“The solution is already in this room,” Piotrowski said. “Physician assistants are trained, proven and ready. We work in emergency, surgery, internal medicine, mental health, rural health and primary care, just to name a few. We extend care without replacing it. We are collaborative by design. Built to work with the system, not around it.” 

Sharing a vision for growth

Minister of Advanced Education and Training Renée Cable gave opening greetings. She said it was an honour to be there to look at the current and future face of health care in Manitoba.

“I love PAs,” Cable said. “I need to get that out of the way, because you have no idea how much I think that the work that you do is incredible.”  

Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences), and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, congratulated everyone involved in the MPAS program and thanked Cable for helping to increase the class size in 2024 from 15 to 30 students.

“You shared our vision when we came to your office and talked about expanding this program – doubling it up – and I know that we’re in budget hard times coming out of COVID, but you saw the value of the investment, and it was not only just in the training spots, but you did give us capital as well,” Nickerson said.  

The gala’s master of ceremonies was Dana Conrad, clinical lead, MPAS. Dr. Amanda Condon, associate professor and head of the department of family medicine, gave opening remarks. 

Physician assistants make a difference  

Dr. Michael Benarroch, UM president and vice-chancellor, congratulated everyone involved with the MPAS program and shared a personal story. He said he accompanied his wife to the emergency department, and she saw a PA, who turned out to be a UM alum.  

“The care and treatment he provided was exactly what we needed at that time,” Benarroch said.  

“It sped up the process, gave my wife what she needed, and I went away with a personal experience of a great understanding of your contribution to our health-care system. And I was really proud as the president of the university.”