Fordham University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies recently unveiled plans to expand its Westchester campus to house a Master of Science in Physician Assistant (M.S. PA) studies program. The university is currently in the process of hiring a director for the program, as is highlighted in their job board. The director will advise and spearhead the program, develop and manage the program’s budget and hire a principal and other inaugural members of the faculty and staff.
The M.S. PA program is one of few in the West Harrison area where the Westchester campus is located. Other established programs include one at Pace University in Manhattan and Marist University in Poughkeepsie. It comes as part of a growing realignment effort by Fordham towards careers in STEM, which are in increasingly high demand in the workforce.
Physician Assistants work under the supervision and direction of a physician and can treat, diagnose and examine patients in a variety of specialties. The field is due to grow up to 28% in the next eight years, which is a faster rate than many other professions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Physician assistants also work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to outpatient and private practice offices, though around 54% of physician assistants work in the offices of physicians.
Fordham currently has a pre-health advising track for students interested in careers in medicine, which includes a physician assistant track. Other areas of interest include dental medicine, medical programs (M.D. or D.O.), optometry and pharmacy. One-to-one advising is also offered to students.
The job board description states that “the Program Director will build a sustainable program grounded in evidence-based medicine and best practices for clinical care with the goal of supporting the healthcare needs of the Bronx and Westchester County.”
The Westchester campus’ location near the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk makes it a good spot for the program. The campus is located just down the street from an outpatient center for Memorial Sloan Kettering, and just two and a half miles from White Plains Hospital.
The development of the program is in its early stages at the moment, so Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Anthony Davidson, who has a doctorate in management and systems science, was unable to comment formally on the hiring process.
“We are at a very early stage now, plus a lot of moving pieces involved including the hire of a director,” said Davidson.
Bob Howe, associate vice president for media & public relations, was also unable to comment at this time.
This is a developing story. Updates can be found at thefordhamram.com.
