The MEDEX Northwest Master of Clinical Health Services program trains you to become
a physician assistant (PA) — an essential role in team-based medicine.
The MEDEX Northwest physician assistant program is a partnership between ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô and the
University of Washington School of Medicine. The program trains current health care
professionals to become physician assistants (PAs) who can examine and treat patients,
diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications and perform other essential roles in medicine.
Physician assistants practice all aspects of medicine in collaboration with a physician.
They are highly-trained and versatile, and they have an important and growing role
in today’s health care system, where team-based care is more common than ever before.
PAs are especially critical in underserved communities and areas with a shortage of
health care professionals.
For current health professionals, becoming a physician assistant can be an expedient
and cost-effective way to enter the field of medicine. The rigorous MEDEX physician
assistant program is designed for individuals who already have significant experience
in direct patient contact, such as emergency medical technicians, nurses and medical
assistants. The average applicant has at least two and a half years of hands-on care
experience.
The MEDEX program focuses on Alaska’s unique health care environment, with special
emphasis on primary care and the needs of rural and underserved communities. As a
student, you’ll take courses inpatient management, behavioral medicine, maternal and
child health, and other topics that prepare you for skilled, compassionate medical
practice in Alaska’s communities.
As a graduate of the program, you’ll be qualified to take the NCCPA national certification
examination, and then to apply for state licensure. Licensed PAs practice in collaboration
with physicians in a wide range of settings, such as:
Hospitals
Private practices
Rehabilitation centers
Community health centers and tribal clinics
Physician assistants can also practice across a wide range of specializations, including:
Primary care/family practice
Pediatrics
General surgery and surgical specialties
Orthopedics
Dermatology
Occupational health
DEGREE INFORMATION
WHY CHOOSE Master of clinical health services AT ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô?
Gain real-world clinical experience in communities throughout Alaska.
Learn from expert PAs, physicians, and other health professionals.
Hone your skills in the College of Health's cutting-edge Simulation Center.
MSW student Keyshon China is dedicated to serving youth and underserved communities, gaining hands-on experience through ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô's School of Social Work and various extracurricular organizations.
College of Health students (Master of Social Work graduate Autumn Merrill, School of Nursing graduate Artie Gorash, Radiologic Technology graduate Agnes Brown, and dental program graduates) take part in Sunday’s ceremony.
Ever since she was six years old, Panikaa Teeple, B.S.W. Social Work ’21, knew that spreading love was her life’s purpose. Next year, Teeple will have the opportunity to spread love internationally as ²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô’s latest recipient of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant, which provides students in more than 140 countries the opportunity to pursue graduate study and research abroad.
²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô's School of Social Work received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to address the need for Alaska social workers in a K-12 setting. The School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development program (SSWEND) aims to graduate a cohort of 31 fellows by 2026 who will increase the amount of school-based mental health service providers in high-needs schools.
²ÊÉñvlllÕù°Ô Master of Social Work alumni Kim Kovol recently was appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy as acting commissioner of the new Alaska Department of Family and Community Services.
Message from the interim Director
At MEDEX Northwest, our values have informed our actions since we first opened our
doors in 1968. We exemplify professional excellence in PA education. We embrace the
importance of respect, openness, collaboration, integrity, and trust. And we build
a curriculum that is broad, competency-based, and focused on primary care with an
emphasis on underserved populations.Together,we work in service to our students, our community, and the program.