PAS Department Represents at CCTS Conference
The Physician Assistant Studies Department (PAS) had a significant impact and presence at College of Health Sciences Research Day at the 20th annual Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Spring Conference, entitled “Pioneering Pathways: Innovative Trial and Design in Translational Science.”
“UK PA faculty, staff, and students were well-represented this year,” said Leslie Woltenberg, PhD and Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for the UK Department of Physician Assistant Studies. “Owning my bias, as the course director for the PAS 646 course (PA student masters projects) I particularly found the student research to be spectacular!”
- Ryan Hunton, DHSc, PA-C (Assistant Professor in PAS) was an invited speaker for CHS Research Day. He provided an engrossing talk about his research, which is focused on helping students develop differential diagnoses.
- Dr. Summer Xia (a Postdoc with PAS and Physical Therapy) and Professor Cheryl Vanderford (Assistant Professor in PAS) were invited to present their research on PA learner attitudes on utilization of artificial intelligence in learning psychiatric diagnoses.
- Professors Andy Williford and Hannah Anderson (both Assistant Professors in PAS) facilitated an interactive and engaging lab class during the morning session of the conference. Students from the Class of 2026 learned about and practiced ultrasound-guided paracentesis on high-fidelity models.
- The UK PA Class of 2026 students presented their Masters’ Research Projects. These 54 students represented 11 distinct research teams with their own research projects. Students, under the guidance of Course Director Dr. Woltenberg, worked collaboratively with UK PA Faculty on original research for a year.
“I’m incredibly proud of the UKPA Program’s strong presence at this year’s UK CCTS Research Conference,” said Kevin Schuer, PhD and director of the PAS program. “This event was truly amazing, and it was inspiring to see our faculty and students contribute through multiple high-quality presentations. Our program has had a valued, multi-year relationship with the CCTS, and their continued commitment to collaboration and innovation perfectly aligns with our mission of scholarly excellence."
“The students actively participated in an ultrasound-guided paracentesis procedural lab,” Professor Williford said. “They were able to effectively practice their skills in this hands-on activity and receive real-time feedback from the faculty facilitators. It was an excellent day for learning on multiple levels!”
“The UK PA Class of 2026 students presented outstanding research posters at the conference, highlighting the critical role of these master’s projects in learning and practicing evidence-based medicine,” Woltenberg said. “The CCTS Conference provided an excellent platform for the UK PA poster showcase, emphasizing the significant contributions PAs make in both clinical and research fields. I am incredibly proud of these exceptional students and deeply grateful for the support of our dedicated faculty research mentors.”
CHS students also found merit in the work.
“The confidence that you gain from completing the Master’s Research Project is invaluable,” said Sean Whitehouse, UK PA Class of 2026, Morehead Campus. “You will gain a better understanding of the community that you live in and how to have communication with them. The master’s project really puts into prospective that Healthcare is far more than what is happening inside the clinic doors.”
“The Master’s Research Project has provided me with invaluable experience in working collaboratively with peers to evaluate research articles on a challenging, yet engaging topic,” said Sam Lenox, UK PA Class 2026 on the Lexington Campus. “This process is essential for PA students, as it mirrors the teamwork and evidence-based approach seen in clinical practice. By developing skills in delegation, applying research to real-world medical issues, and fostering intellectual curiosity, this project has prepared me to contribute to a healthcare team that prioritizes informed, evidence-based, holistic patient care.”
