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PALLA Connect
September 2025
| Institutional Support Beyond the Budget-Building a Culture that Sustains Accreditation | |
While financial backing, such as covering licensure and certification, is a visible form of institutional support, the ARC-PA 6th Edition accreditation standards call for a structural and strategic commitment to sustaining high-quality PA education. True institutional support goes beyond funding; it includes protected time for leadership, access to professional development, collaborative governance, and a culture that values continuous improvement.
Meeting these standards is especially challenging amid faculty turnover and heavy workloads. According to the ARC-PA Based on data from the published ARC-PA accreditation actions, there have been 215 citations related to the A1 standards since the release of the 5th Edition with A1.02a and A1.02d cited most frequently, 36 and 28 times respectively (Accreditation Actions Summary, 2025) →. These citations highlight the need for institutions to provide support for program leadership and staffing, including the requirement that program directors receive substantial time and protected effort for administrative responsibilities. This level of support isn’t just ideal, it’s essential.
These findings emphasize the importance of institutional engagement in supporting capacity, program operations, and evaluation. For program leaders advocating for resources, the standards offer a compelling framework to engage institutional leadership: accreditation success is not just about compliance, but about fostering an environment where quality education thrives. When institutions invest in infrastructure, time, and trust, they’re not just supporting a program, they’re reinforcing their reputation and influence in the healthcare education landscape.
How can PALLA support your program? Maryland PA programs are encouraged to reach out directly or email us at palla@umaryland.edu.
See the ARC-PA 6th Edition Standards →.
| Accreditation and Innovation: Can They Coexist? | |
Accreditation is essential to ensuring quality and accountability in PA education, but let’s be honest: it’s also a heavy lift. The ARC-PA 6th Edition Standards introduce thoughtful updates that support innovation, such as integrating telehealth into didactic and clinical instruction, emphasizing personal wellness, and streamlining self-assessment requirements. These changes reflect a growing recognition that educational excellence and regulatory compliance don’t have to be at odds. Still, the process of maintaining accreditation remains complex, time-consuming, and resource intensive.
That’s where PALLA can offer practical, confidential, hands-on support to help programs navigate the demands of accreditation while still pursuing innovation. From reviewing self-studies and annual reports to conducting mock site visits and serving as a sounding board for program leadership, PALLA helps programs align their vision with accreditation expectations. This kind of partnership allows programs to focus on what matters most, delivering high-quality, forward-thinking education, while staying grounded in the standards that ensure long-term success.
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When Nicole Wooten, MPAS, PA-C stepped into her role as the PA Program Director at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES) just seven months before a major ARC-PA accreditation deadline, the challenge was steep. But through focused leadership and a deeply collaborative team effort, the UMES Physician Assistant Program not only met the challenge-it exceeded expectations, earning a full 10-year accreditation.
Professor Wooten strengthened the program’s infrastructure with the addition of two medical directors, a clinical education director, and three full-time faculty members, enhancing student support and improving faculty ratios. Data-driven improvements guided every step, from identifying at-risk students to expanding faculty based on accreditation metrics.
Under her direction, the team led a comprehensive initiative, coordinating the application process, preparing for the site visit, and organizing mock visits. They developed a robust curriculum map, revamped the program website for compliance, and secured a surplus of high-quality clinical sites through strategic partnerships.
Thanks to this effort, student outcomes soared:
- PACKRAT scores for Cohort 2025 exceeded national averages
- Zero students on academic probation during Summer 2025
- 100% of students earned A’s and B’s
- No academic withdrawals or dismissals in AY 2024–2025
While pursuing her Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) at the University of Maryland School of G, Professor Wooten credits the program’s success to the team’s dedication, resilience, and shared vision.
This achievement reflects a commitment to excellence, equity, and preparing graduates to deliver compassionate care in diverse and underserved communities.
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PALLA's Accreditation Resources & Support
PALLA is committed, consistent with our founding mission, to supporting Maryland PA programs in meeting accreditation standards through a robust offering of accreditation resources and services →. These include scheduled Office Hours for personalized guidance, research articles, practical tools, and presentations on streamlining accreditation requirements. Past support has included feedback on provisional accreditation applications, mock site visits, Self Study Report (SSR) narrative reviews, and documentation drafting. We’ve also created tools like common citations lists and SSR templates to simplify the process.
How can we support your program? Maryland PA programs are encouraged to reach out directly or email us at palla@umaryland.edu.
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Frostburg Leadership: Passing the Torch & Enhancing the Culture of Excellency
We’re excited to welcome Frostburg's new program leadership, Laurarose Dunn-O'Farrell, PA-C, whose passion for education and advocacy promises to inspire and elevate the growing PA community. Her vision and dedication mark a new chapter of growth and excellence.
At the same time, we extend heartfelt gratitude to the program's preceding interim Program Director, Kerry Birney, PA-C, for her remarkable contributions and lasting impact. Kerry's leadership in a time of transition laid a strong foundation that will continue to guide us forward. Here’s to new beginnings built on a legacy of excellence!
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Celebrating the Launch of the Department of Health Professions Education
We’re proud to announce the launch of the Department of Health Professions Education (HPE), a new academic home for future educators and leaders in health professions led by inaugural Chair Gerald Kayingo, PhD, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA.
Hosted by the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies, HPE responds to the growing demand for health professionals and educators. Its curriculum includes teaching certificate, master’s, PhD, and other programs designed to build expertise in educational theory, instructional strategies, assessment, and leadership. Dr. Kayingo brings a bold vision, under his guidance, the HPE department is poised to become a national leader in advancing health professions education.
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PALLA Faculty Fellow Welcome Ceremony
Last week, PALLA celebrated the induction of its 7th Cohort, 2025–2026 Faculty Fellows, reaffirming its commitment to advancing healthcare education. The Sadler Speaker, esteemed expert, Gail M. Jensen, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FNAP →, delivered an engaging talk on clinical reasoning and its vital role in health professions education, sparking thoughtful discussion and strong audience engagement.
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Now Accepting Applications
Applications for the PALLA Preceptor Fellowship → are now open! This prestigious 6-month program is designed to elevate clinical education and foster a vibrant community of interprofessional preceptors. Fellows will gain advanced understanding of precepting models and apply them to clinical teaching scenarios. Eligible applicants include licensed PAs, NPs, and MD/DOs with a passion for precepting and a commitment to advancing PA education. Fellows can earn over 20 hours of Category 1 CME, access University of Maryland library resources, and receive up to $10,000 in stipends. Apply here →
Also now open: the PALLA Faculty Fellowship → - for educators seeking to deepen their impact in PA education.
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Explore Faculty & Staff Opportunities!
PALLA is excited to announce a range of open positions for the upcoming academic year across Maryland, including faculty and staff roles at programs across the state. These opportunities reflect our continued commitment to advancing PA education and supporting a dynamic, mission-driven team. Explore the PALLA Job Board → and consider applying to support shaping the future of healthcare.
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Publication of the Month
Accreditation in the Health Professions: Implications for Physician Assistant Education → explores the evolving landscape of accreditation across five health professions, emphasizing its critical role in ensuring educational quality and workforce readiness. It highlights a shift toward outcome-based accreditation and increased collaboration between institutions and accrediting bodies, including innovations like virtual site visits and mentorship platforms. The study also notes institutional trends such as faculty development, technology integration, and consultant use in accreditation processes. This article was honored with the 2024 PAEA Article of the Year Award → in recognition of its impactful insights and relevance to PA education. Authors: Kayingo, Gerald PhD, MBA, MMSc, PA-C; Gordes, Karen L. PhD, PT, DSc; Kulo, Violet EdD, MS, MA; Cawley, James F. MPH, PA-C.
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Alumni Social →
MdAPA Annual CME Conference
Cambridge, MD
(Included with MdAPA Conference registration)
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Save the Date: PALLA's PA Week Event
Bridging the Gap: PA's Advancing Access in a Changing Healthcare Landscape
University of Maryland, Baltimore: SMC Campus Center
(Registration link coming soon!)
| | | The PA Leadership and Learning Academy (PALLA) is a statewide initiative led by the University of Maryland, Baltimore to advance PA education, research, and policy. | | | University of Maryland, PALLA520 West Fayette Street, Suite 130 Baltimore, MD 21201 US | | | | |
