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Sept. 12, 2016 - Sixty one students recently completed the physician assistant (PA) studies master’s degree program at King’s College and received their degrees at the College’s annual summer commencement ceremonies.

The Class of 2016 is the 40th graduating class of the King’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program, the longest established program in Luzerne or Lackawanna County. 

PAs are health care providers who are nationally certified and state licensed to practice medicine. As a part of their responsibilities, PAs perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, order and interpret lab tests, assist in surgery, provide patient education and prescribe medications.

Upon graduation, PAs take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA). PAs are employed in virtually all types of health care settings including private offices, clinics and hospitals. PAs can practice in almost any field of medicine including family practice, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry and orthopedics to name just a few.

King’s PA graduates have achieved placements throughout the country, many of whom are working in medically underserved areas.

Pictured in front row, from left, is Julie Mathew, Jocelyn Mathew, Ashley Marsh, Emmalee Meyers, Kasey Critchlow, Taylore Bardo, Carlee Komoroski, Rachel Pierantozzi, Tuyen Nguyen, and Lisa Hoogsteden

Pictured in second row, from left, is Paige Perry, Kathleen Cheseldine, Caitlin Ralston, Marissa Mutzek, Colleen Kiriazes, Elizabeth Shannon, Stephanie Dosiak, Caitlin Haenig, Paige DeSaulniers, Jamie DeLeon, and Lauren Duguid.

Pictured in third row, from left, is Matthew Asmar, Molly Spanfelner, Suzana Silva, Brandon Lombardo, Jaclyn Beck, Morgan Hoferica, Alexandra Heavilon, Tonya Mattei, Sara Lynn, Kelby O’Neil, Danielle Yakup, and Krystina Carcone.

Pictured in fourth row, from left, is Mustafa Monis, Haley Baran, Allison Johns, Jacqueline Czwojdak, Alicia Kolling, Katlyn Rossowski, Robert Lawler, Shannon Dunski, Alexis Hargrave, Anna Bergeman, Jenna Gleason, and Amanda Ketusky.

Pictured in back row, from left, is Michael Anderson, Erica Schweitzer, Mallory Bryant, Connor Prince, Erin Rupell, Stanley Yanik, Emma Leatham, Victoria Nytch, Bailey Amos, Tyler Baran, Joel Dorman, Katelyn Rivers, Abraham Kibbey, and Jesstine Kane.

Absent from photo was Kylanne Berry and Jessica Hamilton.