DCHS Renovates Locker Room to Become New PA Classroom

The Saint Louis University (SLU) Doisy College of Health Sciences (DCHS) recently renovated a rarely-used locker room in the Allied Health Professions Building to become a new classroom for students in the Physician Assistant (PA) program.

The smaller two photos on the left show the old locker room and the larger photo on the right is its transformation to the nearly-finished new PA classroom. One wall of lockers was kept for a place for students to store their belongings during class.

SLU PA Program Director Caroline Chang, MMS, PA-C, explained the need that the PA program had for additional classroom space.

“The PA curriculum is rigorous and often involves long, grueling days in the classroom.  It is not uncommon for our students to be in class for 10 hours in a day,” Chang said. There is also quite a bit of fluidity within our class schedules that is necessary to accommodate things such as impromptu class sessions when more teaching is needed on difficult subject matter, and to better accommodate the schedules of practicing PAs and other healthcare providers who come to lecture to the students on their area/s of expertise”

This necessary fluidity and flexibility proved difficult to find on SLU’s busy South Campus where last-minute space can be hard to find. Chang went on to state that having this additional space designed for PA students would make a tremendous impact.

“The new classroom will allow program faculty to ensure that we have the time and space available to meet all of the educational needs of our students, ultimately knowing that we are educating our students to care for patients in just 27 months,” Chang said.

DCHS Dean Mardell Wilson, Ed.D., RD, LDN, was very pleased to have the university’s support in improving PA program.

“We are grateful for the university’s continued investment in the PA program. This newly purposed instructional space combines a comfortable setting for our students along with the highest quality technologies,” Dr. Wilson said. “We are delighted to be able to provide this customized classroom specifically for our PA students and faculty.”

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.