SLU PA Alum Surprises Students with Lunch During National PA Week

In celebration of National Physician Assistant Week recently, Saint Louis University (SLU) Physician Assistant (PA) alum Terry Arnold surprised current SLU PA students by donating a surprise pizza party lunch to provide a break from studying. Students were able to enjoy the lunch together while socially distanced outside on the patio and greatly appreciated the donor’s gift.

Arnold, who graduated from SLU’s PA program in 1997, was happy to be able to provide the gift to the current PA students.

“I was inspired to make this donation to recognize the students for their decision to pursue a career in the PA profession. I have no doubt it will be the best decision they make in their professional lives and will lead to a rewarding and gratifying career,” Arnold said.

Arnold went on to explain how choosing the SLU PA program was what set him up for success in his career in the medical field.

“SLU PA has a long history of providing outstanding medical education and what I learned there set me on a course for providing the highest quality of care to my patients,” Arnold said. “I have no doubt it will do the same for today’s students and I’m pleased to support their efforts.”

COVID-19 restrictions altered SLU’s traditional PA Week activities; however, SLU PA Program Director Caroline Chang, MMS, PA-C, explained the usual intent behind the week’s activities.

“Usually, PA Week activities focus on networking with PAs and PA alumni in the area, building camaraderie among PA students and educating other Doisy College of Health Sciences students about the PA profession,” Chang said. “Unfortunately, we could not do much of that this year due to university restrictions, but our students still came up with activities for the week.”

This year, SLU PA students celebrated PA Week by: collecting clothing to donate to a local homeless shelter, organized a COVID-savvy breakfast bar, made posters encouraging others to get a flu shot and decorated their classroom for PA Week.

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.