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SLU PA Faculty and Alumna Advocate for Missouri Bill Incentivizing Clinical Preceptors

Two Saint Louis University (SLU) Physician Assistant (PA) program faculty members and a SLU PA program alumna traveled to Jefferson City, MO to advocate for a proposed bill that would incentivize community preceptors to help educate PA and medical students, especially in rural areas of the state. The faculty members representing the SLU PA program were Program Director Caroline Chang, MMS, PA-C, and Assistant Professor Carol Suit, MPAS, PA-C, and the alumna representing the program was Rachel Vogel, MMS, PA-C.

Carol Suit, Rachel Vogel and Caroline Chang

SLU PA Faculty Member Carol Suit, MPAS, PA-C (left); SLU PA Alumna Rachel Vogel, MMS, PA-C (center); and SLU PA Program Director Caroline Chang, MMS, PA-C (right) advocating for a bill to incentivize clinical preceptors.

The SLU PA representatives joined a group of nine other PAs from across the state to advocate for this tax bill that was introduced by Representative Dr. Jon Patterson of District 30. Chang explained that this bill would be extremely beneficial for PA programs across the state, which motivated her to make the trip to Jefferson City to advocate on its behalf.

“The difficulty of recruiting and retaining clinical preceptors to help educate our students is already a significant challenge for many programs, and clinical site shortages are predicted to further worsen in the near future,” Chang said. “The potential for this bill to help improve one of our largest issues motivated me to make it a priority to show my support.”

Support for the proposed bill was strong across the SLU PA program. Chang and Vogel testified in support of the bill, Suit help organize the trip and message with supporting organizations and, SLU PA Assistant Professors Genevieve DelRosario, MHS, PA-C, and Anne Garanzini, M.Ed., PA-C, wrote and edited talking points.

“I really hope the bill passes, but I also hope it raises awareness about the shortage of clinical sites and preceptors facing PA and medical education,” Chang said. “I hope the bill further generates conversations regarding potential solutions for this issue.”

Learn More About the SLU PA Program

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.