SLU PA Student Earns AAPA Veterans Caucus Scholarship

Saint Louis University (SLU) Physician Assistant (PA) student Charles “Chip” Jost was recently awarded the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Veterans Caucus Scholarship. The Veterans Caucus Scholarship is designed for veterans or for members of the Guard or Reserves of the Uniform Services who are enrolled in an accredited PA program. The selection criteria for the scholarship included military honors/awards, academic honors, community involvement, professional memberships and letter of recommendation.

SLU PA student Chip Jost when he was serving as a US Army Combat Medic.

Jost served seven years in the US Army as a combat medic. Over his two deployments, Jost spent 15 months in Iraq, Kuwait, parts of Africa and the Persian Gulf and also 12 months in eastern Afghanistan. Jost was a Specialist/E-4 and, in most of his units, was the Senior Trauma Medic.

Jost explained that the phone call informing him that he had been awarded the Veterans Caucus scholarship came as a very welcomed surprise.

“I received a phone call from chair of the AAPA Veterans Caucus scholarship committee, Rod Ogden PA-C USAF Ret., and I was surprised, excited and humbled to learn I had been awarded the SSgt Craig Ivory Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship,” Jost said. “Receiving an actual phone call made it a lot more personal as Rod was able to talk to me for a few moments and ask questions about myself and my education.”

Jost went on to describe how his time in the military helped prepare him for entering the PA program and interacting with patients.

“Not only did I get very good training and firsthand experience, but I also got to work with many exceptional PAs who taught me both medicine and how to talk with people,” Josh said. “I believe that is a very important component of medicine – the ability to connect with your patients.”

Founded in 1979, the mission of the Veterans Caucus is to promote the interests and contributions of the veteran through service, education and fraternity. Historically, many of the PA profession’s national leaders have come from the ranks of the Veterans Caucus. To date, the Veterans Caucus has provided over $100,000 in scholarship funds to veterans studying to become PAs.

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.