Students, staff, faculty and friends filled the 哔咔漫画 School of Music auditorium to officially welcome 49 new physician assistant students during the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) Physician Assistant Program Class of 2026 Commitment to the Profession Ceremony on Oct. 4.
In front of their friends and loved ones, the students gathered centerstage in groups of six to don their white coats for the first time, officially marking the start of their careers in healthcare. Together, the new class recited the Physician Assistant Oath, led by Larry Collins, PA-C, ATC, associate program director.
In his opening remarks, Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of MCOM, praised the school for achieving eligibility in the U.S. News and World Report rankings for the first time, ranking in the top third of all physician assistant programs nationwide. His remarks also highlighted the growth of the field and encouraged the students to be ambassadors for the profession and for USF Health.
鈥淵ou are pursuing one of the fastest growing careers in medicine and you鈥檒l be on the frontlines of patient care,鈥� said Dr. Lockwood. 鈥淭he white coat you receive today is a great privilege but carries great responsibilities. It signifies your obligation to put the needs of your patients at the center of all that you do.鈥�
Todd Wills, MD, associate dean and program director, delivered the keynote address, challenging students to enhance the profession through compassionate patient care and offering advice on how best to represent the profession: listen and learn, think, understand, give answers, explain, give hope when you can but always provide understanding and compassion.
鈥淭he way you treat your patients, the compassion you show, the impression you leave reflects not on only on you, but on all the PAs who worked tirelessly to grow this profession into its respected place in our healthcare community,鈥� said Dr. Wills.
At a reception following the ceremony, families and friends joined the students to celebrate, with words of praise filling the room and many faces beaming with pride. In just two years, these 49 students will graduate and begin their careers as invaluable members of healthcare teams, making an impact on their communities for years to come.
About the class:
- 49 students
- 1,338 applicants
- 3.89 median overall GPA
- 3.87 median overall science GPA
Eugene Stead, Jr., MD created the first physician assistant training program in 1965 and graduated the first class Oct. 6, 1967 at Duke University. To celebrate the profession, National Physician Assistant Week is celebrated Oct. 6 through 12.
More images from the event
