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September 17, 2018 - Sixty students recently completed the physician assistant (PA) studies master’s degree program at King’s College and received their degrees at the College’s annual summer commencement ceremonies.

The Class of 2018 is the 42nd graduating class of the King’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program, the longest established program in Luzerne or Lackawanna County. 

PAs are health care providers who are nationally certified and state licensed to practice medicine. As a part of their responsibilities, PAs perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, order and interpret lab tests, assist in surgery, provide patient education and prescribe medications.

Upon graduation, PAs take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA).

PAs are employed in virtually all types of health care settings including private offices, clinics and hospitals. PAs can practice in almost any field of medicine including family practice, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry and orthopedics to name just a few.

King’s PA graduates have achieved placements throughout the country, many of whom are working in medically underserved areas.

Pictured in first row, from left is Natasha Raffai, Marissa Breeze, Erin Hurley, Heather Horvath, Tarah Zajaczkowski, Devon Bizarre, Aaron Sosa, Jacqueline Biacco, Kimberly Stanford, Grace Geno, Melissa Colon-Roman, and Mae Janiga.

Pictured in second row, from left, is Jordyn O’Leary, Brenna Smudde, Eleanor Cabrera, Julia Shandra, Julianna Grandinetti, Lauren Ax, Tia Pilikian, Briannon Yadrick, Marissa Durako, Lauren Francisci, Ancy Chempola, and Adam Andriulli.

Pictured in third row, from left, is Frank Commisso, Spoorthy Challa, Alexa Lambert, Madysen Jones, Jordan Kingdon, Rebecca Johnson, Anthony Tolerico, Amanda Millard, Meghan Cawley, Amber Soden, Nicolle Finn, and Samuel Goldheart.

Pictured in fourth row, from left, is Leah Makarevich, Tia Rex, Brianna Heldt, Jocelyn Mastaler, Kaylee Grapsy, Andrea Grammatico, Miranda Warunek, Jamie Broughton, Marybeth Rudy, Elizabeth George, Justin Liddy, and Kiera Halligan.

Pictured in back row, from left, is Kathryn Harpin, Tyler Gallagher, Dylan Saxon, Alexander Taylor, Justin Barnett, Courtney Stefanik, Molly Conlin, Nicholas Kaufman, Thomas Madigan, Macy Bosshard, Alexandra Garrett, and Matthew Messina.