ATSU-CHC celebrates 82 physician assistant grads, honors Central Coast healthcare leader

ATSU-CHC celebrates 82 physician assistant grads, honors Central Coast healthcare leader

A.T. Still University's College for Health Communities (ATSU-CHC) in Santa Maria, California, celebrated 82 graduates of the Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, and presented an honorary doctorate to one of the Central Coast's leaders in healthcare.

Sue Andersen, MBA, president and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital and French Hospital Medical Center, delivered the commencement address to students and families gathered in the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Prior to her remarks, Andersen was presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from ATSU Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, '84, and ATSU-CHC Dean Eric L. Sauers, PhD, '97.

Actively involved in service to her community, Andersen serves as board chair of REACH, a regional economic growth entity, and as vice chair of CenCal Health. She also serves on the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce board, Boys & Girls Club, Shower the People, Santa Maria Police Advisory Board, several Dignity Hospital boards, and the ATSU-CHC Dean's Council.

"We salute Ms. Andersen's exceptional legacy, her grace, and her dedication to community health. Her contributions mirror the values of our program and the excellence we envision for our graduates," Dr. Sauers said.

"We have many PAs on our teams," Andersen said in her remarks to the class of 2024. "They work in the emergency room, in trauma, in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery, in cardiology and psychiatry, in oncology and in our primary care offices. We truly could not provide the care here on the Central Coast that we do without our PAs. Your opportunities in this field are endless."

Part of A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU), a nonprofit University with campuses in Arizona, California, and Missouri, the CCPA program is a 24-month master's program with a goal of educating community-oriented physician assistants (PA) who will provide whole person primary care to underserved communities along the Central Coast and across the nation.

Students spend one year on campus in Santa Maria for the didactic phase of the program before entering the clinical phase, when healthcare partners including Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Marian Regional Medical Center, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, and others regionally and across the U.S. help prepare them to provide culturally proficient healthcare services.

ATSU-CHC is committed to expanding higher education pathways on the Central Coast and focused on growing the healthcare workforce by educating the next generation of diverse professionals who will provide essential care locally.

Watch the ceremony at youtube.com/atstilluniversity.