WSU Applebaum faculty member receives national grant to connect physician assistant education with community needs

Colin Colter, assistant professor in Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, has received the 2026 Kathy J. Pedersen Grant to Promote Equitable Care from the NCCPA Health Foundation to support an innovative educational initiative connecting physician assistant students with the challenges facing patients and communities.

His project, "Read, Reflect, Respond: Journal Clubs for Equitable Care," will build on the success of an earlier pilot program, using guided discussions, research and community engagement to help students better understand the social, cultural and systemic factors that influence health outcomes.

"Preparing students to become effective health care providers means helping them understand not only the clinical aspects of patient care, but also the circumstances that shape a person's health," said Colter. "Through this project, we want students to think critically, challenge assumptions and develop a greater appreciation for the experiences of the patients and communities they will serve."

Through the initiative, physician assistant students will participate in journal clubs focused on health disparities, cultural humility and barriers to care. By examining current research and discussing its implications for clinical practice, students will develop a deeper understanding of how patients' circumstances and experiences can influence their health and access to care.

The project will also expand opportunities for students to engage with community organizations, connecting classroom discussions with real-world experiences and encouraging participants to consider how their future roles as health care professionals can contribute to better patient outcomes.

Bringing together multiple cohorts of physician assistant students, faculty from other health professions and community partners, the initiative will create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and shared learning.

For Colter, the $5,000 grant provides an opportunity to build on an established educational approach while strengthening the connection between professional education and the communities students will one day serve.

Christine Rabinak, Ph.D., associate dean for research at WSU Applebaum, said the recognition reflects the important role faculty-led initiatives play in advancing health professions education and strengthening community connections.

"Colin's project is a great example of how our faculty are finding meaningful ways to connect education, research and community engagement," said Rabinak. "By encouraging students to examine the challenges patients face and consider how those experiences influence care, this initiative will help prepare thoughtful, compassionate health care professionals who are ready to make a difference in the communities they serve."

By combining research, reflection and community engagement, "Read, Reflect, Respond" aims to prepare future physician assistants to approach patient care with greater cultural awareness, compassion and an understanding of the challenges individuals face beyond the clinical setting.