HSU Student Declares Physician Assistant Week in Abilene, Houston

Abilene and Houston celebrate Physician Assistant week for the first time this year thanks to an HSU PA student. Ryan Comeaux ’19 and HSU PA program drafted a proclamation requesting that Physician Assistants week be celebrated Oct. 6-12. The ceremonial document and was approved by Abilene Mayor Anthony Williams and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. The proclamation was presented to the HSU PA program at the Abilene City Council meeting on Oct. 5

Comeaux drafted the proclamation for Houston as well as Abilene because HSU PA students travel to Houston to complete clinical training.

“Texas currently has 9,056 physician assistants registered with the Texas Medical Board, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Houston has the most working Physician Assistants in the state of Texas at 1,880 as of 2017,” Comeaux said. “This number is the sixth highest population in the country. Having proclamations proposed by both mayor’s offices is a great honor and is a great way to celebrate this upcoming National PA week October 6-12, 2018.”

The proclamation encourages all Houston residents “to recognize PAs for the significant impact they have made and continue to make in healthcare as a critical part of the healthcare team.”

The document recognizes PAs as for their quality, cost-effective, and accessible patient-centered healthcare which contributes to the quality of life for all patients in Houston. It also recognizes PAs as many patients’ principal healthcare provider, empowering them to become effective advocates for their own health.

During Physician Assistant Week, the HSU PA program will participate in the inaugural Great Gurney Race to Benefit Global Samaritan Resources on Oct. 11 at Art Walk.

The HSU Physician Assistant Program, while only two years old, is already leading the field. HSU’s was the first PA program in Texas to open in the previous eighteen years and the only PA program in Texas affiliated with a small university. Dr. Jennifer Eames is also the first female Founding Program Director in Texas.