Stanford School of Medicine Primary Care Associate Program with Foothill College
News & Events
New - Please Read
Important Admissions information
Important information:
A proposal has been put forth to Stanford University leadership to transition the current PA program which results in a Certificate of Clinical Competency from Stanford University and an Associates Degree from Foothill Community College to a Stanford University Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. We expect to have more information available in the coming months so please continue to check our website for updates
The Stanford Primary Care Associate Program (PCAP) was created by Stanford University School of Medicine and Foothill College based on the need for more primary care practitioners in California. The first students matriculated in 1971, and the ARC-PA has granted continuing accreditation since 1976.
The program has a 21-month curriculum (seven quarters) which integrates classroom learning and clinical practice. The program’s mission is to:
- Educate PAs for clinical practice in primary care and medically underserved communities in California
- Increase the enrollment and deployment of under-represented minorities
- Respond to the needs of our communities and stakeholders, including Stanford Medical Center
The program's goals are to:
- Educate physician assistants to provide quality patient-centered health care
- Recruit from and place students for clinical education in regions with medically underserved communities
- Recruit and graduate students from underrepresented minorities
- Develop the student's ability to practice evidence based medicine, reflect critically on their practice, and develop life-long learning skills
- Educate physician assistants who demonstrate ethical and professional behavior with peers, patients, and families
- Prepare students to address community health issues and health disparities in thecontext of societal and economic systems
The program has a strong record of student/graduate outcomes that meet its mission and goals:
- Of the last two classes enrolled (graduating in 2016 and 2017):
- 38.3% are from underrepresented minority groups. Race and Ethnicity: American Indian/Native American/Alaskan Native (4.3%), African American/Black (2.1%), White/Caucasian (40.4%), Asian (22.3%), Hispanic (26.6%), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (1.1%), Other (3.2%)
- Gender: female (62.8%), male (37.2%)
- Average Age: 31.9 years (compared to national mean of 26.3 years )*
- Prior Health Experience: 8791.8 hours (compared to national mean of 3089.1 hours )*
- Of 78 graduates from the last two graduating classes (2013 and 2014):
- 26.3% are from underrepresented minority groups
- 28.8% practice primary care in California
- 62.5% practice in areas of unmet need
- Of the last five graduating classes
- 97% are NCCPA certified
*data from the PAEA 29th Annual Report
The program has over 1400 graduates. Of the 990 respondents to the most recent graduate survey, 58% practice in primary care specialties (Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, OB/GYN and Pediatrics and undifferentiated primary care). An additional 17% practice in Emergency Medicine and provide primary care services in those settings.
Information and applications may be obtained online:http://pcap.stanford.eduor contact the office at:pcap-information@lists.stanford.edu
Website last updated: 11/9/15
