Medical College of Wisconsin Mark B. Adams Post
Graduate Physician Assistant Surgical Program
Department of Surgery
9200 West Wisconsin Avenue Ste. 3510
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: (414) 805-9427     Fax: (414) 259-9225
E-mail: surgeryed@mcw.edu
www.mcw.edu/pgpaprogram

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical College of Wisconsin Mark B. Adams Post Graduate Physician Assistant Surgical Program (PGPA Program) is a 12-month postgraduate certificate program for NCCPA certified Physician Assistants.  The nature of this program is to provide additional exposure to physician assistants and provide in-depth specialized training in surgery.  Our mission is to provide a comprehensive program to train the Post Graduate Surgical Physician Assistant by preparing them to practice in a variety of surgical settings and specialties. 

The following Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files can be downloaded:

        Application

        Brochure

        MCW Benefits

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from a PA training program approved by the Accreditation and Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
• Bachelor's degree
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Certification.
• Wisconsin PA License - temporary license in place prior to start
• Official transcripts from colleges and PA school.
• Copies of BLS and ACLS certification.
• One-page typewritten narrative stating why you are interested in postgraduate surgical training.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Official NCCPA exam scores
• Signed copy of the application
• Current resume

The application process does not require an application fee.

TIMELINE

• Application                 Program application available above or
                                      see program address
• February & March    Interviews
• Late June                   Program starting date  

CREDENTIAL AWARDED

ANNUAL SALARY

Competitive Stipend

PA BENEFITS

• License
• Board Certification
• Certification Examination
• DEA Certification
• BLS/ACLS
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Professional Memberships (2)

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Clinical Rotations     
Core rotations:
General Surgery-Adult (2 months)
Trauma Surgery-Adult
Intensive Care-Adult
Pediatric General Surgery/Trauma
Including Burn Surgery (2 months)
Intensive Care-Pediatric
Transplant Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgery
(Adult and Pediatric) (2 months)
Vascular Surgery       
Elective rotations:
Interventional Radiology
Neurosurgery
Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Oncology
Urology
Plastic Surgery (Adult and Pediatric)  
 Unless otherwise indicated all rotations will be one month. 

DIDACTIC SESSIONS

Lectures, seminars and laboratories have been designed to provide PG PA with a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of surgical disease processes extending over the course of 12 months.

Instruction will cover general surgery and subspecialty topics. Emphasis will be placed on the perioperative management of surgical patients including fluids and electrolytes, hyperalimentation, acid/base balance, surgical emergencies, complications, and evaluation of specific organ systems using lectures and mock scenarios.

Skills laboratories will include instruction and practice time for such skills as wound closure, chest tube placement, thoracentesis, endoscopic vein harvesting, placement of central/peripheral lines, etc.

In addition to classroom/laboratory instruction, the didactic curriculum will include weekly Attending Rounds, Grand Rounds, M&M Conference and other conferences organized by the Department of Surgery.

The initial didactic curriculum will conclude with preparation for clinical rotations. Time is designated for "rounding" with the surgical team and becoming familiar with the routine of the surgical services before assuming clinical responsibilities.   

Core Basic Science and Non-Clinical Lectures   
Vents/ABGs
Diabetes 
TPN
Fluid/Electrolytes
Renal failure
Surgical complications
Anesthesia
Pain management
Cost of medical care
Lab interpretation
Cardiac
Ionotropic support
Resume writing, contract negotiation, mock interviews  

Skills Labs    
ATLS - 2-day course (audit course)
OR etiquette, gown, glove, and pt prep, sterile technique
Knot tying
Skin incisions / suture material
NG tubes / Gtubes / PEGs, and chest tubes
Surgical drains, uses and removal
Closure techniques / Surgical instrumentation / Burn Surgery Intro (dermatomes, biological dressing applications) / Vac application
Central lines - insertion and removal
Basic principles of laparoscopy
Endoscopy simulator
EGD, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy labs
Respiratory: Ventilators and ABG's