The purpose of this grant is to assist Pfeiffer University with establishing a new Physician Assistant (PA) program. The PA program will be housed with Pfeiffer’s planned Master’s in Occupational Therapy (OT) program in downtown Albemarle, NC, where Pfeiffer also plans to operate a health clinic that will provide free PA and OT services to area residents. Graduates of the PA program can help mitigate shortages in primary care providers in rural areas of the region and state. In addition, the City of Albemarle will realize a boost to its economic development plans from an increase in the number of students, faculty, and other healthcare professionals that live and work in the city. Golden LEAF will help pay for library resources, faculty training, conferences and licensure, classroom and office furnishings, a back-up generator, and technology, including simulation equipment.
