This Missouri State physician associate student recognized by AAPA

Cassidy McCandless wants to change her profession.

The field is already going through a lot as it navigates changing its name from “physician assistant” to “physician associate” and anticipates explosive growth by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But in order to better serve their patients, physician associates need to reflect the diversity of their patients, said the Missouri State University student. 

“Getting different groups in, whether it’s gender, sexual or ethnic minorities, is going to make our profession better, it’s going to make medicine better and it’s going to bring things to our attention that no one even thought about except for the people in those groups,”  McCandless said.

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Recognized by  the American Academy of Physician Associates

McCandless was named PA Student of the Year by the American Academy of Physician Associates, an award that “honors a PA student who furthers the image of PAs and PA students; gives self-sacrificing time and effort in service to community; demonstrates leadership and professionalism; and exemplifies the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible, quality healthcare to all,” according to the AAPA website.

“She’s done some tremendous things prior to going to PA school, and then really utilized her education as a PA to help improve her community and also recognize the importance of diversity,” said Jennifer Orozco, AAPA president. “She’s really spearheaded not only bringing (the importance of diversity) to her community, but also to her fellow students and the PA profession as a whole, she’s led and really lent her opinion and expertise in some of the strategic arms we have going in education as well as the AAPA and really this importance on diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Starting at Missouri State with a background helping patients 

Before starting at MSU in 2021, McCandless was a dietitian, working with patients who had diabetes or kidney issues. However, she wasn’t able to see patients long term, or have the ability to speak to things outside of nutrition.

“I just loved my patients so much that I wanted to do more and be more in control of their care,” McCandless said. “You can treat the whole person when you know the whole person.”