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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Students from Physician Assistant Program win 2012 FAPA Challenge Bowl
(Front row from left to right:) NSU College of Allied Health and Nursing Physician Assistant students Kylie Fontoura, Katherine Rebuck, Victoria Vanacore, Juan Vidal. (Back row from left to right:) Sonia Vora, Sara Mow, Vitia Pack, Julie Taylor, Kanwal Amin.
Students from Nova Southeastern University’s College of Allied Health and Nursing’s Physician Assistant (PA) program recently won the Florida Medical Challenge Bowl held by the Florida Association for Physician Assistants in Tallahassee, Florida. This is the first win for the college.
In the highly competitive event, teams competed against one another in a medical question and answer format. The program was one of seven teams that qualified to participate. The program won the 2012 FAPA Challenge Bowl through hard work, determination, and dedication. With this year’s win, the program now has the distinction of being the first school in the last five competitions to dethrone 4-time winners Miami Dade College. This seemed to others as an impossible task, but fortunately there were three second year students who were up to the task. They surpassed all expectations to take home the trophy they so richly deserved.
Members of this year’s first-year team were Kylie Fontoura, Katherine Rebuck, and Sonia Vora. Members of the second year teams were Sara Mow, Vitia Pack, and Kanwal Amin. The championship team members were Victoria Vanacore, Julie Taylor, and Juan Vidal. Faculty member Angela Mesa-Taylor, MPAS, PA-C has been the faculty advisor for all of this year’s Challenge Bowl teams. The second year students admitted that practicing and participating in the challenge bowl has definitely kept them on their toes during their clinical year study, and preparation for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). It was truly a wonderful experience for all of our teams. Even though it was also a gut wrenching, voice stuttering, high-pressure situation, they prevailed! This competition gives the physician assistant students an opportunity to display their knowledge and recognize the high level of medical knowledge they possess. So what’s next? The teams will compete on the national level later this year at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) in Las Vegas, NV. The students are looking forward to a great time and of course another win!