Tash Mahnokaren

Staff Writer

Within Idaho and the world exists a need for capable and available individuals to handle any and all health care needs that may arise.

Over the past 10 years, Idaho State University’s Physician Assistant (PA) Students have donated annually to the development of health care needs in Idaho and abroad.

ISU’s PA students put on a silent auction at the annual state meeting of the Idaho Academy of Physician Assistants. The silent auction brought in about $4,500 last year according to Paula Phelps, the program director for the physician assistant studies department.

Almost all proceeds from fundraisers are allocated towards humanitarian needs such as giving to local charities and the Pocatello Free Clinic.

“It is 100 percent student run,” said Phelps.

A portion of funds raised are also used to send two representatives each year to the national conference for them to be involved with the House of Delegates for the student branch of the American Academy of Physician Assistants

“They get to see what it means to be a part of a national professional organization, which involves service as well as helping the profession move forward,” said Phelps.

The conference is normally one week long and provides continuing medical education to attendees. The discussion and decision making process of policy and procedure are also discussed at the conference.

The club lent its assistance last spring to the Scout Mountain Ultimate Trail (SMUT) run, a 100 kilometer run in which all proceeds go directly to an organization that helped out with the run. Funds from the run last spring were given to the Physician Assistant Student Society (PASS).

According to Phelps, Luke Nelson, who is a graduate of the ISU Physicians Assistant Studies department is the race director for the SMUT run and is also responsible for choosing the PASS as the organization that would receive the money raised from the SMUT run.

Nelson, who had promised the funds to the PASS, had also wanted to raise funds for another graduate of the department who in May of last year had gotten into a fatal ski accident. The PASS had been thinking along the same lines and donated the $1,000 earned from the run to the student.

The PASS is also involved in the Homeless Stand Down, a half-day event organized by the Portneuf Medical Center and other organizations held every year in the fall. Flu shots and health screenings are provided for the homeless and individuals with low income among other services.

“A year ago we gave about 100 flu shots,” said Phelps.

Funds raised this year were used to purchase diagnostic equipment for vision assessment, which will be taken on a seven-day medical mission to the Dominican Republic. This mission is cosponsored by the G3 Foundation, an organization founded by two dentists that aims to provide dental care and basic medical services to underprivileged populations.

“I think it is remarkable that the students would care enough to decide to donate a large sum of money that really benefits a lot of people,” said Phelps.