POTSDAM -- The Clarkson University Department of Physician Assistant Studies hosts an open house Thursday, Nov. 17 from noon to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

This is an opportunity for the Clarkson community, local medical community, and general public to meet the faculty and tour the facility.

Highlights of the tour will include the new anatomy lab and the physical diagnosis lab featuring the department's simulated patient.

The 17 members of the charter master of physician assistant studies class will begin their studies in January.

Physician Assistant Studies is located on the first floor of Clarkson Hall at 59 Main St. in downtown Potsdam.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) recently granted provisional accreditation to the new master's program.

Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed health professionals who practice medicine as members of a team with supervising physicians. PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations in rural, urban and suburban settings.

Clarkson's program is a 28-month course of study granting a master of science degree in physician assistant studies.

For more on the program: http://www.clarkson.edu/pa , 268-7942, pa@clarkson.edu.