POTSDAM – Clarkson University’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies linked with Potsdam Building Blocks Day Care, Inc. on Monday, Nov. 11 to provide hands-on opportunities for more than 15 Physician Assistant students who are in the last semester of their clinical studies before going out on clinical rotations in the community

More than 20 parents gave consent for their children to participate in the hands-on Pediatrics Day event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“It turned out great” said Dawn White, MPAS, RPA-C, parent and faculty member.

“As part of their training, students were able to look at ears, eyes, and mouths, and listen to hearts and lungs.”

Keith Young, DHSc, RPA-C also welcomed the experience, stating “this was a wonderful opportunity. I hope we can do it again next year”.

Ms Pickering agreed with Ms White and Mr Young, citing it was awesome opportunity, “and our students did so well, even the little guys who are just beginning to experience stranger anxiety.” With the parent’s permission, three or four students at a time were brought into a classroom set up to resemble a doctor’s office. “It worked out perfectly,” said Ms Pickering. “We had several infants, toddlers, and preschooler children and a few children who belonged to the PA students themselves.”

It worked out perfectly,” according to Ms. Pickering who was a little worried about the number of children whose parents had signed them up.

“Thankfully, it was a holiday and some of the children were absent or we would have run out of time.” “We could not have asked for a more positive experience.”