The comprehensive planning and development for the physician assistant program at Temple University began in 2012. By the end of 2013, it was clear that a physician assistant program would be the perfect complement program to Temple University’s School of Medicine, Temple Hospital Health System and to the surrounding community in North Philadelphia. The strategic development team, under the guidance of Audrey Uknis, MD, then brought in the Fox School of Business to conduct a feasibility study for the integration of the program into the School of Medicine. By the summer of 2014, the Fox School of Business’ study results supported the ongoing development of the physician assistant program. Building on its history of excellence in medical education, Audrey Uknis, MD, Dianne Soprano, PhD and Larry Kaplan, MD, along with countless other Temple University physicians, physician assistants, basic scientists and administrators worked diligently to develop the Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies curriculum. With the full support of Dean Larry Kaiser, MD, FACS, the project continued to move forward, and obtained final approval by Temple University's administration by the end of 2014. In October 2014, the Graduate Board of Temple University granted their support and the Board of Trustees voted their full support in November 2014 – both approving the proposal for a MS Degree in Medical Sciences to train Physician Assistants within the School of Medicine. Ready for inspection by the ARC-PA, Temple University’s graduate physician assistant program was born.
In March 2015, Kathryn McCluskey, JD, MPH, PA-C, was recruited as the Founding PA Program Director. Preparations for the ARC-PA initial site visit to the program continued, and in July 2015 the ARC-PA concluded their visit. During that time, a dedication ceremony in October 2015 took place, and the School of Medicine’s name was changed to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. This dedication was made in honor of a beloved Temple trustee and advocate, Lewis Katz. The Physician Assistant program’s name also reflected this name dedication, and is now referred to as the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Physician Assistant Program or LKSOM PA Program.
After the ARC-PA’s March 2016 Commission's meeting, the LKSOM Physician Assistant Program was granted Accreditation-Provisional status. In June 2016, the LKSOM at Temple University Physician Assistant Program welcomed its inaugural class of twenty students.
The Class of 2018 would like to thank all of those that have contributed and continue to contribute to the program, we hope to honor your efforts by continuing the success of the program and in our future careers as Physician Assistants!