News Release

HHS grants to help veterans get jobs as physician assistants

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $2.3 million in grants to train primary care physician assistants (PAs) and help veterans transition from the military to civilian PA careers when they return home.

Funded under the Physician Assistant Training in Primary Care Program, the 5-year grants aim to increase the number of physician assistant graduates who become primary care clinicians and teachers.  Funding priority was given to grantees that have strong recruitment, retention, and education programs for veteran applicants and students, including academic recognition of medical training and experience gained during military service. 

Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at HHS, the grants are part of the administration’s initiative to increase the supply of primary care practitioners in the United States.  

“If you can save a life on the battlefield in Afghanistan, you can save a life here at home,” said Secretary Sebelius. “These grants will help ensure veterans who served our country can use their military medical training and get good jobs serving patients.”

The grants, awarded to 12 institutions, support educational programs that train PAs to practice in primary care settings, and help individuals who will teach primary care in PA training programs, preparing trainees to enter practice in primary care settings. 

Awards were granted to:

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Last revised: August 2, 2012