Two PA Students Look Beyond the Classroom to Make an Impact
Many students who apply to physician assistant (PA) programs are drawn to the profession by a shared goal: making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives while advocating for more equitable, patient-centered care. That purpose feels especially urgent at a time when confidence in the U.S. healthcare system is strained. According to the 2023 Harris Poll Report, The Patient Experience: Perspectives on Today’s Healthcare, few adults give the nation’s healthcare system an “A” grade, with more rating it as below average, reflecting widespread concerns about access, quality, and patient-centered care.
From its very beginnings, the PA profession was designed to respond to challenges like these. As outlined by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the profession was created in the mid-1960s to improve and expand access to healthcare during a period of severe physician shortages, particularly in primary care and in rural and underserved communities.
Today, that original mission remains central to the profession. PAs continue to practice in collaboration with physicians, delivering high-quality care across specialties while remaining deeply rooted in service, adaptability, and community engagement.
For Tufts PA students, learning does not stop at the classroom door. It extends into clinics, communities, and advocacy efforts where they carry forward a profession built to meet society’s most pressing healthcare needs.
Turning advocacy into action through Project Access
For Evan Chen, PA27, and Brandon Cobham, PA27, that commitment took shape through their involvement in Project Access, an outreach and recruitment initiative created by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). The program is designed to introduce students from underrepresented backgrounds to the PA profession, with the broader goals of increasing workforce diversity, expanding access to primary care, and reducing health disparities.
“Evan and I became involved by serving as the Diversity Chairs for the Class of 2027 Tufts University Physician Assistant Student Society (TUPASS),” explained Cobham.
“PA students go out into the community and talk about the PA profession in hopes of inspiring local youth into considering careers as a PA,” added Chen. “For many PA students like us, we did not have much exposure and knowledge of the PA profession until later in life. All of us have benefited from mentors in our path to becoming PAs. We wanted to pay it forward in a small yet meaningful way by helping students from underserved and underrepresented communities better understand the crucial roles PAs have.”
As part of Project Access, Chen and Cobham visited the Donald McKay School, where they led a presentation for fifth-grade students explaining what a PA is and what PAs do. They also facilitated hands-on, interactive stations where students practiced age-appropriate clinical skills, such as using a stethoscope, applying casts, and checking reflexes.
Why representation and communication matter
Through these experiences, Chen and Cobham saw firsthand why Project Access is so impactful. Both Chen and Cobham shared that being able to share their passion for becoming PAs was deeply rewarding. It also reinforced how critical early exposure and representation are in shaping students’ confidence and career aspirations.
“Many of the students had never heard of the PA profession before our visit,” Cobham reflected. “It was a reminder that there are still real barriers to awareness and access. It reinforced the importance of advocating for health equity and helping students from all backgrounds see themselves in healthcare careers.”
As patient populations grow increasingly diverse, the need for diversity within the healthcare workforce becomes even more important. A key goal of the initiative is to reach students who may not otherwise see themselves represented in healthcare and to help them imagine a future as advocates for their own communities.
Project Access also highlighted the importance of health literacy. Explaining medical concepts to a young audience required PA students to break down complex ideas using simple language, analogies, and visuals. All skills that are equally essential when communicating with future patients.
“Our ability as PAs to communicate clearly and ensure patients feel heard and understand their care plan is a critical skill,” said Chen.
Participating in advocacy efforts like Project Access helps PA students strengthen these communication skills while reinforcing the profession’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible.
“As a future PA, I want to continue educating and supporting patients and communities in ways that make healthcare feel more approachable,” said Cobham.
Encouragement for future PA students
Chen and Cobham encourage other PA students to get involved early and explore leadership and outreach opportunities during their training.
“My advice to incoming Tufts PA students is to take advantage of opportunities through TUPASS and other student organizations,” Cobham said. “Your class’s Diversity Chairs often coordinate Project Access and are a great point of contact if you want to be involved.”
Chen echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of mutual learning.
“Be open to learning from the communities you serve,” he said. “Wherever you may end up living or working, engaging in the surrounding communities is crucial for your personal and professional growth. These experiences shape the kind of provider you want to become and contribute to the health of your community.”
