10/11/2025
This fall, the University of Detroit Mercy’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program was honored with the Physician Assistant Education Association’s Excellence in PA Education Award, one of the highest national recognitions in the field. First established in 2003, the award is given annually to only one PA program nationwide, making this recognition especially significant. Detroit Mercy is the only PA program in Michigan ever to receive this honor. This prestigious award celebrates programs that demonstrate a strong and lasting commitment to preparing students to provide outstanding care to diverse patient populations. Detroit Mercy’s PA Program, founded in 1972, was selected for its dedication to welcoming and supporting students from all backgrounds, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and advancing excellence through research and scholarship. The program also stood out for its leadership in outreach, advocacy, and service, as well as its commitment to providing enriching learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. Faculty members from the program formally accepted the award at the PAEA Fall Conference in San Diego, California, on October 9, 2025. This recognition affirms Detroit Mercy’s place as a leader in shaping compassionate, knowledgeable, and socially responsible healthcare professionals who make a difference in communities near and far.