PA Programs Compete For Charity
June 28, 2016
The PA Olympics is an annual event in which Physician Assistant students from different programs all around the Philadelphia area gather at a recreational park called Bamboo Gardens in Vincentown, New Jersey to participate in challenges and games, designed by each program, but more importantly, to come together to raise money for a worthy cause.
Drexel University’s Physician Assistant Program has been a part of the event since its founding in 2003 by Michael Huber ‘94, a professor in Arcadia University's PA program and Drexel graduate. To date, they have been a consistent contributor in helping raise close to $60,000 in support of local charities.
“The PA Olympics has become a renowned cross-cultural event for PA students, faculty, alumni, and guests of local Philadelphia physician assistant programs,” said Ben Judd ’17, a graduate student in Drexel University’s Physician Assistant Program. “The event brings participants together to work collectively in service to raise awareness of a community-based organization.”
Fundraising for the event runs from January to April. Each PA Program raises money through charity events before one larger, combined fundraiser where all of the programs work collectively. “The combined fundraiser event is usually held at a local food and beverage establishment in Philadelphia,” said Judd. “This year it was held at Stephen Starr’s outdoor oasis Frankford Hall on April 1st.”
2016 marked the 14th year for the PA Olympics, and all funds benefitted the Mazzoni Center, which has provided medical care and resources for the LGBT community since 1979. The PA Olympics was very successful in helping support their cause by raising over $15,000 in donations.
“The Mazzoni Center has been delivering quality comprehensive health and wellness services to the LGBTQ community in the Philadelphia region for over 35 years,” said Judd. “Our fundraising will help support the Mazzoni Center’s brand-new clinical complex at Broad and Bainbridge, expected to open to patients in 2017.”
Drexel's PA Olympics team brought home the trophy as this year's winners, but the real achievement is in the ability to support the Mazzoni Center. With such a successful 2016 in the books, the 15th PA Olympics will certainly be something to look forward to, as Drexel attempts to bring home the gold, and raise even more for those in need.
By Jacob Cushing ‘19