MTSU Physician Assistant Studies students to showcase research
Middle Tennessee State University students in the Physician Assistant Studies program will showcase their research during the annual Capstone and Poster Symposium on Friday, July 31, giving the public an opportunity to explore healthcare topics and meet the next generation of medical professionals.
The free event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. inside the Academic Classroom Building, 1751 MTSU Blvd. Visitors from off campus will need a parking permit, which can be obtained at https://parking.mtsu.edu/visit/. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the building.
“The poster symposium is the final academic presentation for our first-year students before they transition into clinical rotations and the Capstone is the final research project required of all students before graduation,” said William “Brad” McCrary, assistant professor in Physician Assistant Studies and director of didactic education.
Physician assistants, also known as PAs, are licensed healthcare professionals who practice medicine in a wide range of specialties and clinical settings. They work alongside physicians and other providers to expand access to patient-centered care.
The symposium will feature a broad range of student research topics, including original studies on the effects of social media on health literacy, proposals for future research, and literature reviews examining current medical issues such as GLP-1 medications including Ozempic and Wegovy.
“We believe many of these topics have real value beyond the classroom,” McCrary said. “Our students are exploring questions that matter to patients, clinicians, and communities, and this event gives them the opportunity to share that work with a broader audience.”
Research posters summarizing semester-long Critical Appraisal course projects will be displayed in the Academic Classroom Building atrium, while Capstone presentations will be held every 20 minutes in nearby classrooms.
Attendees are encouraged to interact with the students and learn more about their work.
“Students will be available to answer questions about their research,” McCrary said. “I would encourage those attending to ask students why they chose the topics and how the research would affect patient care. Those kinds of questions allow students to explain not only their findings, but also why their work matters.”
Faculty members will also be available throughout the event to discuss the MTSU Physician Assistant Studies curriculum and the important role physician assistants play in today's healthcare system.
“We welcome any chance to educate the public about our profession, our students, and the impact they are already making,” McCrary said. “Our students are deeply committed to volunteerism and community service. Each cohort collectively contributes hundreds of hours of service each semester at organizations such as shelters for unhoused individuals, equine therapy centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, community gardens, the Salvation Army, and many others.”
The symposium is designed as a come-and-go event, allowing visitors to attend as many presentations as they wish throughout the afternoon.
“More than anything, I want people to know that this event is a celebration of our students' growth, curiosity, and commitment to patient care,” McCrary said. “They have worked incredibly hard, and this symposium gives the community a chance to see the depth of their education, the quality of their research, and the future clinicians they are becoming.”
