USF’s Morsani College of Medicine’s physician assistant program celebrated 49 new students entering the program this month. ORACLE PHOTO/ZAHIR NELSON

USF welcomed just under 50 new students into the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine’s two-year physician assistant program this month.

Students attended the Commitment to the Profession Ceremony on Oct. 3, an event that marks the transition from students to future medical professionals, according to USF Health.

During the ceremony, students took the Physician Assistant Oath — a promise to ethical care standards, according to USF Newsroom.

The physician assistant program is a graduate program to which students apply during their junior year of college, according to USF Health.

Kim Monroe, the clinical director of the physician assistant program, said the ceremony is the start of students’ journey in the program and health care.

She said the white coat they wear during the event stands for “trust, service and dedication” to patient care.

“The ceremony also stresses important qualities for physician assistants — empathy, integrity, teamwork and respect,” Monroe said.

She said the ceremony is about support and wearing white coats with “pride and humility” as new students enter the program.

For some program leaders and students, the ceremony is more than a formal event — it’s a reminder of why they chose to become physician assistants in the first place.

Related: USF debuts new concentration to train students in health care simulation 

Larry Collins, the associate director of the physician assistant program, led the oath, with students following to make a promise of their dedication to ethical patient health and safety.

“I hope students don’t just say the words but understand what they mean,” he said. “This journey will let them make a big difference in people’s lives.”

Collins said the program is meaningful to students as they enter the program, but also to faculty and staff within the program who get to watch and guide the students as they progress through their studies.

“It’s a chance to think about our own careers and what we want to inspire in our students,” Collins said. “It reminds us that our first responsibility is always to our patients.”

Collins said student support systems are important for physician assistant students because it allows them to rely on others to make an otherwise difficult experience easier.

“Without this support, the journey would be much harder,” Collins said. “We encourage students to take care of themselves, involve loved ones and use all the resources USF offers to grow into skilled and caring health care providers.”

Related: USF Health marks 20 years of growth, collaboration 

Kristyn Migenes, a sophomore pre-physician assistant biological health sciences major, said the ceremony is a milestone for physician assistants that she is looking forward to being a part of in the next few years.

“It’s a really important commitment and should be taken seriously,” she said. “I want my patients to feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for — they are my top priority.”

Migenes said she hopes to one day be in the same spot as the students who took the oath this year. 

“When I finally get there, I want to remember why I started,” she said. 

Migenes said she first discovered her interest in becoming a physician assistant after seeing her father, a microbiologist, work in health care. She said this inspired her to follow a similar path.

“When I learned what PAs do, how they work closely with patients, especially in women’s health and emergency medicine, it just felt right to me,” Migenes said.

Related: USF’s biomedical engineering program is getting new labs 

Gemma Lucarelli, a junior biomedical sciences major on the pre-physician assistant track, said becoming a physician assistant has always “felt right.”

Lucarelli said her older sister went to the University of Tampa and inspired her to choose the program at USF.

“Seeing how much she loves what she’s doing really motivated me,” Lucarelli said. “I’ve always wanted a career where I can help people, and the PA role just fits perfectly. It’s hands-on, team-oriented, and super rewarding.”

As Lucarelli prepares to apply to physician assistant programs, she said she is working to stay on track with her homework and studying to maintain her GPA.

“My coursework has given me a solid foundation in science, and different opportunities like volunteering have strengthened my leadership and communication skills,” Lucarelli said.

Lucarelli said she is excited to get into the field and have the opportunity to help people every day.

“Becoming a PA isn’t just about learning medicine,” Lucarelli said. “It’s about learning how to listen, how to care and how to make a difference in someone’s life.”