Which institution is associated with the development of the surgical training track for Physician Assistants?

• A. Johns Hopkins
• B. University of Colorado
• C. Stanford
• D. University of Alabama

Answer: (D)

This item looks at who helped establish a formal surgical training path for Physician Assistants and why that institution is tied to it. The University of Alabama is recognized for pioneering the surgical training track that integrated PAs into operating rooms, created structured OR-based rotations, and set up supervision and credentialing practices aligned with surgeons. This work helped standardize how PAs are trained to assist in surgery and operate in surgical teams, influencing programs nationwide. While other institutions have played major roles in medical education and PA programs overall, the development of a dedicated surgical PA track is most closely associated with the University of Alabama, which served as a model for later surgical PA training.