Which statement best describes Dr. Richard Smith?

• A. Proposed concept of PAs at AMA.
• B. Created the first MEDEX program at the University of Washington and the graduates matched with physician preceptors in underserved areas.
• C. Started the first PA program at Duke.
• D. Founded the AAPA in 1968.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing who shaped PA education by creating a model that combined practical training with service to underserved areas. Dr. Richard Smith is known for establishing the MEDEX program at the University of Washington, which was the first physician assistant program. The program trained graduates to work under physician supervision and often placed them with physician preceptors in underserved communities. This approach demonstrated how trained non-physician clinicians could extend medical care to areas with limited access, becoming a foundational model for PA education and deployment.

This description is the best fit because it directly ties Smith to the pioneering MEDEX program and its emphasis on supervised, community-focused training. The other statements attribute different firsts to him—such as starting the first PA program at Duke, founding the AAPA, or proposing the PA concept at the AMA—none of which correctly reflect his primary contribution to the profession.