This June, high school students got a head start on careers in medicine during a dynamic, hands-on event hosted at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. The event, called PA Student Success (P.A.S.S.), was a partnership between the University’s Physician Assistant Studies program and Upward Bound.

Over the course of a day, students rotated through stations focused on clinical fundamentals like anatomy, ultrasound technology and blood pressure measuring. For many, it was their first real glimpse into the world of medicine — and into a career they may not have even known existed.

“There were many reasons why we wanted to take part in P.A.S.S.,” said Nathan Heitzenrader, a first-year physician assistant (PA) student. “The two main reasons for me were to give back to my community and educate others about the profession and scope of practice of a physician assistant. Another important goal was to teach students what a PA is and what we are trained to do. Out of the 91 students we worked with, not one knew what a PA was or what the profession entails. It was incredibly rewarding to raise awareness about the profession and share the range of skills we possess. Speaking for myself, I didn’t know what a PA was until my second year of college. Had I known sooner, I would have chosen this path from the very beginning.”

P.A.S.S. is more than a day of learning — it’s a recruitment and outreach initiative designed to spark interest in health care careers among K-12 students from all backgrounds. Its ultimate goal is to expand access to primary care and address the growing need for trained health care professionals, like PAs, especially in underserved communities.

According to the National Library of Medicine, Nevada is ranked 48th for the number of primary care doctors available for 100,000 Nevadans. At this rate, the state needs 2,561 physicians in health care to meet the demands.

“I believe that exposure to health care professions early and connection with those in the field is of utmost importance to plant the seed early, spark interest in the sciences, foster a love for caring for others and to show students from various backgrounds what is possible,” said Angel Cappiello, assistant professor of Physician Assistant Studies at the University. “For our students it helps them connect to why they want to be a PA, create pathways to mentorship and a connection to the community they will soon serve.”

The event featured three interactive learning stations. At the first, Upward Bound students learned about the role of PAs in the health care system and were taught to use ultrasound scanners to identify bones. At the second station, they explored heart function with custom models created by the PA students and practiced measuring blood pressure. At the final station, students observed cardiac ultrasound and engaged in a Q&A session with PA students.

The event aligns with the broader mission of Upward Bound, a program that serves 246 first-generation students at the University of Nevada, Reno. Through academic support, leadership development and mentorship, the program prepares students to thrive in college and beyond.

"Learning about and being exposed to various careers before we graduate from college is important because it helps us figure out what career paths to explore further” said an 11th-grade Upward Bound student. “When we had the opportunity to learn about a career as a PA, I did not know how big of an impact they have on our community. Through career exploration, I have decided that I want to study neurology."

The event was made possible through the leadership of PA program faculty and staff, including Cappiello and Rubina Hackbusch, manager of student affairs. First-year PA student coordinators included leaders of the PA program’s Community Engagement Committee Kallista Brown, Kaila Allard, Nathan Heitzenrader and Ariel Duran, in conjunction with additional committee PA student members.

The P.A.S.S. event is part of a growing effort by the Physician Assistant Education Association to introduce younger students to health care careers, increase the overall health of the growing patient population and address the rising demand for medical professionals across the country.