MEDEX Northwest: Workforce Innovations

Physician Assistant Program Outreach to Military Service Members as Potential Applicants

“…1,2 At the University of Washington MEDEX program, Dr Richard Smith, the MEDEX founder, viewed this strategy partly in terms of the nation's responsibility to provide meaningful career pathways for those who had served our country but whose military medical experience did not translate directly into civilian health professions. 1,2 At the University of Washington MEDEX program, Dr Richard Smith, the MEDEX founder, viewed this strategy partly in terms of the nation's responsibility to provide meaningful career pathways for those who had served our country but whose military medical experience did not translate directly into civilian health professions.…”

Rent-a-MEDEX

“…1 One of the early PA prototypes that took root domestically and had an international component was the MEDEX concept. 2 Richard A. "Dick" Smith, MD, MPH, was the founder of the MEDEX Northwest program at the University of Washington.…”

“…The physician associate/assistant (PA) movement in the United States began through several initiatives in the 1960s and was not coordinated or standardized as one professional entity until the late 1970s, when federal funding for primary care education was initiated 1. One of the early PA prototypes that took root domestically and had an international component was the MEDEX concept 2…”

“…The MEDEX Council was an eight-university collaborative across the country that produced a graduate “Mx” in 15 to 18 months 4. The program relied on an apprentice model of dual employment and clinical skills upgrade while the student worked with one or a small group of physicians 2. The University of Utah was an early adopter of MEDEX and opened its doors to applicants in 1971 5…”

“…4 The program relied on an apprentice model of dual employment and clinical skills upgrade while the student worked with one or a small group of physicians. 2 The University of Utah was an early adopter of MEDEX and opened its doors to applicants in 1971. 5 In the early years of the Utah MEDEX demonstration project, a Health Manpower Incentive Award from the federal Bureau of Health Resources Development provided partial fi nancing to enable offi ce-based physicians in the Intermountain West to use the services of a graduate PA for 2 to 6 weeks.…”