BUCKHANNON — West Virginia Wesleyan College has announced the launch of a new Physician Assistant (PA) program at the College.

The college is projecting a January 2028 status approval date for accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant and anticipates the inaugural PA class to be held in May of 2028 at Battlers Knob in Philippi.

With the new program, West Virginia Wesleyan hopes to fill a critical gap in rural healthcare. There are currently hundreds of job openings for Physician Assistants across the state of West Virginia.

“West Virginia Wesleyan College is excited and proud to make this announcement,” said Wesleyan President Dr. James Moore. “As the region’s leader in care-centered healthcare education, we believe that it’s central to our mission to launch programs that will produce graduates who will improve the healthcare outcomes of West Virginians and Appalachians. We are grateful to our healthcare partners for their guidance and partnership in this exciting new program.”

Entrance into Physician Assistant schools is highly competitive, with roughly one-fourth of applicants accepted. There are five Physician Assistant programs in West Virginia, but none are located geographically between Charleston and Morgantown.

“The physician assistant profession is essential to meeting the growing healthcare needs of West Virginia and the greater Appalachian region,” said Provost Wesleyan Dr. Lynn M. Linder. “By launching this program, we are preparing skilled, compassionate providers who will expand access to care, strengthen healthcare systems, and build healthier communities. This is not only an investment in our students, but a legacy that will shape lives and reaffirm West Virginia Wesleyan College’s leadership in healthcare education and workforce development.”

Deanna Leach, DMSc, PA-C, has been hired as the program’s first director. Leach served as associate director of the previous program at the former Alderson Broaddus University and most recently as assistant director of the PA program at West Liberty University.

Since Alderson Broaddus’ closure, Wesleyan has partnered with Battlers Knob to plan and execute in-person programs and services. Wesleyan will host an event at Battlers Knob on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. to formally celebrate the announcement and partnerships.

“The establishment of a new program to educate future PAs is a monumental step forward for the health and well-being of our communities,” said Glen E. Combs, president of the Hu C. Myers Association and alum of the Alderson Broaddus PA Program. “It signifies a strong commitment by West Virginia Wesleyan to educate skilled medical practitioners, particularly in our state’s rural and underserved regions. By educating a new generation of compassionate and competent PAs, we are not only enriching our local workforce but also ensuring that more West Virginians have access to the quality medical care that they deserve. This new PA program will be a beacon of opportunity, fostering educational excellence and building a healthier future for all.”