UTRGV Physician Assistant Class of 2021

Now it's easier to send UTRGV Physician Assistant Class of 2021 a message.

This past week was a hurdle of unexpected surprises. For those effected by the weather, save the date! Feb 24 from 7-11am, the city of Edinburg will be hosting an emergency food distribution.

9AM UPDATE: DISTRIBUTION HAS ENDED.

Food Bank RGV INC and the City of Edinburg are hosting a mass drive-thru emergency food distribution Wednesday, February 24 from 7-11a.m. or until capacity is reached. This event is open to ALL residents of the RGV who are in need of food. Registration is not required but please follow the requirements below:

- Only two members of the family per car
- Must wear face coverings
- Have empty car trunk
- Provide valid ID AND proof of residency (utility bill)

EDINBURG 24-HOUR WARMING CENTER NOW OPEN

The City of Edinburg has activated a warming center at the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, located at 1906 S. Closner Blvd, effective immediately. The 24-hour warming center will remain open until power is restored in the city.

Residents will have access to the library’s WIFI and have the ability to charge their electronic devices. They asked to bring their own bedding, medication, non-perishable food and snacks.

Residents will be screened, temperature checks will be taken at the door and social distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced. Facial coverings and masks must be worn at all times. Space is limited and occupancy will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

If you have recently tested positive for COVID, you are to shelter in place according to quarantine guidelines set by the CDC.

*NO PETS ALLOWED

If you have any questions, you can call the City Helpline at 956-259-HELP.

***SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY***

The PA foundation scholarship for cycle 1 opens on Monday, January 11th. This year they are separating application cycles based on birth year. Anyone born on an even-numbered year (e.g. 1990, 1992, 1994, etc.) may apply during cycle 1. Anyone born on an odd-numbered year must wait until cycle 2, which opens on June 14th. Please see the link below to start your application! Remember that you must be a student AAPA member in order to be eligible.

https://pa-foundation.org/scholarships-fellowships/pa-student-scholarships/

PA Student Scholarships - PA Foundation PA Foundation scholarships provide financial support for PA students who are passionate about the PA profession and improving health through service.

A special message from our Community Outreach Coordinator: “This Christmas was one for the books. With Covid shaking our lives this year, we realized that Christmas cheer was in higher demand. Through contributions from our students, faculty, friends and local businesses, the UTRGV PA program was able to donate toys and HEB gift cards to 21 families from colonias in the RGV. My heart was filled with joy yesterday. I feel grateful and blessed to have had the privilege to have been surrounded by such wonderful people. Sending everyone many blessings this holiday season!”

Thank you Eleaine Barron for coordinating this special event and spreading the Christmas cheer to some amazing RGV families 🎄🎅🏽🎁

You still have a few more days to claim your Digital Dozens :) Tag your friends in the comments to spread the word!

Interested in supporting our class AND love doughnuts? We have the fundraiser for you! The Class of 2021 is raising money with "Digital Dozens." For every dozen you purchase, our class gets 100% of the profits to use for community and class events. Read the flyer below for all the details, and sign up to buy through this google link.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R6PYjkYzBdE0oLIzTYJejAOqCF-Ql3LbfdZoJZe8CSg/edit =0

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Interested in supporting our class AND love doughnuts? We have the fundraiser for you! The Class of 2021 is raising money with "Digital Dozens." For every dozen you purchase, our class gets 100% of the profits to use for community and class events. Read the flyer below for all the details, and sign up to buy through this google link.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R6PYjkYzBdE0oLIzTYJejAOqCF-Ql3LbfdZoJZe8CSg/edit =0

Still don’t know what to have for dinner? Let us help! Stop by Chipotle on 10th street before 8pm and mention the UTRGV PA program, show this flyer or use the code WMZHH2T on the app to support our program!

Always looking for an excuse to go to Chipotle? Yeah, me too. So here you go🙌🏻 you’re welcome😉

🔈🔈🔈 Don’t feel like cooking? We’ve got you covered 😉 Stop by Chipotle on 10th street between 4-8pm, pick up dinner and show this flyer to support the UTRGV PA Class of 2021! You can also order through the app - just make sure you enter the code WMZHH2T!

PS: We hear their carne asada is back and delicious! 😋

🔈🔈🔈 Don’t feel like cooking? We’ve got you covered 😉 Stop by Chipotle on 10th street between 4-8pm, pick up dinner and show this flyer to support the UTRGV PA Class of 2021! You can also order through the app - just make sure you enter the code WMZHH2T!

PS: We hear their carne asada is back and delicious! 😋

Find flu vaccine locations in your area!

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/flu-finder-widget.html

Vaccine Finder

Join us in encouraging patients, friends and family to get their flu vaccination this year! Please share this post or CDC video to help increase public awareness. American Academy of PAs CDC

https://youtu.be/02ICysV_t1E

Roll Up Your Sleeve for Your Annual Flu Vaccine Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 flu season to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. This fall and win...

There has been a significant drop in vaccinations, including childhood immunizations, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This raises significant concerns about vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

Check out the CDC link below, providing guidelines for vaccinations during this pandemic. Please share with friends, family and colleagues!
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance/index.html

UTRGV takes over TAPA’s Instagram today. Tune in to their story! Texas Academy of Physician Assistants

https://instagram.com/txacademyofpas?igshid=1qlu4paisdlot

This PA Week, consider donating to the PA Foundation.

When you give to the PA Foundation, you’re empowering PAs to improve health in their communities and supporting the next generation of PA leaders through scholarship opportunities.

We want to thank all of the PAs who dedicate so much of their time and energy to their students and community!

Check out AAPA's Instagram for career advice by two experts:
Andrea Lowe, MHA, PA-C, Director of Employer Strategy, and Tim McCall, PhD, Associate Director, Surveys & Analysis and author of AAPA’s Salary Report, take over AAPA’s Instagram stories to answer your career-related questions!

How can you be a PA Advocate?

Are you a writer? Well-spoken? Creative? Utilize your unique strengths to advocate for the profession at the Federal, State, or City level.

Check out this link from AAPA for some ideas: https://www.aapa.org/events/pa-week/ -4-oct-8-be-a-pa-advocate

Share your own ideas too in the comments!

SHARE YOUR WHY – What inspires you to become a PA?
American Academy of PAs

These are three of many PAs that have shown how ESSENTIAL they are, as they have worked on the frontlines of the pandemic – putting themselves at risk for the good of the community.

Their leadership and optimism inspire us as future PAs.

American Academy of PAs Texas Academy of Physician Assistants

Do you have career- or salary-related questions? Head over to AAPA’s Instagram, follow us, and submit your questions for PA Week’s “Ask the Experts” day, which our experts will answer there on October 9th! http://bit.ly/2DiShab

Point of Care UltraSound via Zoom was a Success 🤓

Special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Skubic & Dr. Rebecca Uhlmann for generously sharing a portion of their time-off to teach! Can’t wait to learn more!
UTRGV PA class of 2021, UT Health RGV, UTRGV - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Society of Point of Care Ultrasound, Student Academy of AAPA, American Academy of PAs

*Follow Dr. Skubic on Twitter

Everyone start getting ready for PA Week! It’s October 6th -12th and we’re going to be putting together a lot of different activities partnering TAPA, UTRGV, and the other Texas PA programs. There will be many fun ways to support your profession! Right now we’re nominating outstanding heroes in the PA profession so if you know anyone you’d like to nominate you can start here! Let your TAPA Representative know if you have any questions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE1hUH1gR_P/?igshid=r3w9qpn4khbe

This year for PA week, we will be highlighting one PA Hero per day via social media. We are currently accepting nominations for such honor! Please fill out the google form below to nominate a PA colleague or yourself for outstanding efforts in the COVID fight, PA education, PA advocacy, etc. All you need is a short bio and photograph of the nominee! All nominations are due September 30th. The PA Hero must be a TAPA member in order to be chosen for a highlight. https://forms.gle/WDYgJpEqeM5tX2Mu5

A few weeks ago, the Class of 2021 had the opportunity to learn point of care ultrasound by the talented Mr. Patrick Bafuma, PA-C. We want to thank Mr. Bafuma & the vendors, GE and Terason, for donating their time & equipment in order to make this event possible. Thank you for the opportunity to learn and strengthen our clinical skills!

Today is a very big deal! After 9 exams this week, the Class of 2021 is moving on to clinical rotations. 🥳 One step closer to the finish line!

Welcome to the eyes of a physician assistant student learning medicine via online platforms. 💉A virtual suture practical is just one of the many ways students have adjusted to online learning this semester!

‼️ LINK TO MAP
https://cityofedinburg.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html #/34e253b9fda2440fb7535c38dd666569

We have created a map with all the flooded streets in the City of Edinburg that will be constantly updated. Please stay safe and stay home, and call 911 if evacuation is needed.

Daniela Garza is a former graduate of our PA program. Check out her story below to see how she’s been at the frontline battling COVID-19 in our community!

Meet Daniela Garza, one of our UT Health RGV professionals on the front lines!

“I stayed here because I wanted everyone to see what the Valley could create and what the Valley could produce,” she said. “I like to think we’re the heroes without the capes. We may be huffing and puffing about the heat, but we will always serve every single patient who comes to us. I will do this job for as long as they need me to be out here testing the people of my community.”

Together, we will get through this 🧡

Read her story here: https://www.utrgv.edu/newsroom/utrgv-on-the-front-lines/2020/daniela-garza.htm

PCR vs Antibody testing. What’s the difference? Check out the description below! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

Do you know the difference between COVID-19 PCR vs. Antibody Testing? If not here are some helpful facts explained

Interesting publication! Disclaimer: Correlation does Not mean Causation.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2020283?utm_source=The+Scope&utm_campaign=6f141b49dc-Weekly_Scope_Jan_12_2018_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_809ad7d22b-6f141b49dc-180816477

Genomewide Association Study of Severe Covid-19 with Respiratory Failure | NEJM Original Article from The New England Journal of Medicine — Genomewide Association Study of Severe Covid-19 with Respiratory Failure

🚨Have you tested positive for COVID-19? 🚨 If you have, the RGV medical community is asking for your help to DONATE PLASMA. Your plasma will be used to help RGV patients who are suffering from COVID-19. To donate, please call: 956-215-3166 or 504-444-2318. There is no cost to donate. You may receive financial compensation for your participation.