Mississippi State Meridian Physician Assistant Studies Program

Mississippi State University’s Center for Simulation is the first of its kind in the Magnolia State to earn the Human Simulation accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

https://www.meridian.msstate.edu/news/2026/06/msu-center-simulation-earns-accreditation-prestigious-international-healthcare-society

Congratulations to Mississippi State University-Meridian Master of Physician Assistant Studies students, who earned their long white coats last week in a time-honored tradition that signifies their readiness to enter the healthcare field as providers.

We're so very proud of you!

Meridian High School students got a few hands-on lessons from MSU-Meridian Master of Physician Assistant Studies students last week as part of the program's community outreach. PA program faculty have extended an invitation to all interested high schoolers to learn more about the role of a physician assistant. The high schoolers spend a half day touring the campus, labs, classrooms, Interprofessional Simulation Center and more. For more information on the campus tour, contact Program Director and Department Head Dr. Pamela Vayda at (601) 484-0160.

MSU-Meridian's Master of Physician Assistant Studies students combined work with play recently during a pediatric evaluation at the school's PA laboratory classroom. Students evaluated heart rates and checked ears, reflexes, mobility, blood pressures and more during the evaluation.

We thank all of our young and very enthusiastic participants for lending a hand!

Thinking About a Career as a Physician Assistant? Join Us Tomorrow!

Explore how our Master of Physician Assistant Studies program can help launch your future in healthcare. Don’t miss our Virtual Information Session on April 21st from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST for an inside look at the program and how it supports your career goals.

Can't make it on April 21st, no problem-we have options!

💻 RSVP now to save your spot today!

Information Sessions | Health Professions

MSU-Meridian appreciates Lamar High School students, who came to our Riley campus this week to spend time with our Master of Physician Assistant Studies students. Students took classes in Anatomage, suturing, blood pressure, cranial nerves and the musculoskeletal system.

Training the healthcare leaders of tomorrow and Taking Care of What Matters!

We are so very proud of our Master of Physician Assistant Studies students for moving from the didactic phase of their education into clinical rotations. Read all about it here:

https://www.healthprofessions.msstate.edu/news/2026/03/msu-meridian-2027-pa-class-receives-white-coats-ceremony

Mississippi State University-Meridian and Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center are announcing a new collaboration to provide more than 500 university students with direct access to one of the city’s primary care clinics for minor illnesses and injuries.
Read about it here:
https://www.meridian.msstate.edu/news/2026/03/msu-meridian-baptist-anderson-create-student-care-clinic

Here are some special moments from today's Master of Physician Assistant Studies White Coat ceremony, a rite of passage signifying the readiness of MSU-Meridian's Class of 2027 PA students to leave the didactic phase of their education to enter their clinical phase of study.

This is a time-honored tradition marking the readiness of these students to learn with real patients in the clinical setting. Congratulations, students!

MSU-Meridian Master of Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Science in Nursing students, along with MSU social work students, recently participated in a sepsis simulation at Meridian's Interprofessional Simulation Center. The center was designed to accurately mimic real patient and exams rooms to educate and train students enrolled in healthcare programs.
The simulation involves the use of mannequins that are controlled by faculty in observation rooms and standardized patients, who are actors trained for such simulations. Students then meet to discuss the simulation and outcomes.

This is yet another way MSU is Taking Care of What Matters!