NE AHEC Student Services Coordinator Sue Russell Recognized by UKPA Program

Northeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center (NE KY AHEC) Student Services Coordinator Sue Russell was recently recognized for her long-term commitment to the University of Kentucky’s Physician Assistant Studies Program.

During the UKPA Program’s 50^th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 25, Russell received one of three Honorary PA awards, given to non-PA professionals who have shown exceptional support for the UKPA program and the physician assistant profession.

“Oh, my goodness, this is such a surprise,” Russell said. “I am incredibly grateful and deeply honored to work with this program, and all of the faculty, staff, students, and clinical preceptors across northeastern Kentucky. Thank you so much for this award and opportunity.”

David A. Gross, NE KY AHEC’s director, nominated Sue based on her more than 15 years of coordinating PA students’ clinical rotations and her advocacy for including PA representation on the NE KY AHEC’s advisory board and annual Graduation Celebration.

“Sue has coordinated hundreds of PA student clinical rotations over the years,” Gross said, “including many with current preceptors who she previously assisted as students. It’s hard to imagine any non-PA who has had that level of involvement with the UKPA program and the broader PA profession within Kentucky.”

According to a UK press release, “more than 50 percent of all currently practicing PAs in the state graduated from the UKPA Program, which is ranked in the top 10 percent nationally. Since welcoming its first class in 1974, the UKPA Program has been a pioneer in training competent, compassionate, and mission-driven health care providers. As one of the earliest PA programs in the nation, UK has graduated more than 1,900 physician assistants, many of whom serve in rural communities, academic medicine, research, and leadership roles across Kentucky and beyond.”