August 16th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Frostburg State University Physician Assistant (PA) Program’s Class of 2025 cohort of 24 students was successful in achieving a 100% pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), exceeding the national exam pass rate of 92%. “This is an amazing accomplishment for the faculty, staff and students who are part of this program,” said Yum Nguyen, PhD, ATC, interim assistant dean in FSU’s College of Education and Health & Natural Sciences.

FSU’s chair and program director of the PA program, Laurarose Dunn-O’Farrell, MPAS, MS, PA-C, LCPC, echoed those sentiments. “This score is an incredible accomplishment that exceeds the goals of the program. Most importantly, it highlights our students’ dedication to meeting the challenge of rigorous learning requirements to safely practice as competent healthcare providers and their unwavering commitment to the PA profession.”

PA programs are monitored by the accrediting body relative to first time test takers’ achievement. Passing the board exam on the first attempt is an important metric, illustrating competency of the new PA graduate and reflecting the PA program’s effectiveness in preparing them for clinical practice and patient care. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is the certifying organization for PAs in the U.S., providing certification programs reflective of standards for clinical knowledge and reasoning and other medical skills and professional behaviors required to practice as a PA.