Physician Assistant Student Jennifer Echols Receives Award

Physician Assistant student Jennifer Echols

Jennifer Echols is passionate about providing help to medically underserved people around the globe.

The work of the second-year physician assistant student at Mississippi College is receiving national attention.

A resident of Andalusia, Alabama, Echols will travel to a national convention in San Diego, California on August 26^th to present her independent service learning project. As a U.S. medical delegate in Australia, Jennifer became better educated on universal healthcare and disparities faced by medical providers.

Echols is also very familiar with the extensive healthcare needs in her own region of the United States. She’s involved in the Primary Care Leadership Program site, the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in the capital city that serves many low-income families in Central Mississippi.

A former teacher, Jennifer wants to continue to make patient education a top priority after receiving her diploma as a physician assistant at Mississippi College’s December 2014 graduation.

Echols will present her service learning project findings at the National Association of Community Health Centers Community Health Institute & Expo in late August.

Leaders of MC’s Physician Assistant Program are delighted to learn of the award for Echols.

“Ms Echols is an excellent example of the type of students we have in the program,” says Dr. Bob Philpot, the program’s director since it began three years ago. “We’re very proud to have her represent Mississippi College at this prestigious national forum.”

Jennifer was selected to join the inaugural class of the Physician Assistant Education Association Student Health Policy Fellowship.

Enrolling 90 graduate students, MC’s program trains medical professionals to work under the supervision of physicians. It takes two and one-half years to complete the program that seeks to address major healthcare challenges in the South and across the nation.

The P.A. program at Mississippi College works with the University of Mississippi Medical Center and other healthcare facilities in the region. It’s one-of-a-kind in the Magnolia State.