Physician Assistant Priscilla Resser Excels as a Medical Professional

Physician assistant Priscilla Resser is an MC graduate.

The state’s first physician assistant working in the field of plastic surgery, Priscilla Resser is a proud 2019 Mississippi College graduate. She loves her profession.

MC leaders commend her persistence and excellence in the medical field. Priscilla trained under plastic surgeons and dermatologists as a graduate student in the university’s physician assistant program.

Resser is employed at the Mississippi Center for Plastic Surgery. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Steckler offers advanced cosmetic procedures to patients at the center in Ridgeland.

Dr. Steve Martin, director of MC’s physician assistant program, is impressed with Priscilla Resser’s skills as a dedicated medical professional.

“I couldn’t be more proud of PA Resser,” Dr. Martin said. “Her persistence in pursuing her dream is truly an inspiration.”

Her work in the plastic surgery field in the Magnolia State is definitely a plus, he noted. “I’m also pleased that physicians in Mississippi are increasingly recognizing the value of having a PA on their team as they care for patients.”

Resser is an alumna of a rigorous 30-month MC program training graduate students to work under the supervision of physicians. Mississippi College launched the state’s first program in 2011. Students take classes at the Baptist Healthplex on the Clinton campus.

A “Jackson Free Press” story in late July penned by MC English education grad Taylor Hathorn featured Resser’s success story. The Hattiesburg native landed a job in the competitive plastic surgery field after being rejected numerous times.

Stan Baldwin, the dean of MC’s School of Science & Mathematics, is delighted to see Priscilla Resser recognized for her accomplishments early in her career.

“Ms. Resser is an example of the excellent graduates that MC’s Physician Assistant program sends out to the healthcare community,” Dr. Baldwin said. “She will represent Mississippi College very well with her professionalism, knowledge base and commitment to serve those in need.”

Dr. Baldwin serves as a professor of neuroscience and anatomy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He led efforts getting MC’s program off the ground nearly a decade ago and pressed  for its many achievements. The Mississippi College graduate program is nationally accredited.

Resser earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg in 2016 before enrolling as a physician assistant graduate student.

Plastic surgery is a broad field. It includes not only cosmetic or aesthetic surgery, but also surgical repair of congenital deformities such as cleft lip and palate, along with post-surgical reconstruction.

MC’s physician assistant program this summer enrolled 36 graduate students in its new cohort class, its largest in school history. It boosts overall PA enrollment at the Christian university to more than 90 students.

The new cohort class is staying busy on the Clinton campus learning while wearing masks and getting regular temperature checks amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there are clinical rotations happening after stopping for over two months due to the worldwide health emergency.

At the moment, the coronavirus outbreak produced 4.78 million cases across the USA, including more than 61,125 COVID-19 cases in Mississippi, as of August 3.

Physician assistant students are taking classes with stepped up health procedures in place all over the Clinton campus.

“We’re at a 100 percent return now, which is truly a miracle,” Dr. Steve Martin said. “We have an amazing team of faculty and staff helping them to be successful.”