/Institutions/MGH-Institute-of-Health-Professions/json/Current/PA-Program-Manual-local.json

/Institutions/MGH-Institute-of-Health-Professions/json/Current/PA-Program-Manual.json

PA Program Manual > Part IV: Appendices > Appendix A: Program Standing Committees

Appendix A: Program Standing Committees

Committee Structure

PA Program Team

• Chair: Program Director
• Members: Medical Director, Principal Faculty, Program Staff
• Charge: Coordinate department related tasks and discuss programmatic issues. Review recommendations of standing committees and make program changes as appropriate. Meets every other week and holds annual retreat for annual program assessment and modifications.

Program Assessment Committee

• Committee: Chair: Program Director
• Members: Associate Director, Director of Clinical Education, 1 faculty, Clinical Education Placement and Systems Associate
• Charge: Establish and monitor effective, ongoing program assessment to meet accreditation standards and ensure consistent, data-driven program improvement.

Admissions Committee:

• Chair: Principle faculty
• Members: 1 additional PA faculty, Program Manager, Program Coordinator, Program Director (advisory capacity)
• Charge: Review admissions criteria and rubrics. Analyze data related to admissions factors that influence student success, cohort diversity, and program outcomes. Recommend modifications to Program Team based on data analysis. Ensure admissions criteria is fairly applied and up to date on the program website and in all admissions materials. Liaison with the Admissions Department regarding recruitment, admissions cycle preparation, enrollment management, and admissions policies and practices.

Curriculum Committee:

• Chair: Associate Director
• Members: Program Director, Clinical Team member, 1 principle PA faculty, term or guest lecturer, Institute instructional designer, student rep.
• Charge: Analyze data to determine efficacy of courses and curriculum and recommend changes to the Program Team. Identify gaps and weaknesses based on national benchmarks (Packrat/PANCE), course evaluations, student performance in courses, and faculty input.

Student Development Committee (SDC):

Purpose: The Student Development Committee (SDC) is a standing committee composed of PA faculty charged with the review and maintenance of the academic and/or professional standards of the PA Program. The Committee is responsible for monitoring student performance and assisting students with academic and professional issues as they progress towards graduation to ensure all students meet program standards. The SDC makes recommendations to the Program Director who is responsible for final determinations of academic progress and progression. 

Process: At the end of each semester, the SDC reviews the academic, clinical, and professional performance of each student. The SDC may also review the academic performance and/or professional conduct of any student who is brought to the committee’s attention by any faculty member or administrator.

The SDC makes recommendations to the Program Director for consideration of remediation or dismissal. The process to appeal decisions of the SDC is outlined under the “Appeals and Grievances” section.

Composition of the Committee: In most instances, the Medical Director will serve as committee chair.  All PA principal faculty members may serve on the committee. When academic dishonesty or professional misconduct arises, one faculty member from another program/discipline and at least one PA program faculty member who is not the student’s advisor and is not associated with the incident may be asked to serve on the committee.

PA Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee:

• Chair: Faculty member with teaching/research/service experience in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Members: One faculty member, 2-3 first year students, 1-2 second year student(s), 1-2 alumni
• Charge: Ongoing assessment of program culture and climate in ensuring a diverse, inclusive learning and working environment. Assess program success in meeting goals for faculty, staff, and student diversity. Establish transparency and lines of communication regarding JEDI work and issues. Recommend improvements and changes to Program Team. Liaison with IHP JEDI office and other departments at the Institute to integrate expertise and best practices in the committee’s work.