The Red Rocks Community College Physician Assistant (PA) program will honor its ninth graduating class of 26 physician assistants on August 16.

Physician assistants provide a full range of medical care under the supervision of a licensed physician. The Red Rocks program, one of two in the state, focuses on training PAs to work with underserved populations such as low-income, rural residents and the elderly.

Students who enter the two-year program are already experienced health care providers who want to expand their skills. They come from careers in nursing, physical therapy, emergency services, respiratory therapy, audiology and many other medical fields. Almost all have a BA degree and many hold master's and doctorate degrees.

At the conclusion of the intensive two-year curriculum, graduates take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which makes them eligible for a PA license in any state. Ninety-six percent of Red Rocks students pass the exam the first time, compared to 92 percent nationally, and average significantly higher scores.

Students may also co-register at St. Francis University or Regis University to simultaneously work on a fully-accredited master's degree. By the time they complete the program, 90 percent of graduates from the Red Rocks PA program hold a master's degree.

The Red Rocks Physician Assistant program was launched in 1999 and has graduated 202 students to date. The in-demand graduates start at salaries averaging $60,000 to $75,000.

The graduation will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16 in the Community Room of the Lakewood Campus, 13300 W. Sixth Ave., with a reception following in the Great Hall.

For more information on the program, visit the website at www.rrcc.edu/pa or contact Ruth Fry at ruth.fry@rrcc.edu or 303.914.6386.