Montefiore marked the 40th anniversary of its Surgical Physician Assistant (PA) residency program, the nation's first such program, with a ceremony in the Cherkasky Auditorium at the Moses Campus on October 31.

PAs are highly trained healthcare providers who work alongside physicians. Traditionally, they practiced general medicine. Montefiore was the first institution in the country to conceptualize and implement a Surgical PA residency program, having been inspired by the military model of medics treating wounded soldiers under physicians' guidance.

In 1971, Montefiore began accepting PAs into the surgical program after they had completed their undergraduate studies. These PAs could later become part of the surgical staff. At this year's ceremony, 10 PAs of the Class of 2011 graduated and members of the 2012 Class were announced. To date, Montefiore has trained over 375 surgical PAs who are now practicing around the country. Montefiore's ongoing investment in the advancement of PAs illustrates its commitment to promoting the highest standards of clinical expertise so vital to exceptional surgical care.

"Surgical residency changes you," said Robert Sammartano, RPA-C, Program Director PA Residency in Surgery, Senior Surgical PA Pediatric Surgery and President of the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants. "It makes you courageous, drives you to be a leader. Everyone in the industry knows that Montefiore set the standard in the early 70s and we continue with a reputation of excellence."

"Many of the PAs who graduate from our program have gone on to become leaders in their field," said Arnold Berlin, MD, Medical Director, PA Residency in Surgery at Montefiore and Associate Professor of Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "We congratulate this year's graduates and wish the members of the 2012 Surgical PA class success."

Clara E. Vanderbilt, one of the very first PAs to participate in program, attended the ceremony. She was the director of Montefiore's Physician Assistant Surgical Residency program from 1978 to 2001, and the founding president of the New York State Society of Physician Assistants.

"Being a Surgical PA was a challenging role and one I took great pride in," said Ms. Vanderbilt, who received the "PA of the Century" award from Montefiore in 2000. "Four decades ago Montefiore established a tradition that became the inspiration for over 40 residencies in surgery and other medical specialties around the country. I am honored and proud to have been one of the founding students."