Gardner-Webb PA Studies Celebrates 100% Pass Rate on Certifying Exam

2024 Graduates Equipped to Provide Patient-Centered Care

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Faculty and staff in Gardner-Webb University’s Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies strive to inspire and prepare knowledgeable and compassionate professionals who excel as PAs. Students are equipped with a strong foundation in the basic medical, clinical and psychosocial sciences. To become licensed, graduates must first take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). This year, the GWU Class of 2024 achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the exam, proving their clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and other medical skills.

Ashley Kernicky, associate professor and director of PA studies, voiced her congratulations to the graduates and noted her colleagues’ excitement, as well. “Achieving a 100% pass rate on the PANCE is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the faculty and staff and the exceptional training provided by our program,” Kernicky stated. “It reflects not only the quality of our curriculum and faculty but also the unwavering commitment of our students to excel and uphold the highest standards of medical excellence. We are immensely proud of this milestone and the bright future it represents for our graduates and the communities they will serve.”

Kernicky further noted that the PA curriculum is structured to offer frequent assessments of students’ knowledge and skills, using various online exam platforms that help students get comfortable with the PANCE format. “We partner with nationally recognized PANCE prep and clinical review courses that are fully offered to our students,” she explained. “Additionally, students take standardized exams throughout the clinical year in preparation for the PANCE. Above all, our dedicated faculty and staff support the growth and development of our well-rounded PA trainees, not just for the PANCE but also for entry into clinical practice in any specialty.”

Nathaniel McVey, a 2024 PA graduate, starts work in October at a cancer center in Billings, Mont. His goal in becoming a PA was to serve others and show them the love of Christ, especially those who may be going through difficult times. McVey noted that preparation for the PANCE began on day one of the program. “From the rigorous didactic year to the clinical year that demanded our flexibility and commitment to practicing what we had learned, everything prepared us for the PANCE,” McVey affirmed. “Additionally, the program provided us with great resources to expose us to PANCE-style questions.”

McVey added that the faculty gave him support to persevere. “I could reach out to multiple professors, and I knew that I would be listened to and prayed for,” he shared. “I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent at the school and look forward to seeing how the program grows more over the years.”

Lauren Klepper, also a 2024 PA graduate, works in emergency medicine at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia and Mt. Holly, N.C. She described the PANCE as the hardest exam she’s ever taken. “That being said, I felt extremely prepared thanks to the GWU PA program,” she asserted. “Every lecture, exam, assignment, and clinical rotation experience prepared me for the PANCE. Overall, I believe that the professors helped prepare me the most. During my time in the program, I was constantly encouraged, challenged, and motivated by all of the professors. They invested their time and energy into us and were dedicated to helping us grow both personally and professionally. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to help shape me into the PA that I am today.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.