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Out of a competitive pool of national applicants, Sarah Pasquine (M.S.P.A., ’22) has been selected to participate in the (PAEA) 2021-2022 Student Health Policy Fellowship.

The is designed to enhance students’ understanding of the political process and health policy with the ultimate goal of inspiring and preparing fellows for lifelong grassroots advocacy — both in Washington, D.C., and at home — that promotes the physician assistant (PA) profession as an integral part of the health care system.

"I am incredibly honored to represent 51С�Ƴ�and the Physician Assistant program as a PAEA Health Policy fellow,” Pasquine said. “My goal through this process is to bring effective policy knowledge and initiatives back to the state of Maine and ultimately improve the quality of our health care system for all Maine residents."

According to the PAEA — the only national organization representing PA educational programs — fellows will participate in a three-day intensive virtual workshop, during which they will learn about advocacy and policymaking processes, interact with fellow leaders, and meet with their representatives and staff on Capitol Hill. They then will complete advocacy projects under the guidance of program faculty mentors.

By the end of the fellowship, participants will have developed skills the key areas of advocacy, leadership, and physician assistants and the health care environment.

Pasquine enrolled in UNE’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant program, the only such program in Maine, after suffering two strokes in her academic career, which led her to a greater appreciation for the field of medicine. When she graduates this coming spring, Pasquine wants to help fill the void of health care providers in rural and medically underserved areas.

“Rural health care is truly unique and something I think all providers should experience,” she said. “Everyone steps in to help their neighbor, and that’s really inspiring.”