West Virginia Wesleyan College announces the launch of its new Physician Assistant (PA) Program, marking a significant stride in our ongoing commitment to healthcare education and workforce development, while filling a critical gap in rural healthcare delivery.
The College has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Pending successful achievement of this status at the January 2028 ARC-PA meeting, West Virginia Wesleyan College anticipates welcoming its inaugural PA class in May 2028 to Battlers Knob in Philippi.
President Dr. James Moore said, “West Virginia Wesleyan College is excited and proud to make this announcement. As the region’s leader in care-centered healthcare education, we believe that it’s central to our mission to launch programs that will produce graduates who will improve the healthcare outcomes of West Virginians and Appalachians. We are grateful to our healthcare partners for their guidance and partnership in this exciting new program.”
There are currently hundreds of job openings for PAs in West Virginia, demonstrating the need for more graduates.
Entrance into Physician Assistant schools is highly competitive, and roughly one-fourth of applicants are accepted. There are five PA programs in the Mountain State, but none are located geographically between Charleston and Morgantown.
Provost Dr. Lynn M. Linder said, “The physician assistant profession is essential to meeting the growing healthcare needs of West Virginia and the greater Appalachian region. By launching this program, we are preparing skilled, compassionate providers who will expand access to care, strengthen healthcare systems, and build healthier communities. This is not only an investment in our students, but a legacy that will shape lives and reaffirm West Virginia Wesleyan College’s leadership in healthcare education and workforce development.”
The PA Program at Wesleyan is designed to prepare compassionate, highly-skilled medical professionals through a blend of rigorous classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training.
Deanna Leach, DMSc, PA-C, has been hired as the program’s first director, bringing a clinical background as a physician assistant and serving as associate director of the previous program at the former Alderson Broaddus University. Most recently, Dr. Leach has served as assistant director of the PA program at West Liberty University.
On Sept. 10 at 3 p.m., WVWC will host an event at Battlers Knob in Philippi. The public is invited to attend to formally celebrate the announcement and partnerships.
Since the closure of Alderson Broaddus University, WVWC has partnered with Battlers Knob to plan and execute in-person programs and services. The first, an LPN to BSN Pathway, launched this fall and is at 100% capacity with a waiting list. Beginning in Spring 2026, the hybrid program will see students return to Battlers Knob for clinicals.
Glen E. Combs, Ed.D. (HC), PA, is president of the Hu C. Myers Association and an alum of the ABU PA Program.
Combs added, “The establishment of a new program to educate future PAs is a monumental step forward for the health and well-being of our communities. It signifies a strong commitment by West Virginia Wesleyan to educate skilled medical practitioners, particularly in our state’s rural and underserved regions. By educating a new generation of compassionate and competent PAs, we are not only enriching our local workforce but also ensuring that more West Virginians have access to the quality medical care that they deserve. This new PA program will be a beacon of opportunity, fostering educational excellence and building a healthier future for all.”
Adding the Physician Assistant Program builds on West Virginia Wesleyan College’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of the greater Appalachian region through its BSN, Nursing Practitioner and Doctorate of Nursing Practice degrees and the more recent establishment of the Master of Arts in Counseling and Addiction Certificate.
