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Bob Philpot Receives American Academy of Physician Assistants Honor


Bob Philpot

Bob Philpot’s extraordinary service as the leader of Mississippi College’s Physician Assistant Program is bringing him national honors.

Recently, the American Academy of Physician Assistants recognized Dr. Philpot as one of its newest Distinguished Fellows for 2015.

Enhancing the PA profession in many ways, including serving patients through clinical practice, Philpot was the architect of the university’s program beginning in May 2011 with 29 students. Enrollment has climbed to more than 90 graduate students on the Clinton campus.

MC’s Physician Assistant Program trains professionals to work under the supervision of physicians. It is the only program of its type in the Magnolia State and works closely with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, federal clinics and other medical facilities in the region.

Mississippi College Physician Assistant Medical Director Dr. Rod Cutrer applauds Philpot’s selection. He joins nearly 800 others in the PA profession named distinguished fellows over the years.

“Bob has been the backbone of the PA program at Mississippi College for the past five years,” Cutrer said. “He has done this by presenting a clear vision for our students and our faculty as to the path he would like to see PA education take in Mississippi.”

Philpot has received quite a bit of help along the way to boost MC’s nationally accredited program.

“Bob also has surrounded himself with a wonderful, hardworking and kind faculty and staff who pour everything they have into our students on a daily basis,” Cuter added. “It has been an honor to work alongside Bob these past five years. He deserves all the honors that are to come his way.”

A Belhaven University graduate, Dr. Philpot has practiced clinically in underserved areas during his career as a National Health Service Corp scholar. He’s served in leadership positions at institutional, regional and national levels. Philpot has been associated with PA education programs for 17 years.

Dr. Philpot is not the first Mississippian to make the list of Distinguished Fellows. Others include Marc Finch of Hattiesburg and Steve Martin, associate director of the PA program at Mississippi College’s Baptist Healthplex.

“I certainly expect the list of Distinguished Fellows from Mississippi to grow as we continue to graduate more outstanding clinicians,” Philpot said.

There are fewer than 800 Distinguished Fellows out of 92,000 practicing PAs in the nation. “It is a very good thing to have two of them on our faculty team,” Philpot said. “I personally think we have others on the faculty who also deserve the same recognition.”

Distinguished Fellows are selected nationwide for a variety of achievements, including research, community service, outreach to patients, and contributions to the PA profession.