Strengthened and nourished by the vision and courage of the congregations of religious women who pioneered Catholic health care in the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers was formed through the inspiration and team work of men and women who were willing to be risk-takers and who, in uncertain times, forged the first multi-hospital system in New York State.

Our ministry to the sick involves caring for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each patient. Because we believe that health care is a basic human right, our ministry to the local community involves working to shape public policy to ensure that the root causes of ill health and suffering are addressed and eradicated.
We pledge to continue developing programs that reach those most in need - the poor, the alienated, the aged - all those who struggle for full dignity within our society.

We commit ourselves to be responsible stewards of our resources. We strive to promote a supportive environment where each person, regardless of position, is viewed as important to the proper functioning of the Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers. We seek to create a work environment that embodies the social teachings of the Church. Thus, each person is respected, every idea is appreciated, and each one's labor is valued.

Mission Statement of the Program

The Physician Assistant Education Program at SVCMC, in keeping with the mission of our sponsoring institution, is designed to provide the academic and clinical foundations for the Primary Care Physician Assistants. Our mission is to train Physician Assistants who will provide high quality, cost-effective, compassionate and accessible care to underserved patients in urban communities.
 
The Program seeks to:

• Sensitize students to the diversity of health care needs and the impact of socioeconomic factors on health care. We believe that tolerance, understanding, and cultural sensitivity are vital attributes needed by health care professionals practicing in a vibrant and highly diverse urban environment.
• Encourage and motivate our students to return to their communities and improve the access to quality health care.
• Foster the development of the interpersonal skills, attitudes and behavior that are needed to function competently, confidently, and compassionately as health care professionals
• Develop an understanding of the role of the Physician Assistant within the health care team, the provision of health care services, health promotion and disease prevention.
• Integrate the basic sciences, social sciences, medical education and clinical training to provide a comprehensive introduction to the practice of medicine.
• Develop competencies in written and oral communication skills. We believe that clinicians must be able to communicate clearly with their peers and with their patients.
• Develop learning strategies for life-long learning.
• Encourage collaboration in learning and working.
• Encourage the students to empower their patients and advocate for their needs.
• Serve as role models for our students. The interactions of the faculty and students influence the direction and growth of our students. Most of our faculty is practicing in underserved areas of the city.
  

Program Goals:

The Program is designed to provide students with the necessary academic, clinical, professional and interpersonal skills to allow them as newly graduated physician assistants to function competently, confidently, compassionately, and efficiently.

Through a critical, continuous and dynamic self-assessment, the program will identify and implement changes necessary to maintain the highest possible standards as outlined in the "Standards and Guidelines for an Accredited Program for the Physician Assistant." (2001)

The Program seeks to sensitize students to the diversity of the patient population and their health care needs. The impact of socioeconomic factors on health care will be continual focus, with a hope of promoting non-discrimination and inspiring graduates to work in communities that have been traditionally underserved
It is a goal of the Program to provide the student with the desire and strategies to pursue learning as a lifelong process and to maintain the highest level of knowledge and commitment.