Welcome to the UAB Advanced Surgical Physician Associate Workshop!
About the ASPAW
The ASPAW is a highly selective 1-week intensive surgical training workshop that is sponsored by the UAB Physician Assistant Studies Program and funded by the UAB Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Department. The program provides comprehensive, hands-on surgical training to a maximum of 18 students that have been personally selected and nominated by their respective programs. The mission of the program is to utilize didactic instruction and an applied surgical pig lab to allow attendees to obtain the knowledge and technical skills needed to succeed in their surgical clinical rotations and prepare them for a career as a surgical PA.
** Please Note: Every year, the application window opens on September 15th and closes on the 3rd Sunday in October. Please revisit the site during this window-period and complete the online application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible? PA students in either the didactic or clinical phase of training.
- When is it? The workshop is offered annually during the 3rd week of December.
- Where is it? The workshop is held at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
- What costs are covered? All supplies, equipment, training materials, housing, and meals are provided to participants at no cost.
- What costs are not covered? Travel to the workshop and personal expenses are not covered by the ASPAW.
Testimonials
Overview of the UAB ASPAW
Advice from ASPAW Alumni
Alumni Discuss Their New Confidence
Who is Dina DeMarco, ASPAW Program Director?
Alumni Talk About Skills Learned
Alumni Describe their ASPAW Experience
UAB ASPAW Brochure Video
About the Training
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Lectures
Covers aseptic technique, principals of surgical assisting, tissue handling, documentation, wound closure techniques, surgical instrumentation/equipment, principals of laparoscopy, ultrasound basics, local anesthetics and performing minor surgeries -
Classroom Lab
Includes hands-on instruction in surgical knot tying and suturing, performing minor surgeries under local anesthetic, vessel ligations, utilization of negative pressure wound therapy, and inserting central lines under ultrasound guidance. -
Live Animal Lab
Dedicated operating room experience as a 1st surgical assistant during open and laparoscopic procedures on live, anesthetized pigs, insertion of chest tubes and surgical drains, insertion of trocars and closure of lap port sites, laparoscopic trainers and dexterity challenges.
About the UAB Physician Associate Studies Program
Founded in 1967, the UAB PA program is the second oldest Physician Associate Studies program in the country and one of very few programs with a focused surgical curriculum. The UAB PA program is located in the School of Health Professions (SHP), in the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences (CDS), and is an integral part of the UAB medical and academic community.
With our surgically focused core curriculum and surgical facilities, we provide attendees direct, hands-on experiences utilizing state-of-the art resources.
Questions? Email Dina DeMarco, MSPAS, PA-C