An innovative fellowship program for physician assistants at Maryland-based urgent care company Righttime Medical Care is continuing to grow as the demand for health care providers rises across the country. The fellowship is available to physician assistant students at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in Arnold, Md., which is a top-ranked school in the nation for that course of study.
Aaron Galvin, PA-C, is the 12-week fellowship's newest graduate, and has since transitioned to a career with Righttime after completing his studies at AACC. Galvin recently returned to his alma mater, along with Righttime CEO Robert G. Graw, Jr., MD, and Director of Advanced Clinical Practice Jon Gonella, PA-C, to speak with the nearly 60 current AACC students about his experiences with Righttime's fellowship program.
Gonella said physician assistant candidates are required to do several clinical rotations before graduating, and those who have excelled at emergency medicine are good contenders for Righttime's fellowship.
"The urgent care track is ideal for those with quick decision-making skills, can remain calm while managing multiple patients, and enjoy a fast-paced setting," said Gonella. "Our fellowship offers a heuristic learning environment; we give resources and mentoring but there's a good deal of self-teaching."
According to Gonella, physician assistants usually receive just a short amount of urgent care training during their rotations, with more emphasis on other specialties. To address this, Dr. Graw launched Righttime's program in 2016. Galvin is its third graduate, all of whom continue to work at Righttime.
"We are so grateful to the Righttime team for providing clinical education throughout the year and a fellowship opportunity for our graduates," said Mary Jo Bondy, DHEd, MHS, PA-C, director of AACC's physician assistant program. "We are very proud of Aaron Galvin and his successful completion of the fellowship."
The need for physician assistants, as well as public interest in urgent care, is strong. A 2014 study by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that physician assistant employment is projected to grow 30 percent through 2024, twice the projected rate of physicians. Additionally, urgent care is recognized as viable, affordable care separate from primary and emergency care, with a projected expansion rate of 5.8 percent through 2018, according to Becker's ASC Review.
About Righttime Medical Care
Righttime Medical Care simplifies access to trustworthy medical care at its 15 urgent care locations in Maryland. Caring for patients of all ages for more than 25 years, Righttime holds the Certified Urgent Care designation, which distinguishes it as among the top urgent care centers nationwide. Righttime is open 365 days a year and welcomes walk-in patients anytime, while also offering same-day appointments online or via its Call Center. Convenient services include x-rays, laboratory testing, patient portal, and electronic health records which are shared with patients' physicians, specialists and collaborating medical institutions. For more information, visit myRighttime.com.
