Drury receives $25K grant for physician assistant program

A $25,000 grant from the Arvest Foundation will help Drury University purchase clinical simulation and diagnostic equipment for its physician assistant program.

The PA program was established in 2023 and a second cohort will graduate in November.

“We are grateful to the Arvest Foundation for investing in the next generation of healthcare providers,” said Ashley VanZant, director of the PA program, in a news release. “This grant will allow us to enhance simulation-based training for our physician assistant students, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to provide exceptional patient care.”

Currently, 117 students are enrolled in the 27-month program, split between didactic curriculum and clinical rotations, according to the release.

The private foundation operates in communities served by Arvest Bank. It focuses heavily on education and economic development, the release said.

Shane Cowger, president for Arvest Bank in Springfield, said he was thankful for the contribution to Drury’s medical school program.

“This investment in advanced training equipment directly supports the development of the next generation of healthcare professionals right here in the Ozarks,” Cowger said in the release. “By empowering our future workforce with the tools they need to succeed, the foundation is helping build a stronger, more sustainable future for our region. We are honored to help champion these types of impactful, forward-thinking initiatives that strengthen our community.”