Wichita State University physician assistant student Lindsey Heft has been awarded a prestigious PA Foundation student scholarship. Heft is one of two students chosen nationally to receive the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Rural Health Caucus Scholarships, which is awarded to students from rural areas who are committed to serving a rural community.

Heft, a first-year PA student, is from Greensburg, Kansas. She is expected to graduate from the PA program in July 2017.

Prior to joining the PA program at WSU, Heft obtained an undergraduate degree in athletic training from the University of Kansas in 2013. As an undergraduate, she served as president of the Athletic Training Club and received numerous awards and scholarships for her academic and leadership activities. 

PA Foundation scholarships recognize exceptional PA students who demonstrate a passion for the PA profession and community service. Recipients were selected based on their understanding of the PA role, what they expect to accomplish as a PA and relevant volunteer/community service activities.

“Today’s PA students are the future of the PA profession,” said Rick Rohrs, PA-C, president of the PA Foundation Board of Trustees. “This year’s deserving scholarship recipients have demonstrated a true commitment to expanding their educational experiences, achieving their academic and professional goals, and serving others.”

The scholarships will be presented on Saturday, May 14, at the Assembly of Representatives meeting held in conjunction with AAPA Conference 2016 in San Antonio. The recipients will also be recognized at the PA Foundation Donor Recognition Breakfast held during the conference on Monday, May 16. 

To learn more about the PA Foundation student scholarship program, visit the PA Foundation website. 

The PA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of PAs, the national organization representing a profession of approximately 108,500 certified PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and the uniformed services. Since 1977, the PA Foundation has worked to advance healthcare through the profession, to promote better health, and to encourage PAs and PA students to positively impact the lives of those in the communities they serve. The mission of the PA Foundation is to empower PA engagement in philanthropic programs that improve health. Visit www.pa-foundation.org to learn more.