PA Student Society receives national award for outstanding service

The JMU Physician Assistant Student Society (PASS) was recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Student Society by the American Association of Physician Associates (AAPA), the national professional society for PAs.

The award recognizes Physician Assistant student groups with outstanding service to the profession in the areas of public education and advocacy, public service and outreach, promotion of diversity and professional involvement.

“JMU PASS has met the AAPA award goals through a consistent and strong dedication to building relationships with the Harrisonburg community and beyond,” said Shannon Jenkins, president of JMU PASS.

“We hope the recognition of our efforts serve as an inspiration to future members of our student society and other PA student organizations,” said Jordan Andre, class liaison for PASS. “This award reminds us that the work we do matters. That even as students, our voices, our hands and our hearts can create real impact.”

“I am proud of PASS for their commitment to community engagement,” said Jerry Weniger, Program Director of the Physician Assistant Program. “This year’s cohort in particular really focused on significant fundraising for local organizations. I’m also thankful for Ashley Skelly’s leadership as faculty advisor.”

Over the past year, JMU PASS has made significant contributions to the local community through fundraising. The student group received a $10,000 grant to support the Suitcase Clinic, which provides healthcare to homeless individuals and shelter residents in the local community. JMU PASS also hosted a gala and auction event to support other local organizations providing services to the unhoused, raising over $9,000 for Suitcase Clinic, Our Community Place and Open Doors. The group also raised over $5,000 for the Blue Ridge Free Clinic through a 5K race event.

Jenkins shared, “For me, the most impactful service was the fundraising we did that directly impacted healthcare in the Harrisonburg community. It was rewarding to know that we were directly influencing patients that we interact with regularly” through volunteer and clinical work.

JMU PASS has also been involved in educational outreach opportunities, such as serving as representatives for the PA Program during CHOICES events, leading local elementary school students in learning about the PA profession and healthcare fields during a field trip, attending Harrisonburg High School’s STEM Career Fair and working with Valley Scholars students to learn about health science fields on their STEM Day.

Their other service work includes participating in a Cystic Fibrosis awareness walk, advocating for the profession and healthcare access with a lobbying event at the Virginia General Assembly, hosting a Diversity Potluck for JMU students to spread awareness and appreciation for different cultures, among other projects and engagements.

“We are deeply honored to have received this national award,” said Jenkins. “Throughout this past year, we have found that JMU PASS is more than just a graduate student organization. We are a group of students brought together by a shared mission: to make healthcare more accessible, more equitable and more compassionate, one step at a time.”