The Colorado Health Foundation Awards RRCC’s Physician Assistant Program $425,000
Expanding the Representation of Physician Assistants of Color in Primary Care

July 19, 2024 (Arvada, CO) — Today, Dr. Landon Pirius, President of Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), announces $425,000 in funding over three years from The Colorado Health Foundation. This funding will be used to increase the number of Physician Assistants of Color serving our highest-need communities.

“The direct impact of this funding means an additional 15,184 patient visits per year in our most underserved communities,” shared Dr. Pirius. “This opportunity to support the diversity of our students in securing the training and credentials to achieve a brighter future for they and their families, to better serve the diversity of our community, and at the same time directly address pervasive workforce shortages in healthcare, is exactly what makes RRCC the partner of choice for our community.” 

Physician Assistants (PAs) play a crucial role in providing healthcare in underserved and rural areas. They are more likely to practice in primary care specialties, have a wider scope of practice, and serve patients who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid or Medicare. Historically, PAs have been more likely than physicians to provide care for underserved populations and to work in rural settings. PAs often care for patients with chronic conditions, provide cost-effective services, and enhance access to care. However, many Coloradans, particularly those of color, face barriers to accessing quality primary care, including discrimination in healthcare services, a lack of providers who resemble them, and cost-related challenges. 

Despite strong job growth, there remains a high demand for skilled PAs, particularly in underserved and rural communities. 

“CCCS trains more than half the nurses and more than 90% of the first responders in Colorado, and 40% of our learners are students of color,” said Joe Garcia, Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). “By harnessing the power and connectivity of our 13 colleges, there is potential to scale and replicate this model to increase the number and diversity of healthcare providers statewide.” 

“Red Rocks Community College’s Physician Assistant Program is the only master’s degree-granting community college program in the United States,” said Jennifer Kroetch, Dean of the PA Program. “One of only four programs in Colorado preparing physician assistants, and the only program dedicated to preparing PAs for primary care practice, making our program the ideal investment to increase the number and diversity of PAs serving in our high need and rural communities.”

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About Red Rocks Community College

Since 1969, Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) has supported students in meeting ambitious career and education goals in an exciting, collaborative environment with multiple pathways to success. We deliver career enhancing courses, certificate programs, and degrees that invest in each student’s personal and professional development. Learn more at https://www.rrcc.edu.

About RRCC Physician Assistant Program

The mission of the RRCC PA Program is to prepare physician assistants to serve all communities by practicing professional, empathetic, inclusive, team-based medicine with a focus on primary care and an emphasis on excellence.

About The Colorado Health Foundation 

The Colorado Health Foundation is bringing health in reach for all Coloradans by engaging closely with communities across the state through investing, policy advocacy, learning and capacity building.