Northwestern receives $120,000 grant from the Carver Trust

When Northwestern’s new PA program begins in May, students will have access to life-size virtual cadavers thanks to a $120,000 grant from Iowa’s Carver Trust.

Northwestern College has received $120,000 from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust for laboratory equipment that will be used by students in the college’s new physician assistant studies and athletic training master’s degree programs.

The funds will be used to purchase two virtual cadaver tables as well as supplies for the human cadaver lab. “There is growing evidence that using virtual cadavers in addition to traditional human cadavers results in improved student outcomes,” says Dr. Christina Hanson, director of the physician assistant program.

The six-foot virtual cadaver tables will provide students with a life-sized interactive display that can toggle between detailed anatomical drawings, captioned illustrations, and actual radiologic images (CT and MRI). Students will be able to conduct repeat virtual dissections and simulations before performing traditional dissections in the gross anatomy lab.

Hanson says, “Ultimately, our goal is to create an outstanding learning environment for our PA and AT students so they can provide standout medical care to patients in the communities they serve.”

“We’re pleased that a respected Iowa institution like the Carver Trust has signaled its support for our graduate-level health sciences programs with an investment of this size,” says Jay Wielenga, Northwestern’s vice president for advancement.

The Carver Trust was established by Iowan Roy J. Carver, an engineer and entrepreneurial industrialist, to support biomedical and scientific research, scholarships, and programs addressing the educational and recreational needs of youth.

Northwestern’s newest graduate programs are set to begin when the summer term starts in May. The athletic training program is still accepting applications for May 2020. The physician assistant studies program is full for this year, but applications for the next cohort, which starts in May 2021, will open April 30. 

Northwestern's master's degree program in physician assistant studies gives students practice-based training to prepare them to provide exceptional, compassionate health care in a variety of settings. The first cohort begins May 2020.

Northwestern College’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) is a faith-based six-semester program. The first four terms will focus on practical skills-based learning and clinical experiences at NWC and in the surrounding community. The final two terms of advanced clinical experiences and online coursework enable students to complete their clinical rotations in diverse settings around the country. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the Board of Certification exam to become certified athletic trainers.