The PA profession began in 1965 at Duke University. Who founded it?

The PA profession began in 1965 at Duke University. Who founded it?

• A. Eugene Stead (MD)
• B. Anwar Sadat
• C. Michael DeBakey
• D. William Osler

Answer: (A)

The creation of a new clinician role to extend medical care under physician supervision was sparked by Dr. Eugene Stead at Duke University. In 1965, Stead led the first program that trained non-physician clinicians—specifically four ex-military corpsmen—into a new role that would become the physician assistant profession. This initiative established both the concept and the name, setting the pattern for PA education nationwide and showing how careful, structured training can expand access to medical care without requiring a full physician path. The other names listed are notable in medicine and history, but they did not found the PA profession.

The creation of a new clinician role to extend medical care under physician supervision was sparked by Dr. Eugene Stead at Duke University. In 1965, Stead led the first program that trained non-physician clinicians—specifically four ex-military corpsmen—into a new role that would become the physician assistant profession. This initiative established both the concept and the name, setting the pattern for PA education nationwide and showing how careful, structured training can expand access to medical care without requiring a full physician path. The other names listed are notable in medicine and history, but they did not found the PA profession.