Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center continues to enhance military medical readiness with the development of a Surgical and Critical Care Physician Assistant (PA) Residency program.

The rigorous 12-month certificate program is designed to prepare active-duty Air Force PAs for the demanding and unpredictable environments faced during deployments and treating combat injuries. The inaugural class, consisting of three students, recently began their training and are slated to graduate in June 2027.

“I chose to pursue this program to be more involved with care that directly saves lives,” said resident student Capt. Ralph Pangilinan. “By the time I graduate, I am confident I will be ready to deliver care in any environment.”

While Baylor University offers an 18-month, tri-service Surgical and Critical Care PA Doctoral program at Brooke Army Medical Center, its clinical training is paired with heavy academic requirements, including a doctoral defense, a manuscript, and extensive research. While not granting an advanced degree upon completion, MOMMC’s program removes the research requirements and focuses largely on direct clinical exposures.

The curriculum provides up to 80 hours per week of intensive, hands-on training to expand the surgical and critical care knowledge for these former family health PAs. By mastering advanced procedural skills, the graduates will be prepared to care for military personnel operating in austere environments without immediate access to major medical facilities.

“I believe this training will allow me to make a greater impact on patient care in both hospital and deployed settings while helping meet the Air Force’s growing need for surgical PAs,” said resident student Capt. Jordyn Peacock.

Throughout the program, the PA Residents will work alongside Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV General Surgery Residents, gaining vital experience through monthly rotations. Rotations include trauma resuscitation and surgery, trauma and surgical intensive care units, emergency and elective general surgery, and specialized burn care.

MOMMC is uniquely and strategically positioned to host the fellowship program. As the only Air Force medical facility to be verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), MOMMC is fully integrated into the Clark County emergency medical services (EMS) system. Operationally, this provides a higher volume of trauma and critical care cases than Air Force medics would typically see in an environment limited to service members, veterans, and their families.

To further broaden their clinical scope, fellows will also leverage the Las Vegas civilian medical network, rotating through University Medical Center (UMC) in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada’s only Level I trauma center. This civilian-military partnership exposes students to an even higher volume of complex trauma cases.

For over 20 years, both military and civilian medical resources in the Las Vegas area have combined to support the readiness efforts of Air Force medics by integrating military medics into civilian settings.

"It is incredibly valuable to have a partnership with UMC," said Maj. Elissa Flynn, Program Director. "Our program truly wouldn't be possible without the opportunities provided by UMC. It’s awesome to be a part of their team."

Pangilinan agrees, “The seamless integration between Nellis and UMC has made this an incredibly valuable experience from day one.”

As the Defense Health Agency continues to prioritize medical readiness, MOMMC’s medical education programs stand out as a model training platform. By the time the first three students complete their certificates in 2027, they will be fully equipped to save lives, whether stationed at home or abroad.