Two Asheville students selected for healthcare leadership program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2026

Two South College Asheville Physician Assistant (PA) students have earned competitive placement in the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation (NCMSF) Academy for Future Healthcare Leaders (FHL), a prestigious six-month development program.

The students, Abigail Hettinger and Makaela Morris, will participate in the interprofessional leadership program session in Raleigh in 2026-27.

“The entire campus extends our congratulations to both Abigail and Makaela for earning this placement in the Academy for Future Healthcare Leaders,” South College Asheville President Dr. Samantha Sircey said. “The Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is flourishing at South College Asheville, as we help to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals in Western North Carolina.”

Hettinger and Morris will participate in live, synchronous workshops that bring together students from a range of healthcare professions for interactive sessions. The students will learn leadership skills, including leading teams, interdisciplinary communication and professional development.

“PAs work alongside many medical professionals and also serve as leaders,” Hettinger said. “I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing what it’s like to work on an interprofessional team, but I haven’t had much leadership experience. Participating in the FHL program will help me change that. My hope is that this program will challenge me to learn more about leadership, my leadership style and how to incorporate this in my future practice as a PA.”

“On a healthcare team, we each contribute a unique perspective and set of skills,” Morris said. “In order to provide the highest-quality care we have to put our heads together – many minds are far more powerful than one!”

The 18 participants in the previous class included just one PA student with the remainder medical and dental students. Hettinger and Makaela Morris doubled the PA recognition.

“We are incredibly proud of Abigail and Makaela for earning this recognition,” said Dr. Sircey. “Their commitment reflects the academic excellence and professionalism we aim to foster in every student. I am confident both will become exceptional healthcare practitioners and leaders.”

The Master of Health Science in PA Studies program is designed to help students build a solid foundation in patient assessment, clinical medicine and the medical, behavioral and social sciences. It includes classroom training, hands-on labs and clinical simulation assessments in a variety of patient settings.

The program can be completed in as little as 27 months, with 15 months in didactic classroom instruction followed by 12 months in supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs). Graduates become eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) exam to earn certification to practice.

The Asheville campus is located at 140 Sweeten Creek Road. Interested students may call the admissions team at 828-630-8104 or visit south.edu/Asheville.

South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and Competency-Based Education (CBE).

To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.

About South College

South College serves more than 22,000 students and is proud of its more than 25,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.

South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, education, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.