Back to News 
MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Feb. 8, 2021)—Milligan University’s third class of physician assistant students received their white coats on Saturday, Feb. 6, in Seeger Memorial Chapel.
The ceremony served as a major milestone for Milligan’s 26 physician assistant students as each student walked across the stage to receive their white coat in front of a limited audience of family and friends.
“The white coat signifies the great responsibility these professionals have to provide clinical expertise and empathy for patients,” said Andrew Hull, director of Milligan’s PA program.
Dr. Justin Digby, a general surgeon with Ballad Health and a preceptor for Milligan’s PA program since its inception, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
Digby also was recognized as “Preceptor of the Year” by the class of 2020, an honor given by students who have just completed their clinical year.
Over his nearly 20-year career, Digby has received numerous awards, including the Servant’s Heart Award in 2010, Ballad Health’s most prestigious award, given to a team member who goes above and beyond to help others.
“Dr. Digby models servant-leadership in all he does, which is foundational to Milligan’s mission,” said Hull. “He invests in our students and allows them ample time to gain the clinical experience necessary for their future success.”
Milligan’s physician assistant program launched in January 2018 and is a 28-month program that consists of 108 hours.
Learn more about Milligan’s PA program at www.milligan.edu/PA.
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Milligan University Physician Assistant Program. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.