PA OlymPAcs

The PA OlymPAcs - an annual event bringing together PA students from around the state of Ohio in friendly competition to raise funds for worthy causes - returned on October 14, 2023, after a pandemic-induced hiatus. It was a wonderful success!

There were teams from 13 PA programs and more than 100 people in attendance to participate in a variety of games, meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate the Ohio PA community. More than $2,600 in contributions poured in for the event, with the money split between the Ken Anderson Alliance and the OAPA Legislative Fund.

Congrats to Marietta College for taking 1st place! Besides bragging rights, the Marietta students are honored with the opportunity to select the charitable cause for next year’s PA OlymPAcs.

Here are the final scores:
- Marietta: 14
- Toledo: 12
- Ohio University: 12
- Cedarville: 12
- Ohio Dominican: 10
- MSJ: 10
- Combo group (LEC, CWRU, Kettering): 8
- Dayton: 7
- Ashland: 5
- Mount Union: 1
- Findlay: 1

Thank you to all who participated in or supported the PA OlymPAcs, and to the planners, Student Affairs Committee Chair (and Region 1 Director) Tyler Fitzgerald, PA-C, Student Representative to the OAPA Board Daniel Bixel, PA-S, and Student Representative-Elect Romal Patel, PA-S, and their team for their hard work.

Stay tuned for news about planning for the 2024 PA OlymPAcs!

 

Enjoy these photos of the 2023 PA OlymPAcs!

 

2023 PAO Picture A

2023 PAO Pic 1

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2023 PAO Picture B

2023 PAO Picture C

2023 PAO Picture D

History of the Games

The PA OlymPAcs is a track and field style day that celebrates the fundraising efforts that have been organized by Student Members of OAPA and their PA supporters. Students from PA programs in Ohio compete to win the title and the chance to choose the charity for the following year. Two PA students from each program are chosen to be on the planning committee led by the Student Affairs Committee Chair, Student Representative, and Student Representative-Elect from OAPA. State Chapter Student Representatives (SCSRs) from every school in the state have an opportunity to participate in planning the event. The energy and excitement that fills the air that day is overwhelming and it is an opportunity for programs to connect and PAs to greet students.

2016 was the first Ohio PA OlymPAcs and it was quite a chilly event - it snowed! The event took place in April at Baldwin Wallace University with a total of six programs involved and more than 150 attendees. The day was a success; raising more than $5,000 for the Alzheimer's Association. The University of Findlay won and received the privilege of choosing the next charity. This first event set the stage for the subsequent years and it only continued to grow!

The following year, the number of programs, attendees, and fundraising grew exponentially! In 2017, ten programs and more than 300 students and PAs came to support and participate in the event on July 8th. Fundraising efforts were for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the students raised more than $10,000. The winner was the University of Dayton.

The 3rd annual PA OlymPAcs took place July 7th, 2018, at the University of Mount Union. PA students from across the state of Ohio helped raise more than $12,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The University of Mount Union won the event. The games were a success with around 400 students, PA-Cs, faculty, and family members in attendance.
 
In 2023, after several years of virtual games due to the COVID pandemic, steps were taken to host this event in person. This was a large undertaking that raised funds for the Ken Anderson Alliance and OAPA Legislative Fund. Ohio Dominican University hosted the event, a summary of which can be found above.

PA students continue to make this a fun-filled event to ultimately raise money for local charities and bring the PA community together. We look forward to the 2024 PA OlymPAcs and beyond!

Check out the fun t-shirt designs and colors from the 2023 event!
 
West - includes University of Toledo, University of Findlay, Mercy, University of Dayton, Kettering College, Mount Saint Joseph 
 
North - includes Baldwin Wallace, Case Western, Lake Erie College, Ashland University, Mount Union
 
Central/SE - includes Ohio Dominican, Ohio University, Marietta, Cedarville, and PA-Cs
 
 
For more information about the PA OlymPAcs, contact Tyler Fitzgerald, Student Affairs Committee Chair at tfitzgerald1922@gmail.com, Daniel Bixel, OAPA Student Representative at danbixel@gmail.com, and Romal Patel, OAPA Student Representative-Elect, at rpatel@lec.edu.
 

Students