Men's Basketball | 2/23/2009 6:01:35 PM

Zan Messer came to Methodist to balance basketball and biology with hopes of entering the Physician Assistant (PA) program in four years. Austin "A.B." Lehmann came to Methodist not even knowing what a PA was. Both would become starting point guards for Methodist basketball, anticipating graduation and entrance into the PA Program.

Methodist admitted its first class to the Bachelor of Science Physician Assistant Program in May of 1996 and transitioned into a master's level program in 2001. Physician assistants are “health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision.”[1] Methodist has been training physician assistants for more than ten years with hopes of providing qualified professionals to the health care industry. Each year, hundreds of students apply to the Methodist program with just 34 selected to enroll. Upon completion of the 27-month program, students are conferred a Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) degree.

Methodist women's basketball coach, DeeDee Jarman, was an integral part of Zan Messer's decision to come to Methodist in the fall of 2005. “I was initially interested in Methodist because of its PA Program and women's basketball program, but it was Coach Jarman's persistence and enthusiasm that helped confirm my decision,” Messer said.

During Messer's recruiting trip, Jarman laid out all of the stops, including visits with PA Program director, Ron Foster, and director of PA Admissions, Jennifer Mish. In NCAA Division III athletics, there are no athletic scholarships. Jarman knew she could not offer Messer athletic money, but hoped she could help Messer find the right mix of academics and athletics. “When we were recruiting Zan, we knew it would be a tough balance between the two, but through the entire process, we assured her of our commitment to her academic needs,” Jarman said.

Nearly four years later, Messer is facing the end of her collegiate basketball career, but knows her admittance into the PA Program stems from her hard work in the classroom. “Methodist gave me the opportunity to pursue both of my passions and I am excited to continue my education in the PA Program next fall,” Messer added.

A.B. Lehmann grew up in Fayetteville, but spent time at Virginia Commonwealth University before transferring to Methodist. Lehmann joined the men's basketball team for the 2006-07 season and has started in every game since his arrival. Unfamiliar with the PA profession, Lehmann heard classmates discussing the PA Program at Methodist and set out to do his own research. “The Methodist University PA Program is a great program in a great location with quality professors,” Lehmann said. “It has strong ties to the Fayetteville health care community and I knew it was something I could do.”

Not only has Lehmann excelled on the court, but he has shined in the classroom. He was most recently recognized by ESPN the Magazine, where he was named to the Academic All-District Men's Basketball Team for outstanding work in both arenas. Lehmann's head coach, David Smith, has great admiration for Lehmann's ability to transition. “He has developed in his role of point guard over the last three years and I am confident he will do the same in his role within the PA Program and beyond,” Smith said.

Both Messer and Lehmann had an advantage in the PA application process since they attended Methodist University for their undergraduate degree. Not only can the MU PA Program trust that their background in biology is solid, but Methodist students interested in the PA Program also have an opportunity to get to know their professors before they start the application process. Messer and Lehmann essentially had years of informal interviews before they even received the call for the official meeting with the PA Program. Dr. Lori Brookman, dean of the School of Science and Human Development as well as a professor of biology, along with Dr. Margaret Folsom, Biology Department chair and professor, have had the opportunity to teach Messer and Lehmann over the last few years prior to their application to the PA Program. “Both of these students epitomize the term 'team player' however, they do so in very different ways,” Brookman and Folsom said.

“Both students think not just about themselves, but about their classmates. This will serve them well in the PA Program as they are already accustomed to the idea of winning as a group, competing as a group, and working as a group,” they added.

After basketball ends, Messer and Lehmann will wrap up their undergraduate degrees and begin preparation for the demands of the PA Program. Many believe their experience as student-athletes will help them succeed. “Being a student-athlete at the collegiate level teaches one determination, leadership, passion for work and team, and the understanding of being a team player – all qualities that are imperative to being a valued physician assistant,” said Jennifer Mish, director of PA Admissions.

“Zan and Austin are a direct result of the mission of Methodist University; both have been developed to 'contribute substantially and creatively to their profession' and to their community,” Mish added. The Methodist PA Program is a nationally sought after program with a highly competitive application and interview process.

Messer and Lehmann will rely not just on their basketball abilities, but on their experience leading a team from the point guard position. In the medical field, “the physician assistant is a representative of the physician, treating the patient in the style and manner developed and directed by the supervising physician.” [2] Messer believes she is already familiar with the necessary team dynamic from her position on the basketball team. “I work under Coach Jarman, but I still have responsibilities to run the offense on the court and help the team accomplish the goals set forth by her,” Messer said.

“The skill and intelligence I have developed as a point guard to think on the court and deal with people will be invaluable as a physician assistant,” Lehmann added.

The Methodist University PA Program will receive two student-athletes who have already given so much for their institution. “The Admissions Selection Committee has seen how [Lehmann and Messer's] success in the classroom and on the basketball court has helped enhance the character they have displayed thus far,” Mish said. “We are eager to see their continued contributions to our program and look forward to watching them grow as professionals.”

Messer and Lehmann are retiring as point guards, but their upcoming training to become physician assistants is merely a continuation of their previous life experience. Coaches, professors, family, and friends all predict nothing but success for the point guards turned future physician assistants.