PA Students Participate in Emergency Response Learning

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 1, 2026) – Physician assistant (PA) students from John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University participated for the first time in Campbell University’s annual Mock Mass Casualty Incident (MCI), joining more than 100 healthcare students, faculty, emergency responders, military personnel and community volunteers.

Held June 27 on Campbell ’s Health Sciences Campus in Buies Creek, the simulated active shooter exercise provided hands-on training in emergency preparedness, interprofessional collaboration and high-pressure clinical decision-making.

The experience exposed students to the coordinated response required during large-scale emergencies and reinforced the importance of working across healthcare disciplines to deliver timely, effective patient care.

Throughout the exercise, participants rotated through three training stations focused on field triage, emergency treatment and transport, and emergency department management. Students worked alongside emergency responders and healthcare professionals to assess and treat simulated patients, gaining practical experience in patient evaluation, trauma care, transport logistics and coordinated clinical decision-making.

Campbell PA students organized the event with support from physician assistant and nursing faculty, as well as community partners including Cape Fear Valley Health’s LifeLink Critical Care Transport, Buies Creek Fire Department, military personnel from Fort Bragg and other emergency response professionals. Community volunteers and prospective physician assistant students served as simulated patients using professional moulage to create realistic injury scenarios.

A highlight of the exercise was a LifeLink helicopter landing and demonstration, where flight crew members showcased the coordination and specialized care involved in aeromedical transport for critically injured patients.

Participation in the MCI reflects North Carolina A&T’s commitment to preparing future physician assistants through experiential learning opportunities. By engaging in realistic emergency simulations alongside healthcare professionals and partner institutions, A&T students continue to build the clinical skills, confidence, and collaborative mindset needed to serve patients and communities during both routine and crisis situations.