In a state grappling with an aging workforce, careers in health care are defying the trend.

The demand for physician assistants in Connecticut is expected to grow 27% by the year 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The state has five PA programs, which produce approximately 250 graduates annually and maintain about 90 PAs per capita. It's also a younger profession. The average age of a PA in the state is 37.

Nicholas Patino is the incoming president of the Connecticut Academy of PAs.

“There’s a provider shortage in healthcare, and PAs are doing a lot of the work to grow and fill in the gaps, get people the care they need," he said. "Maybe not in a place like Stamford or New Haven, but in the rural corners of Connecticut or rural parts of the country, especially, PAs are

See Full Page