Final answer:
The first PA graduating class was in 1967 at Duke University, led by Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr. This pioneering group of PAs was trained to provide medical care under physician supervision and help address the shortage of doctors in rural areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first Physician Assistant (PA) graduating class was in 1967 at Duke University in North Carolina, under the direction of Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr. Dr. Stead, recognizing the need for mid-level medical practitioners, especially in rural and underserved areas, created the PA program to train individuals with a medical background to provide care under the supervision of physicians. The program was designed to leverage the fast-track training model used to prepare doctors during World War II and included former military corpsmen. These first PAs helped shape the profession that has since become an essential part of the healthcare system.
The provided references do not directly correlate to the information about the first PA graduating class but serve as an example of historical academic environments and educators who also marked their era as substantial contributors to their respective fields and educational practices.