81-6350 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750
19.525, -155.92275
MEDEX Kona is one of five campuses of the University of Washington MEDEX Northwest PA Program. ARC-PA accredits all five under a single University of Washington entry, so the accreditation status, curriculum, tuition, deadline and prerequisites on this page are program-wide. You apply once through CASPA under University of Washington and choose two preferred campuses.
Kona has no five-year first-time PANCE rate yet. Only four cohorts have sat the exam — the classes of 2022–2025 — and across those four the campus passed 51 of 87 first-time takers (59%): 59%, 43%, 68% and 64% by year. Class 5 graduates 22 August 2026, which will be the fifth cohort.
MEDEX Kona is the fifth and newest MEDEX campus, approved by ARC-PA in June 2020. Its inaugural cohort began instruction on 14 September 2020 and graduated in August 2022 as the first class of physician assistants trained in Hawaii. MEDEX calls the site “Kona”; ARC-PA lists it as “Kealakekua”. ARC-PA’s approved maximum entering class here is 40; MEDEX currently seats 24.
PANCE figures are first-time-taker rows read from the program’s own NCCPA Exam Performance Summary Report, which breaks results out by campus. Main campus: University of Washington (Seattle).
Admissions reopen for 2027-2028: applications accepted May 1 – Oct 1, 2026 (via CASPA). Mission-driven selection emphasizing substantial hands-on patient care experience, primary care, and service to underserved/rural communities; experienced healthcare workers and community-tie candidates favored.
Summarized from the program’s official admissions / selection-process pages. Always confirm current details on the program’s website.
Format: Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) Where: On campus
MEDEX Northwest interview days include an admissions overview, a Q&A panel, interactive activities, and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) that assess character, communication skills, professionalism, and adaptability. Interviews are conducted in-person and run from October through January under a rolling admissions process, with invitations and results sent by email.
Summarized from University of Washington-Medex Northwest-Kona’s own admissions and interview pages — verified 2026-08-01. Interview formats and dates change between cycles, so confirm with the program before you make travel plans. See the program’s interview page.
Admissions Paused: This program has voluntarily paused new-student matriculation for 2026-27 and is not accepting applicants for that entry cycle. The program remains ARC-PA accredited (on probation).
MEDEX Northwest, the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program, is committed to educating experienced health personnel from diverse backgrounds to practice medicine with physician supervision. The program provides a broad, competency-based curriculum focused on primary care, with an emphasis on underserved populations. MEDEX encourages life-long learning to meet ever-changing healthcare needs. As a pioneer in PA education, MEDEX continues to be innovative in identifying, creating, and filling new niches for PAs to expand healthcare access.
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