Scotland's first cohort of Physician Associates - a relatively new healthcare post in the UK to address the needs and demands of population change - have successfully completed their studies at University of Aberdeen School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Professor Mike Greaves, Head of the University's College of Life Sciences and Medicine, led the presentation of the National Qualifying Examination certificates and prizes which were given by Professor Steve Heys and Dr James McLay.
All eleven newly qualified PAs already have posts at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and St George's Hospital in London.
Dr James McLay, Programme Director for Physician Associate Studies said: "The University of Aberdeen and the newly formed PA faculty are really proud to see the first cohort of students qualify. It has been a privilege and pleasure to watch such highly motivated students become the health care professionals of the future."
The USA created the PA role in the mid 1960s where it was initially developed to address a shortage of primary care doctors in rural and urban areas. Two years ago a survey put the post at number two in a list of the top 100 jobs in America.