Welcome to the inaugural newsletter of the Department of Physician Assistant for alumni, preceptors and friends of the program. I am honored to welcome you as the relatively new dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. With this note, we celebrate the continued excellence of the program with its commitment to preparing students for working with underserved and marginalized populations and its nationally recognized faculty and program director.

We are proud of DUPAP’s commitment to engaging students in civic involvement and community outreach activities while they pursue our rigorous and challenging program.

We are also excited to announce that the PA profession overall was ranked #3 by the 2019 U.S. News & World Report best jobs and ranked #1 in health professions jobs. Our program in particular now ranks in the top 10 of its kind in U.S. News & World Report, moving up three spots from its previous ranking. Our program is known for its long history—the ‘grandfather’ of PA programs—and for being mission-driven, bringing primary care to marginalized and underserved people.

About me

I am a sociologist by training and I come to healthcare with a background in research and in aging. My first research position upon obtaining my PhD was in partnership with a PA who taught me much about your profession. I learned of its evolving evidence and theory bases, and saw firsthand the critical thinking, systematic and comprehensive assessments and blend of science, compassion and know-how in the clinical setting. Most importantly, I witnessed the positive and impressive impact that PAs had with real people in medical encounters—in this case, older frail adults.

I also learned this is a profession that is very “purposeful.” Purpose refers to deriving meaning from life’s experiences and to possess a sense of intentionality and goal directedness that guides behavior. Research shows the importance of purpose for leading a happy and long life. Faculty, students and staff of the PA department are, in fact, people with important purposes. Meet, for example, two individuals in the PA Department who are part of our CNHP’s Nurturing Purpose project—a project documenting the varied and inspirational stories of purpose that guide the professional lives of our community.

Charles Stream is a physician assistant and faculty member with a master’s degree in public health. He has dedicated his career to serving people living in underserved rural and urban communities and his mission is to instill his passion for serving the underserved in the next generation of physician assistants.

Danielle Moyer, an alumna, has taken her training and compassion to some of the most dangerous places around the world. She has served in hospitals and outpatient clinics in Uganda, provided medical services via mobile clinics during the civil war in South Sudan, treated civilian casualties during the Mosul offensive in Iraq and, most recently, cared for Rohingya refugees during a diphtheria outbreak in Bangladesh.

I hope you enjoy this first newsletter and welcome your comments and involvement as the Department moves forward paving new directions in education, practice and research.

Laura N. Giltin, PhD, FGSA, FAAN
Dean and Distinguished University Professor