Joan F. Ward, DMS, brings 25 years of clinical experience in gastroenterology, emergency medicine and internal/primary care medicine to the program.

She has been a physician assistant educator for 19+ years as a chair and program director, clinical coordinator and didactic coordinator. She has spent many years involved in the Physician Assistant Education Association as a clinical coordinator facilitator, new program director facilitator and currently writes for the Emergency Medicine and Surgery End of Rotation exams.

Ward received a bachelor of science in education from Cabrini College, after which she taught fourth and fifth grades and owned and operated a child care center for nine years. Along with teaching, she has been involved in community activities for too many years to count at the local fire company in which she has progressed through the ranks from firefighter to chief. Her interest in medicine developed from being a volunteer emergency medical technician. She returned to school and obtained a certificate of Physician Assistant Students from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences and completed a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Philadelphia University and a Doctorate in Medical Sciences at Lincoln Memorial University.

Academic Distinctions

• Lincoln Memorial University Doctor of Medical Science Program-Class of 2024 Class Advocate Award – August 2024
• Chester Heights Fire Company Samuel B. Ward, Jr. Honorary Award – April 2022
• Commencement Speaker: Lincoln Memorial DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine Physician Assistant Program Graduation – August 2018
• University of the Sciences Leahy Award for Learning Innovation – May 2016

Selected Publications

• Paquette,Roland, Ward J., et al. (2024) Emergency Medicine and General Surgery End of Rotation™ Exam Forms. Washington, D.C. Physician Assistant Education Association.
• Cleveland, T., Ward J., et al. (2023). Emergency Medicine and General Surgery End of Rotation™ Exam Forms. Washington, D.C. Physician Assistant Education Association.
• Cleveland, T., Ward J., et al. (2022). Emergency Medicine and General Surgery End of Rotation™ Exams. Alexandria, VA: The Physician Assistant Education Association.
• Cleveland, T., Ward J., et al. (2021). Emergency Medicine and General Surgery End of Rotation™ Exams. Alexandria, VA: The Physician Assistant Education Association.
• Hadley, D., Ward J., et al “A Pilot IPE Workshop Integrating OT, Pharmacy, PT, and PA Programs” Article reference: CPTL818 Journal title: Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning. October, 2017

Grant Participation

• Downs, G.; Poon, C.; Michael G. Thomson; Daniel J. Ventricelli; Richards, K., Ward, J. & Janke, A. ($943,000), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral for Treatment of Substance Abuse (SBIRT) Champion, 2015-2018

Research Interests

• Physician Assistant Education Association Poster Presentation: “A Pilot IPE Workshop Integrating OT, Pharmacy, PT, and PA Programs”- Washington, DC – October 2015
• Physician Assistant Education Association Faculty Presentation: "Lights, Camera, Action- The Use of Pre-OSCE’s in Clinical Education"
• Physician Assistant Education Association Faculty Presentation: "Definitely Positive: Accepting the Hearing Impaired Student in your PA Program"

Doctor of Medical Sciences
Lincoln Memorial University
School of Medical Sciences
Harrogate, Tennessee

Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies
Philadelphia University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Physician Assistant – Certificate
Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences / Philadelphia University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Science in Education
Cabrini College
Radnor, Pennsylvania