Physician Assistant

Faculty

Bruce Badaglialacqua, D.O.
Medical Director
Dr. Badaglialacqua (“Dr. B.” for short) is a graduate of Michigan State University-College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Michigan.  He’s practiced family medicine in Michigan and Arizona.  Currently, he is the director of student medical education for the Kirksville based ATSU D.O. school, and he is                                                 the medical director of the PA program. 

Gary Smith, MD, FAAFP
Co-Medical Director
Dr. Smith is a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine. He completed a family medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and currently practices family medicine. He serves the department in both didactic and clinical aspects.

Albert Simon, DHSc, PA-C
Program Chair and Director
Dr. Simon is a PA graduate of the Alderson Broaddus PA program in West Virginia.  Prior to ATSU, he served as chair of the St. Francis University PA Program in Pennsylvania.  His clinical practice experience includes internal medicine and occupational medicine.  In addition to administrative duties, he teaches in the History and Physical Examination sequence.  

Laura Witte, Ph.D., PA-C
Associate Program Director
Dr. Witte is a PA graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina. She practiced primarily as an urgent care PA in Wilmington, NC, prior to moving to Arizona. In addition to administrative duties, she serves the department by working with the clinical team.

Bob McMullen, M.S., PA-C
Director of Assessment, Technology and Research
Mr. McMullen is a PA graduate of University of Texas Medical Branch. His clinical experience is primarily in emergency medicine. In addition to his administrative duties, he teaches Physiology and Clinical Integration. 

Bartley Rust, MPAS, PA-C
Director of Didactic Education
Mr. Rust is a PA graduate of the Community Hospital of the Roanoke Valley College of Health Sciences. His clinical experience is in primary care, and he is an instructor for Healthy Community and the History and Physical Examination sequence.

Jim Burkett, M.S., PA-C, DFAAPA
Director, Advanced Physician Assistant Program
Mr. Burkett is a PA graduate from the Community College of Allegheny County and an APA graduate of ATSU. He has completed a PA Surgical Residency. His clinical experience includes interventional radiology, surgery, occupational and emergency medicine. In addition to his administrative duties, he teaches ethics and medical simulation classes.

J. Mace Hamblin, DHSc, M.P.A.
Clinical Coordinator
Dr. Hamblin holds a Doctorate degree from ATSU in Health Sciences and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University. He serves the department as a clinical coordinator.

Monica Fernandez, MMS, PA-C
Faculty
Ms. Fernandez is a PA graduate of Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ.   Her clinical experience includes urgent care and emergency medicine.  She teaches medical Spanish and pharmacology.  Additionally, she has extensive experience in clinical research.

Ian McLeod, M.Ed., M.S., ATC, PA-C 
Faculty
Mr. McLeod is a PA graduate of A.T. Still University and holds a Masters of Education in Athletic Training from the University of Virginia.  His clinical experience is in primary care and sports medicine.  He is an instructor in the History and Physical Examination sequence and will also be teaching in the clinical medicine series.

Phil Merrill M.Ed, PA-C
Faculty
Mr. Merrill is a PA graduate of University of Oklahoma/USAF program. He also holds a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. His clinical experience is in Primary care, Urgent care, and Gastroenterology. He is an instructor in the History and Physical exam sequence and will also be teaching in the                                                 Clinical Medicine series.

Managers & Staff

Linda Wheelis
Manager, Advanced Physician Assistant Program
Ms. Wheelis is the manager of our Advanced Physician Assistant (APA) track.  This is a program for graduate PAs who are pursuing a master’s degree.  APA is an online educational program.  Ms. Wheelis works with students and PA faculty around the country.

Cindy Becerra
Manager of Clinical Education
Ms. Becerra works with the clinical team. She helps to set up rotations and guides students through their clinical year.

Bonnie Trahan
Assistant to the Chair
Ms. Trahan is the Assistant to the Chair.  In addition to administrative duties, she organizes the admissions process and departmental events.  

Bethany Shaver
Clerical Assistant
Ms. Shaver works with the clinical team. She assists faculty, staff and clinical students.

Adjunct Faculty

Mark Fischione, M.D.
Dr. Fischione is a graduate of the American University of the Caribbean Medical School.  He completed a residency in pathology and a fellowship in forensics.  Currently, he is a forensic pathologist, serving at the chief medical examiner for Maricopa County in Phoenix.  He teaches the pathophysiology sequence. 

Tracy Stevenson, M.S., PA-C
Ms. Stevenson is a graduate of the ATSU PA program.   She currently practices family medicine.  She teaches in the History and Physical Exam lab sequence.   

Brooke Menzie, M.S., PA-C
Ms. Menzie is a PA graduate of A.T. Still University. She currently
practices Emergency Medicine.  She teaches in the History and Physical exam lab sequence.