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Physician Assistant Studies Department
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Physician Assistant Studies Department

Physician assistants provide a variety of services including taking medical histories and performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting lab tests, prescribing medications, assisting in surgery and counseling patients. Because of their close working relationship with physicians, physician assistants are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) in Mesa, Ariz. prepares highly competent professionals in the art and science of medicine steeped in the osteopathic tradition of body-mind-spirit care for the whole person and service to underserved populations.

From their first day, ATSU PA students are immersed in engaged scholarship threading the philosophy of whole person healthcare and serving the underserved through classes and activities. Award winning faculty, adjuncts, and instructors provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to PA students in all phases of their education with the time honored medical education traditions of mentored Experience, Example, and Excellence. Every PA student receives certification as a trainer and conducts the national award winning, evidence-based, falls prevention program, Still Standing: A Matter of Balance™, which is delivered in teams in a variety of community based settings throughout the Greater Phoenix area. In addition, every PA student provides transitional care education to real patients via The ATSU Heart Failure prevention project, which is delivered in patient homes working in interdisciplinary teams.

ATSU-ASHS’ physician assistant programs are always looking for new, highly qualified, high-quality training sites. If you know of a facility interested in providing rotation or internship positions for physician assistants, please contact clinical coordinator Tessa Tibben, MS, PA-C at 480.219.6145.
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The ATSU-ASHS faculty consists of highly accomplished educators with strong backgrounds in both professional and academic pursuits. The Department of Physician Assistant Studies faculty holds leadership positions in both national and state associations and frequently present at national and state conferences such as the
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Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants annual conference and the American Academy of Physician Assistants Annual Conference. In 2015, PA faculty spoke at the World Symposium of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry and the Western Regional Dental Convention. They bring clinical expertise from many areas of medicine, including family practice, primary care, remote and rural practice, emergency/trauma, sports medicine, allergy/immunology, gastroenterology, surgery, and otolaryngology to enrich each learner’s experience. This gives students the opportunity to gain knowledge from people who have real hands-on experience and learn the skills to effectively communicate that knowledge.
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Physician Assistant Faculty & Staff

Physician Assistant Studies Departmental Faculty

Albert Simon, DHSc, MEd, PA-C Albert Simon, DHSc, MEd, PA-C
afsimon@atsu.edu
Department Chair

Bruce Badaglialacqua, DO Bruce Badaglialacqua, DO
bbadaglialacqua@atsu.edu
Medical Director

Gary Smith, MD, FAAFP Gary Smith, MD, FAAFP
gsmith@atsu.edu
Medical Director

Linda MacConnell, MPAS, MAEd, PA-C Linda MacConnell, MPAS, MAEd, PA-C
lmacconnell@atsu.edu
Faculty

Cody Black, MHS, PA-C Cody Black, MHS, PA-C
cblack@atsu.edu
Director of Didactic Education
Faculty

Sara Wilson, MPAS, PA-C Sara Wilson, MPAS, PA-C
swilson01@atsu.edu
Faculty

Ray Pavlick, PhD Ray Pavlick, PhD
rpavlick@atsu.edu
Faculty

Annette Bettridge MS, PA-C, FNP Annette Bettridge PA-C, MS, FNP
abettridge@atsu.edu
Faculty

Lisa Tshuma, DBH, MPAS, MPA, PA-C
lisatshuma@atsu.edu
Clinical Coordinator

Kimberly DeVore, PA-C, MS
kdevore@atsu.edu
Director of Clinical Education

Melinda Rawcliffe, PA-C, MS
melindarawcliffe@atsu.edu
Faculty

Lorie Weber, PA-C
lweber@atsu.edu
Instructor

Angela Kiselyk, PA-C, MS
akiselyk@atsu.edu
Faculty

Departmental Managers & Staff

Linda Wheelis Linda Wheelis
lwheelis@atsu.edu
Manager, Advanced Physician Assistant Program

Cindy Becerra Cindy Becerra
cbecerra@atsu.edu
Manager of Clinical Education

Bonnie Trahan Bonnie Trahan
btrahan@atsu.edu
Manager of the Physician Assistant Program

Ashley Purviance, MA, JD Ashley Purviance, MA, JD
apurviance@atsu.edu
Portal Manager

Corey M Cooper, BS, EMT Corey M Cooper, BS, EMT
cmcooper@atsu.edu
Manager of Assessment and Technology

Janell Somers, BS Janell Somers, BS
jsomers@atsu.edu
Clinical Education Assistant

Bobbi Catton
bcatton@atsu.edu
Curriculum Coordinator

Adjunct Faculty

Phil Merrill, MEd, PA-C Phil Merrill MEd, PA-C
pmerrill@atsu.edu
Adjunct Faculty

Mark Fischione, MD Mark Fischione, MD
MFischione@atsu.edu
Adjunct Faculty

Linda Knutson, MS, MEd, PA-C
lknutson@atsu.edu
Adjunct Faculty

Jeannette Vaughn-Dotterer, MS, PA-C
jvaughndotterer@atsu.edu
Adjunct Faculty

Physician Assistant Scholarly Showcase
Because at ATSU social determinants are as central as physiology to each patient’s care, PA students are immersed in service-learning as an indispensable part of their whole person healthcare education. The Didactic Clinical Experience (DCE) program is unique among U.S. physician assistant programs and reinforces whole person care and ATSU’s body, mind, spirit philosophy through hands-on clinical mentorship in the first year.


Clinically engaged faculty guide participation in unique office-based and community-based clinical settings including medical examiner offices, primary care practices, surgeries, a national pilot EMS/community paramedicine system, community clinics for the underinsured, medical triage for the nationally acclaimed Mission of Mercy dental event, the first ever medical university-delivered Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program, the first on-reservation American Indian Special Olympics MEDfest® program, camp screening physicals for children with cancer and their siblings, and other community wellness clinics.

The event medical services team provides supervised emergency care for events like the USA Karate Olympic Qualifier, the ATSU 5K and Special Olympics’ regional and state games.

Through our partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Hometown Scholars program, our aim is to train exceptional, competent and caring physician assistants and return them to work, live, and serve their community, shifting the distribution of providers to better reflect the needs of communities.
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Physician Assistant Continuing Education
A.T. Still University’s Continuing Education department provides support for the University’s schools, graduates and the professional community to fulfill their potential throughout their careers and ultimately impact patient care and well-being. The Continuing Education department serves to improve professional knowledge and skills; fosters a positive impact on patient outcomes; exposes clinicians to new information; and develops an interdisciplinary, healthcare team approach to treating patients and improving community/population health through the development and implementation of cost-effective, evidence-based education programs.
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