Excellence Through Diversity Award

The nomination cycle for this award will open in March 2025.

Award Information

This award recognizes the outstanding commitments and achievements of a PAEA member program that has made noteworthy contributions to promoting diversity in all elements of PA education. The most competitive applications utilize data to illustrate their growth or success in the award’s criteria.

Criteria

Nominees are evaluated and must demonstrate substantial contributions to PA education in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all of the following areas:

  • Successful outreach to and recruitment from diverse and underrepresented communitities
  • Promotes a culture of inclusivity through activities such as training and educational experiences for faculty, staff, and students
  • Research and/or scholarship 
  • Leadership, advocacy, and service

Requirements and materials

Nomination Letter

Nomination letter describing in detail how each of the award criteria were met

Letter of Support

Two letters of support addressing the author’s first-hand knowledge of the nominee with relation to all of the award criteria

Program Director (or their Program Designee) Letter Submission

One of the required letters, either the nomination letter or one of the letters of support, must be submitted by the program director or their program designee.

Diversity Statement

Your program’s diversity/DEIA focus or definition of diversity/DEIA

Be sure to check out nomination FAQs for additional information and tips

Recognition

  • Personalized award
  • Check for $500
  • Recognition at the Awards Ceremony
  • Complimentary PAEA Education Forum registration for one representative of the program

2024 Recipient

  • 2023 – University of Washington MEDEX Northwest
  • 2022 – A.T. Still University
  • 2021 – University of Utah PA Program
  • 2020 – Tour University California
  • 2019 – Northern Arizona University
  • 2018 – Rutgers University Physician Assistant Program
  • 2017 – UT Southwestern, School of Health Professions
  • 2016 – University of Oklahoma, Tulsa
  • 2015 – University of Southern California Primary Care PA Program
  • 2014 – Duke University PA Program
  • 2013 – University of South Alabama
  • 2011 – University of Toledo PA Program
  • 2010 – John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital/Malcolm X College
  • 2008 – San Joaquin Valley College Primary Care PA Program
  • 2007 – University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2006 – University of Washington MEDEX Northwest
  • 2005 – University of Texas Pan American
  • 2004 – SUNY Downstate Medical Center
  • 2003 – Native American Track, Arizona School of Health Sciences