Congratulations to the 2026 PAEA Faculty and Staff Award Recipients
On October 8, 2026 at the Education Forum in Austin, PAEA recognized the educators who represent the best of the PA profession with this year’s PAEA Faculty and Staff Awards.
These awards are designed to promote and celebrate growth, commitment, dedication, and advocacy throughout PA education. Each award recipient has made a significant, lasting impact on their programs, students, and communities.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for the 2026 PAEA Awards. All the nominations and letters of support make it possible for PAEA to recognize members who contribute so much to the PA profession.
The 2026 Award Recipients:
Administrative Support
Thomas O’Shea, PhD, MEd, Director of Administrative and Student Services, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Article of the Year
“An exploration of perceptions of flourishing and social determinants of health among medical, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner students: A mixed methods study” by Stephanie Neary, PhD, MPA, MMA, PA-C, Assistant Professor, Yale University
Clinical Education
Joe Harrison, DMSc, PA-C, Assistant Clinical Professor, Associate Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, Northern Arizona University
Excellence in PA Education
Department of PA Studies & Practice, Rutgers University
Leadership Development
Robyn Chalupa, DSc, PA-C, Department Chair and Program Director, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Lifetime Achievement
Howard Straker, PA-C, EdD, MPH, Program Director, George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Master Faculty
Bettie Coplan, PhD, PA-C, Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University
New Faculty
Amber Koehler, PA-C, Assistant Professor of Medicine & Associate, Mayo Clinic
Partnership
Megan McGrane, DMSc, MS, PA-C, Director of APP Education & Engagement, Emergency & Hospitalist Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health
Research Achievement
Joanne Rolls, MEHP, MPAS, PA-C, Vice Chair of Education, Clinical Professor, University of Utah
Rising Star
Bethany Grubb, MPH, PhD, PA-C, Assistant Professor UT-Southwestern Medical Center
