Moves & Milestones: October 2017
Over the summer, Justine Strand de Oliveira, DrPH, PA-C, became the first PA to achieve the status of professor of PA studies in the UK. After her retirement from the Duke University PA program, where she was program director and section chief, Justine accepted a position with Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry/Institute of Health Sciences Education. On her appointment, Anthony Warrens, DM, PhD, dean for education at Barts, said that Strand de Oliveira “greatly strengthens the team … joining us at an interesting time for the NHS [National Health Service], as this new professional group enters the clinical workforce, positioning us well to study this innovation.”
The PA Foundation recently announced that Tamara Ritsema, MPH, MMSc, PA-C, is the recipient of the 2017 Breitman-Dorn Research Fellowship. The fellowship offers support to one researcher a year whose focus is on the PA profession and its influence on health care. Ritsema is an assistant professor of PA studies at George Washington University and St. George’s University of London, as well as a member of the JPAE Editorial Advisory Board.
Donovan Lessard, MA, PAEA’s director and senior analyst of research, has been named a member of AcademyHealth’s Health Workforce Interest Group Advisory Committee. This committee aims “to improve health and health care by promoting research and disseminating evidence that informs health workforce policy and practice.” As a member, Lessard will use his expertise in both research and PA education issues to help plan and focus the group’s activities.
Dawn LaBarbera, PhD, PA-C, received Rosalind Franklin University’s 2017 College of Health Professions Distinguished Alumni award. LaBarbera was a member of the PA program’s inaugural class in 1994. She was one of the first PA students to complete clinical rotations at the VA hospital that is now the Lovell Federal Healthcare Center. She joined the faculty at the PA program in 1996 and, during her time with the program, contributed greatly to its growth and development by wearing many hats, including research coordinator, clinical coordinator, and assistant program director.
