On October 1st, LMU President Clayton Hess has named Dr. Michael Stephens dean of the LMU-School of Medical Sciences. Stephens will oversee the Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Medical Science, and Medical Laboratory Science programs.

Dr. George "Brad" Thompson accepted the position of Director of Clinical Education for the PA Harrogate program.

PA Calvin Hall presents a lecture on Cirrhosis- Understanding The Causes and Early Detection at the Virginia Academy Of PAs (VAPA) 2021 biannual CME conference. Hall is currently a Hospital Medicine and Critical Care PA Fellow at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA. He plans to join the Critical Care group at Erlanger Baroness Hospital in Chattanooga, TN upon completion of his Fellowship.

Dr. Aisha Hussein accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies with Lincoln Memorial University, School of Medical Sciences, Physician Assistant program in Harrogate, TN. Dr, Hussein also accepted the position of a faculty position with the Doctor of Medical Science program.

In 2021, Dr. Michael Petrillo received the award for the best new small business of the year awarded by the North Myrtle Beach Chamber.

Post DMS, Dr. Andre Sonne has been busy caring for migrants of all ages while working near the border, biking across the nation, and serving as an active-duty soldier during COVID-19.

Read Full Story

In 2021, Dr. Joshua Shepherd received the Kentucky Colonel, the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Kentucky Colonels are Kentucky's ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship around the world.

Dr. Jennifer Harrington was featured in a collaborative video with Abbott Nutrition during the 2021 AAPA conference.

Watch Video

In October 2020, PA Alumnus, Sadril Mohammed, and Dr. Angelo Sorce opened Tazewell Orthopaedic & Arthritis Clinic. The clinic is a full-service orthopedic practice serving the community of Tazewell, Harrogate, Claiborne County, and Tristate area, TN.

Dr. Bryant traveled to Queens, New York, to help set up a field hospital in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The location would soon become known as the Billie Jean King Tennis Center Field Hospital. Each night Bryant held a case study lecture series for general learning and Covid-19 updates on available and recommended treatments and quarantine guidelines, with the help of all local, national and international sources available.

Read Full Story

PA Alumnus, Maurice Skillern, gives back to his community by volunteering to give vaccine shots to fellow Tennesseans. Dr. Skillern says "it is important as physician assistants and health care providers that we show our commitment to the welfare of our fellow Americans by doing what we can to actively participate in vaccine distribution."

Read Full Story

Austin Dages, PA-C returns from a medical outreach trip to Keyna with an amazing story. PA Dages spent seven weeks volunteering as a neurosurgery physician assistant at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya. Tenwek Hospital is a 361-bed Christian Mission Hospital located in the rural highlands of Kenya, an underserved area with an average wage of one dollar per day. Dages was the first neurosurgery visitor in six months due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

Read Full Story

On April 12, 2021, SMS Alumna Tonya Skidmore and her partner opened a family practice and urgent care clinic. The clinic is located in Cumberland Gap, TN. Understanding the importance of accessible healthcare services, Dr. Skidmore and her partner are providing healthcare seven days a week and offer in-office ultrasound services.

On October 21, 2020, LMU-School of Medical Sciences honored faculty member and DMS alumna, Dr. Skidmore, for her Dedication to Education. Dr. Skidmore has been a PA since 2011. She is a member of TAPA and AAPA and won an award from the Tennessee Department of Health for her dedication to treating the medically underserved.

On October 21, 2020, LMU-School of Medical Sciences honored faculty member and DMS alumnus, Dr. Stephens, for his Dedication to Education. He is a member of the Tennessee Association of Physicians Assistants, the Physician Assistant Education Association, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

On July 23, 2021, Dr. Michael Stephens was presented with the 2021 Spotlight Award. This award honors individuals who have volunteered services, time, and resources to help the LMU PA program and/or its students in some way. The presentation of this award spotlight selfless service and offer gratitude and honor to those individuals.

On October 21, 2020, LMU-School of Medical Sciences honored faculty member and DMS alumnus, Dr. Thompson, for his Dedication to Education. Dr. Thompson has been a PA since 2014. He is a member of AAPA, TAPA, ADPA and won Pi Alpha and the DMS Advocate award. Additionally, he serves as a member of numerous SMS, DMS committees, and several community involvement organizations.

On Monday, October 5, 2020, Dr. Rex Lee Hobbs, Jr., Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the School of Medical Sciences, was inducted into the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) Hall of Fame. This is the organization’s highest honor, reserved for the most deserved. Dr. Hobbs has previously served TAPA as its CME Committee Chairman, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. He was also the 2017 recipient of the TAPA PA of the Year award.

The Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) awards the James Montag Jr. Scholarship annually to PA students with military experience at the FallFest. The 2020 recipient is Dustin Lilly.

Dr. Marshall published a case report "A patient with shortness of breath after total hip replacement" in the Journal of the American Academy of PAs (JAAPA), volume 33, number 9, September 2020 edition.

Dr. Rupani passes the Asthma Education Certification exam. Dr. Rupani is only the second physician assistant in the state of TN with an AE-C. Dr. Rupani believes in life-long learning and the advancement of knowledge and understanding to improve health care.

Lauren Shaw named Healthcare Hero! PA Shaw volunteered for extra shifts at Citrus Memorial Hospital's ER to help with COVID-19 patients.

Read Full Story

Dr. Kara McGee accepted the position of Associate Professor at the Duke University School of Nursing. Dr. McGee gives credit for her success to the mentorship and knowledge of pedagogy she received from LMU's DMS faculty.

To learn more about Dr. McGee visit Duke News.

Dr. Dustin Bates accepted the position of Associate Director of Clinical Education with LMU, School of Medical Sciences, Physician Assistant program in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Jennifer Hawkins opens the doors to her Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, On-Site Medical Care in Colorado Springs, Colorado.