Return to Normal Operations
Lincoln Memorial University will return to normal operations, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and will operate on a regular schedule at all locations, including J. Frank White Academy.
While conditions have improved, the University cannot monitor every roadway or local condition at all times across each location. Students, faculty, and staff are asked to use their personal judgment regarding travel and safety based on current conditions in their area. Safety remains our top priority, and individuals should take appropriate precautions as needed.
Please continue to monitor official University communication channels for any additional information.
Thank you for your cooperation as we move forward safely and responsibly.
University leadership, facilities, safety, and emergency management teams will continue to monitor temperatures, road conditions, and evolving weather impacts. The safety of our students, faculty, and staff remains the highest priority, and decisions will continue to be made thoughtfully based on local conditions.
Please continue to monitor official University communication channels, including University email and website updates, for any additional information or schedule changes.
Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to manage these conditions safely and responsibly.
Welcome to the Lincoln Memorial University Physician Assistant Program, located in Knoxville, Tennessee. We are glad you chose to be a part of our program! Our mission, which is consistent with the mission and purpose of LMU, is to train future physician assistants to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in the Appalachian region and beyond by providing a rigorous educational experience, with expanded training in surgical sciences, which supports each student’s academic success and professional development. For us to complete that mission, we have developed a 27-month curriculum supported by experienced faculty and staff committed to preparing future colleagues who are regarded as highly knowledgeable, skilled, and professional.
Over the course of 27 months, you will complete four semesters in the classroom (Didactic Phase) and three semesters in the clinical setting (Clinical Phase). Instruction during the Didactic Phase includes a blend of learning activities including traditional lectures, small group discussions, laboratory sessions, and simulated patient encounters. In addition to providing a solid foundation in primary care medicine, the curriculum includes three (3) semesters of Clinically Oriented Anatomy and Dissection in a donor laboratory where, in addition to use of prosected donors, you will complete dissections and practice clinical procedures. During Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) in the Clinical Phase, you will apply concepts learned in the Didactic Phase to patient encounters in primary care and surgical disciplines.
The curriculum will be challenging and require personal sacrifices and high levels of determination. Your faculty will be there to help you develop an academic plan for success and professional development as well as a resource for academic concerns. I encourage all students to share in each other’s academic and personal successes and to lean on classmates and program faculty when challenges arise.
Again, we are excited for you to be a part of this program and look forward to your growth and development in becoming a well-respected physician assistant in the Appalachian region and beyond.
Professionally,
Dustin Bates, DMS, PA-C
Assistant Dean and Program Director
LMU-SMS-Knoxville PA Program
