WASHINGTON (August 17, 2012) — The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) is pleased to announce that Lisa Alexander, Ed.D., M.P.H., P.A. ’79 , has been tapped to serve as the program director for the GW Physician Assistants (PA) program, one of the nation’s leading PA programs, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Dr. Alexander has served in many leadership roles within the school and PA program since joining GW in 1982. Her dedication to SMHS and to the field has had a major influence on the evolution of GW’s PA program and the innovation of its curriculum. Dr. Alexander served as the director of the PA program from 1989 to 1997, followed by other leadership roles, serving as director of the GW/PA Distance Education program and the director of the GW/DC Area Health Education Center. Outside of GW, she has served as a consultant for the International Relief and Development, Inc., and was a Fulbright Senior Specialist for the U.S. Department of State.
“For the past 30 years, Dr. Alexander has been a leader in the PA program as well as across the medicine and health sciences spectrum at GW. She is revered by her students and respected by the vast GW community,” said Jeffrey S. Akman, M.D., interim vice president for Health Affairs and dean, School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “She is the right person to lead and enhance the PA program in the years ahead.”
Currently, Dr. Alexander also serves as assistant dean for community-based partnerships and interim chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She will retain these responsibilities, in addition to her new role as director.
Additionally, Karen Wright, Ph.D., PA-C, director of research and assistant professor of physician assistant studies, has been selected to serve as theassociate program director for the PA program. Dr. Wright joined SMHS in 2008 and has provided the program’s faculty and staff with direction and council on research and program evaluation. Dr. Wright has an extensive background in academia. She came to GW from the Department of Physician Assistant at Howard University in the College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences, where she held in multiple leadership roles, including serving as the academic coordinator for the program.
The GW PA program is celebrating its 40th anniversary – making the program one of the first PA programs in the nation. The program has advanced due to its pioneering curriculum and unique community service component that introduces students to health care and social services in the DC metro area.
