The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) Physician Assistant (PA) Program celebrated its stars at its annual awards ceremony and reception on Monday, Oct. 14, marking the conclusion of Physician Assistant (PA) Week celebrations.
During the event, the program honored students, faculty, and clinical preceptors for their dedication to the profession and the community.
“One of the things that makes today special is that this Awards Ceremony takes place during our Bicentennial year at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences,” said Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, professor of surgery, Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine, vice president for health affairs, and dean of GW SMHS. “For 200 years, we have been training generations of talented and compassionate healthcare professionals — people like you. It’s hard to believe, but for more than 50 years, the PA Program has been part of the school’s tradition of excellence. I want to congratulate all of you for choosing this as your life’s work. It will be highly rewarding.”
To kick off the awards, several of last year’s award winners shared their gratitude for the scholarships they had received. Among them were David Klein, PA-C ’24, recipient of the Patrisha C. Creevy Scholarship, and Fatima Elgarguri, PA-C/MPH ’24, who received both the Terrence E. Barr Memorial Scholarship and the Outstanding Graduate Student Award, which she will accept at the 2024 graduation ceremony.
“Receiving this scholarship was not only an incredible financial support, but it also provided me with an example of how important it is to serve each other, especially the new graduates,” Klein said, reflecting on the impact of the Creevy award, which honors students who demonstrate academic excellence and service to the program.
“Every physician assistant and provider I worked with during my time in the program gave me so much. I am filled with gratitude for their support—and continued support. I’ve already had the opportunity to give back a little by working with some of the students who are currently in the program. It’s an incredible feeling and privilege, and I hope my service will inspire others, just as so many others in this room have inspired me.”
“I am so grateful to Dr. Coletta for this scholarship,” said Elgarguri. “The greatest honor for me was being considered worthy of a scholarship that memorializes such an inspiring person and PA, Terence Barr.”
She described Barr as a compassionate perfectionist, an exceptional problem-solver and diagnostician, and, above all, a kind and friendly human being. “To me, those are the ideal characteristics for any clinician. He provides a model for me to aspire to, and one I will never forget.”
The awards ceremony continued with Nicole DeVaul, PhD, associate professor of anatomy and cell biology, presenting the Dr. Frank Slaby Physician Assistant Student Award, named for the former faculty member who helped shape the PA program’s anatomy curriculum. This year’s award went to Lauren Haigney, PA Class of 2026.
“One of the things I remember most about working with Dr. Slaby was his commitment to making the anatomy course as clinically relevant as possible,” DeVaul recalled. “We want to make gross anatomy something that’s meaningful for you as you move into your clinical practice.”
Next, Tamara Ritsema, PhD, MPH, PA-C, presented the Patrisha C. Creevy Scholarship to Jake Restivo, PA Class of 2025. Creevy, PA-C ’79, a long-time supporter of GW’s PA program who dedicated her career to cardiology care, established the scholarship in 2015 to provide students with the same opportunities she had at GW.
Restivo, who received high praise from his clinical preceptors for his strong medical knowledge and professionalism, was noted for demonstrating skills beyond his years. “One of his preceptors even remarked that Jake’s knowledge base was stronger than that of some residents, and despite that, Jake was always eager to learn and humble in all his interactions,” Ritsema said.
Aaron Henry, PA-C ’10, CERT ’10, assistant professor of PA studies, presented the Jonathan Earl Skillings Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of Jonathan Skillings, PA ’93, who developed a PA cardiology residency in collaboration with GW and Johns Hopkins University. This year’s recipient was Tatum Turetzky, PA Class of 2025, in recognition of her excellence and commitment to education.
Elizabeth Prevou, DMSc, MPH/PA-C ’15, assistant professor of PA studies, presented the Paul Marino Scholarship, established by Prevou and her husband, Karim Trad, MD, in honor of Paul Marino, PA ’79. She explained that the scholarship was created to honor Marino’s significant impact on patients and the field of PA education.
This year’s recipient was Matt Matera, a first-year PA student in the Class of 2026.
John Colletta, PhD, continued the awards by presenting the Terrence E. Barr Memorial Scholarship. Barr’s longtime partner, Colletta, described him as an extraordinary PA who embodied empathy, altruism, intelligence, and a passion for his work. Barr, who served in Vietnam before becoming one of the first PAs, had a profound impact on many lives. Colletta established the scholarship in Barr’s memory to honor his legacy of kindness and dedication to the profession.
The Barr Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Shay Lukas, PA Class of 2025.
Joshua Felsher, MD ’99, RESD ’05, clinical associate professor of PA studies, received the Dr. Jules Cahan Distinguished Teaching Award, which was presented by Susannah Jenkins, MPA, PA-C. Felsher, a board-certified general surgeon, was recognized for his exceptional dedication to clinical teaching.
Susan LeLacheur, DrPH, PA-C, presented the Lisa Mustone-Alexander Distinguished Public Service Award to Jacqueline S. Barnett, DHSc, MSHS ’02, PA-C ’94, division chief and program director for the PA Program at the Duke University School of Medicine. The award was created in 2022, in honor of Alexander’s extensive service to GW’s PA program, as well as her service to the professional nationally, recalled LeLacheur.
Barnett is a familiar face to GW and the PA program. She is not only a two-time GW alumna, Barnett also served as a standout member on the PA faculty for many years, earning the Morton A. Bender Teaching Award during her time at GW. Her clinical experience spans pediatrics, urgent care, family medicine, and infectious disease.
The evening concluded with a surprise award as PA students presented Howard Straker, PhD ’18, MPH, PA-C, director of the Physician Assistant/MPH Program at GW, with the PA Week Professor of the Year Award.
“This award is voted on by students and is historically a very competitive decision,” said Sierra Acker, co-president of the James K. Tolton Society, GW’s student chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. “While many of our professors are outstanding, I can speak for our students when I say that this professor stands out not only for his wealth of knowledge in the classroom, but also for his tireless advocacy for the community.”
Straker, a former president of the PAEA Board of Directors, has more than 30 years of experience as a PA across various specialties, including correctional health, family medicine, emergency medicine, and adolescent health. He has also taught at multiple universities, including City University of New York, MEDEX NW at the University of Washington, and Howard University.
The ceremony closed with J. Barton Gillum, DSc, PA-C, who was appointed PA program director in Spring 2024, expressing his gratitude to the faculty, staff, and students.
“As I reflect on my decision to become a PA 24 years ago,” Gillum said, “I knew it was a smart choice, but I had no idea how rich and rewarding my career would be, or how many lives I would touch. That is something I will carry with me forever.”
“I’m proud to be a PA and proud to be in a room with all of you,” he continued. “You are standing on the shoulders of giants — those who came before you. We believe in you and your potential to carry on that legacy.”
