WASHINGTON (Oct.13, 2016) — Reamer L. Bushardt, Pharm.D., PA-C, DFAAPA, tenured professor and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center's School of Medicine, was named senior associate dean for health sciences at the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS). Bushardt will lead all health sciences departments at GW SMHS, including:
- The Department of Physician Assistant Studies, which includes a nationally ranked PA program;
- The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Care Sciences, which features a physical therapy program with a seven-year, 100 percent board pass rate for first-time test takers, three fellowship programs, and an active research agenda;
- The Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, including nationally recognized academic programs in clinical and translational research and administration, health care quality, regulatory affairs, emergency health services, clinical health sciences, and a newly launched graduate program in integrative medicine as well as doctorate programs in occupational therapy and translational health sciences;
- The Division of Integrated Health Sciences, which includes a post-baccalaureate pre-medicine program and programs in medical laboratory sciences, with expansion initiatives at the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus.
"We are excited to welcome Dr. Bushardt to the leadership team — his expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow our programmatic offerings and research in the health sciences," said Jeffrey S. Akman, M.D. '81, RESD '85, vice president for health affairs, Walter A. Bloedorn Professor of Administrative Medicine, and dean of GW SMHS. "I have the utmost confidence in his ability to continue to strengthen and develop strategic partnerships and collaborative arrangements in this area."
In this role, Bushardt will nurture an environment of scholarship through dedication to collaboration, patient safety and quality outcomes research, clinical practice innovation, translational science, medical informatics research and support, team science, and blended learning and education research across the health sciences. He will also continue efforts to develop and establish integrated educational initiatives with regional partners.
"The talent, dedication, and character of the faculty, staff and students at GW SMHS are evident. We all face a critical time and tremendous opportunity to reshape health care, investigate new models that improve quality and access, and advance critical areas of health sciences research," said Bushardt. "GW SMHS is positioned at the heart of the country and is uniquely experienced in building strategic partnerships. Leveraging these strengths and a commitment to collaboration, we can lead meaningful change that improves the lives of patients and the health of our communities — I am honored and excited to join the GW SMHS family."
In addition to leading the Department of PA Studies, Bushardt is also a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, professor and a program leader in Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center's Clinical Translational Science Institute, and professor in the W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center. Bushardt is an active researcher currently engaged in health workforce and educational research projects extramurally funded by the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and several foundations. Throughout his career, his clinical practice has been embedded in primary care and geriatrics. Previously, he served as director of the Division of PA Studies at the Medical University of South Carolina, as well as many other leadership positions.
He has published extensively on the education and training of health care professional students and leaders, interprofessional education and collaborative practice models. Bushardt serves as editor-in-chief for the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He serves as a member of the North Carolina Medical Board and is a fellow in the Federation of State Medical Boards. He received the North Carolina Triad Forty Leaders Under Forty Award, Teacher of the Year Award from the Medical University of South Carolina's College of Health Professions, the Innovative Pharmacist of the Year from the South Carolina Pharmacy Association, and the Nancy Moore Thurmond Community Service Award, among many others.
Bushardt received his doctor of pharmacy and bachelor of science in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of South Carolina. He received his bachelor of science in physician assistant studies from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed an administrative fellowship in health system leadership and workforce innovation at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Bushardt is married to Christin Bushardt and has three daughters, Isabella (10yo), Madeline (7yo), and Sophie (3yo).
He will assume the role of Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciences on Jan. 1, 2017.
Stepping down from this position is Joseph Bocchino, Ed.D. '03, M.B.A., who served as senior associate dean for health sciences over the last four years and served as chair of CRL for seven years prior to 2012. He has made significant strategic contributions to the growth of the Health Sciences programs and has served in an advisory role, along with the other senior associate deans, on Dean Akman's senior staff. Bocchino will remain on the faculty in both a teaching and research capacity, as he expands his research portfolio in the area of strategic organizational design. The school is grateful for his exceptional service and leadership at SMHS and for his continued role in the health sciences.
