FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

For more information, contact:

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Sheila Champlin -- (901) 448-4957, schampli@uthsc.edu

 

 

Physician Assistant Studies Launched at

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center;

Catherine Gemmiti Named Founding Chair, Program Director

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First PA Program at a Public University in Tennessee

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Memphis, Tenn. (May 4, 2012) – The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) has launched the first physician assistant training program available at a public university in the state of Tennessee.  The Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies is organized within the UTHSC College of Allied Health Sciences and is set to begin enrollment on the UTHSC main campus in Memphis in January 2014.  The department will enroll a maximum of 25 students in its inaugural class. 

Catherine Gemmiti has been named founding chair and program director for the UTHSC Department of PA Studies.  She brings extensive experience in PA education to UTHSC, most recently as PA clinical coordinator for Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville.  Her previous assignments included serving as Director at Rocky Mountain College, Program Director at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Program Director at The University of New England, and Clinical Director and Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University.  Her UTHSC appointment will begin on May 15.

With a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from the University of the State of New York, Gemmiti earned her Physician Assistant Diploma from Dartmouth Medex New England, and received a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the
University of Nebraska.  She has administered start-up planning, branding and development of new programs.  Her experience also includes some five years of service as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, Medical Specialist Corps.

“Ms. Gemmiti has demonstrated leadership in teaching, research, service
and clinical care during her career in PA education,” noted Noma Anderson, PhD, dean of the UTHSC College of Allied Health Sciences.  “That wealth of experience will be of tremendous benefit as we move our PA program forward.”
            PA training at UTHSC is designed as a two-year program.  Upon successful completion of all requirements, students will graduate with a diploma and will be qualified and well prepared for employment in physicians’ offices, hospitals and other health care settings.         

For more information about a career as a physician assistant, visit the college’s Web site at: www.uthsc.edu/allied or contact Justin R. Casey, coordinator of administration in the UTHSC College of Allied Health Sciences -- (901) 448-1654.

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public service.  In 2011, UT Health Science Center celebrated its centennial: 100 years advancing the future of health care.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main UTHSC campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  The UTHSC campus in Knoxville includes a College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  In addition, the UTHSC Chattanooga campus includes a College of Medicine and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  Since its founding in 1911, UTHSC has educated and trained more than 53,000 health care professionals on campuses and in health care facilities across the state.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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