Elizabeth Poindexter | Physician Assistant Studies

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, second-year Physician Assistant Studies student Alec Fields, a veteran and former fleet Marine force hospital corpsman, began to use his 3D printer to create much-needed brackets for personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care providers in eastern North Carolina. Fields’ mother-in-law, who works at CarolinaEast Medical Center, told him the …

The journal published by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) recently featured an article coauthored by Janelle Bludorn, a clinical assistant professor in Physician Assistant Studies. The article, titled “Inspiring the Future of Physician Assistsant Ultrasound Education,” focuses on integrating point-of-care ultrasound into PA education.

Incoming Physician Assistant Studies students recite the Hippocratic Oath.

The Physician Assistant Studies program, part of the Department of Allied Health Sciences, welcomed twenty students to the class of 2021 with a white coat ceremony on January 16, 2020. This year’s cohort of students is one-quarter veterans, and nearly forty percent were raised in a medically underserved area. During the ceremony, Paul Chelminski, the …

The Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA) has named Janelle Bludorn, a clinical assistant professor in the Physician Assistant Studies program, as its vice president for 2020-2021. According to its website, the society strives to advance, protect, and promote the role of emergency medicine PAs through education, advocacy, collaboration and research. Previously, Bludorn has …

Physician Assistant Studies class of 2019

The Physician Assistant Studies program, housed in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, held its third commencement ceremony on December 14, 2019. Paul Chelminski, the program’s director, welcomed and thanked the graduates’ supporters, their families, and the commencement speaker, Karen Hills, longtime faculty and former program director of the Duke University Physician Assistant Program. “Always …

Alec Fields, a former fleet Marine force hospital corpsman, discovered a passion for medicine while in charge of the health and wellbeing of the Marines with whom he was stationed in Afghanistan. “I always knew I wanted to do something in medicine or in the medical field,” Fields said. “I loved the experience. It was …

Jason Hrdina, PA-C, has graduated from the UNC School of Medicine Teaching Scholars Program, which aims to enhance medical education at the University. He joins Kathryn “Katie” Sorensen, OTD, OTR/L, as part of this year’s scholar cohort.

The Physician Assistant Studies program at the UNC School of Medicine has named William A. Mills Jr. as its 2019 Preceptor of the Year. Mills spearheaded creation of the pediatric rotation for second-year PA students as part of their clinical experience; his involvement with the PA program began with its first cohort of students, accepted …

Seven students and two faculty with the Physician Assistant Studies program returned to Wise, Virginia, in an effort to provide health care through Remote Area Medical (RAM), a nonprofit mobile medical clinic. RAM delivers dental, vision, and medical care to underserved and uninsured populations at no cost. This year, RAM provided care to more than …

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently featured Paul Chelminski, the director of the Physician Assistant Studies program, in an article titled “Limits on Opioid Prescribing Leave Patients with Chronic Pain Vulnerable.” Paul Chelminski, MD, MPH, FACP, has served as program director since 2015.

Janelle Bludorn, PA-C and a clinical assistant professor in Physician Assistant Studies, has launched a podcast alongside the PA colleagues, titled “Airwaves and Educators.” The medical education podcast focuses on physician assistant education and features the voices of three co-hosts to provide insight into scenarios a PA educator might encounter. Bludorn said PA faculty are often trained …

The Daily Tar Heel, the student-run, award-winning newspaper at UNC-Chapel Hill, has featured Janelle Bludorn, PA-C and clinical assistant professor, in a recent article. The article highlights her accomplishments as the 2018 NC Physician Assistant of the Year, her work in point-of-care ultrasound, and as co-host of podcast “Airwaves and Educators.”

Author Archives: Elizabeth Poindexter

Veteran and Physician Assistant Studies Student Alec Fields Uses 3D Printer to Enhance PPE During COVID-19 Pandemic

Janelle Bludorn Published in Physician Assistant Education Association Journal

Physician Assistant Studies Welcomes Class of 2021 with White Coat Ceremony

Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants Names Janelle Bludorn Vice President

Physician Assistant Studies Celebrates Third Class of Graduates, Honors Faculty and 2019 Alumnae

Alec Fields: Veteran Discovers Passion for Medicine Through Service

Jason Hrdina, PA-C, Graduates from UNC School of Medicine Teaching Scholars Program

William A. Mills Jr., MD, MPH, Named Physician Assistant Studies Program Preceptor of the Year

Physician Assistant Studies Students Return to Wise, Virginia, to Serve Through Remote Area Medical Program

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) features Chelminski opioid research

Medical Education “Airwaves and Educators” Podcast Launches with Co-Host Janelle Bludorn, PA-C and Clinical Assistant Professor

Physician Assistant Studies Professor Janelle Bludorn, PA-C, Featured in The Daily Tar Heel