Faculty Recognition

The junior students annually select adjunct faculty to receive the Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence from the wide range of healthcare providers that assist MEDEX: physician assistants, doctors, lab technicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists... read more.

MEDEX Director of Diversity and Senior Lecturer, Grace Landel, is Appointed ARC-PA Commissioner

Early in September 2009 Grace Landel was appointed an ARC-PA Commissioner for 2010-2012 following in the illustrious footsteps of MEDEX Senior Faculty Henry Stoll, MEDEX Medical Director Dr. Tim Evans and Dr. John Coombs, UWSOM.

Yakima Senior Faculty, Leisa Garrett, PA-C, Wins Awards and Recognition for Her Work as a
Ski Patroller

When Leisa Garrett is not teaching PA students at the MEDEX Yakima training site or spending time with her family she works as a Ski Patrol for the National Ski Patrol - Pacific Northwest Division. Over the last two year Leisa has earned recognition and won awards for her outstanding service in this field. Thanks for keeping us safe Leisa!

2008 - Pacific Northwest Division Outstanding Alpine Patroller
2008 - Northwest Region Outstanding Alpine Patroller
2007 - Hyak Ski Patrol Outstanding Alpine Patroller
2007 - National Ski Patrol National Appointment

Terry Scott , PA-C, Elected to Shoreline City Council

After a long campaign Terry Scott, graduate of Seattle Class 25, was elected to Shorline City Council in November 2007. During the swearing in ceramony held on January 7th, 2008 Terry was also appointed Deputy Mayor of Shoreline, WA.

Terry's political career began with leading MEDEX Seattle Class 25 as class president. As City Councilman, Terry hopes to provide progressive leadership with a fresh prospective. Terry's goals are to work collaboratively to build consensus and make sure projects and programs bring real benefit to our community, make fair, thoughtful decisions while remaining sensitive to the concerns and circumstances of people’s lives and, make it a priority to fund programs that support people.

We are proud to have Terry as part of the MEDEX team and wish him great success as City Councilman and Deputy Major. Congratulations Terry!

MEDEX Director, Ruth Ballweg, PA-C and Faculty member, F.J. (Gino) Gianola are recognized
as a Distinquished Fellow of the AAPA.

Ruth Ballweg, PA-C, MEDEX Northwest Director and faculty member F.J. (Gino) Gianola, PA were recently recognized as a Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Both Ruth Ballweg and Gino Gianola joined a select number of outstanding PAs who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as their communities, by their service to the physician assistant profession, their commitment to advancing health care for all people, and by their exemplary personal and professional development.

Ruth and Gino now have the privilege of using the professional designation of DFAAPA or
Distinguished Fellow, American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Congratulations!

MEDEX Didactic Faculty and Senior Lecturer, Henry Stoll is inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society

Henry Stoll, alumnus of the Drexel University Hahnemann PA Program and Senior MEDEX Northwest Facutly, has been inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants.

This distinctive honor represents significant scholastic acheivement, an excellence in research, publishing, community and professional service, and leadership activities. Henry's work as a Physician Assistant and faculty member has had a significant impact on the MEDEX Northwest PA Training Program and the PA profession itself.

Congratulations Henry!

MEDEX Director of Admissions Jennifer Johnston receives the 2007 MEDEX Northwest Leadership Award

MEDEX Administrator, Jennifer Johnston was honored by MEDEX Northwest, MEDEX Northwest Alumni, The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the University of Washington Medical Alumni Association at a reception on April 12th. Jennifer's award, The 2007 Northwest Leadership Award, recognized her 26 years or outstanding contribution to the Physician Assistant program and her community, specifically in her role as Director of Admissions.

Jennifer was hired by MEDEX in 1981 to coordinate the program's International Health Library. She later had multiple other administrative assignments in the program before being named as the Program Administrator in 1985. In this role she has worked with Program Director, Ruth Ballweg and the MEDEX Faculty and Staff to expand the program in length (1 year to 2 years), in number of students (24 students to 80+ students), in academic credential (certificate to bachelors degree), and in number of training sites (from 1 to 3).

In her role as administrator Jennifer has provided leadership as the program moved from the School of Public Health back to the School of Medicine. Her concerns for diversity and increased educational access have been demonstrated in her activities as Director of Admissions. Many graduates of the MEDEX program remember and value the encouragement that she provided to them in preparing for the program admissions. The preparation includes information sessions, individual long-term counseling, and assistance with the transition back to school. Jennifer's work has resulted in the programs national recognition for the recruitment, retention, and deployment of a diverse and clinically experienced student body including milirary veterans, Alaska community health aides, migrant farm workers, urban minorities, and international medical graduates.

Nationally, Jennifer has also served on numerous committees supporting PA education, including the group that developed the electronic application process for PA admission, CASPA. Currently Jennifer's assignments include a leadership role in the MEDEX Project to train Dental Health Therapists to improve oral health care for Alaska's tribal groups.

MEDEX Senior Faculty, Grace Landel, Appointed PA Representative for AAFP

Grace Landel was recently appointed as the American Academy of Physician Assistants Liaison to the American Academy of Family Physicians. She has been a family practice PA for 22 years. She graduated from Baylor College of Medicine and first practiced in a small town in Nebraska for 3 years. Since then, she has been in urban family practice. She currently is the Associate Director at MEDEX Northwest and also works part-time at the University of Washington Family Medicine Center, where the Family Medicine residency is located.

MEDEX Director Ruth Ballweg given PA of the Year Award for the Veteran'c Caucus 2006

MEDEX Director Ruth Ballweg has been given the PA of the Year Award for the Veteran’s Caucus 2006. Since her appointment as Program Director in 1985, Ruth has always been a strong advocate for veterans in the PA profession. The MEDEX Physician Assistant Training Program started with 14 veterans and now averages 25% veterans per graduating class. Ruth’s overwhelming commitment to the value of veterans has allowed those with military experience who do not have an extensive academic background to utilize their knowledge to become physician assistants and have the opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.

Ruth has been a champion for veterans over the past twenty-five years and if past performance predicts future action she will continue that commitment in the far future.

MEDEX Director Ruth Ballweg receives Outstanding Contributions to Rural Health Award

Ruth Ballweg PA-C, Program Director of MEDEX Northwest, received the Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Award at the Washington Rural Health Association Luncheon March 23, 2006.

Ruth has contributed in Washington State, nationally and internationally to rural health care and PA education. In Washington, she has created long-lasting relationships with Community Health Centers, rural clinics and hospitals, insurance companies and higher education institutions who participate in identifying potential Physician Assistant applicants and support them in their training, and who also provide employment for graduates. She consults with programs nationally to improve their rural initiatives and has established a network of community colleagues throughout the Northwest and western state who rely upon MEDEX to meet their health care provider needs. Ruth has also been involved in consulting with countries and territories such as Canada, England, Australia, and Micronesia about their need for rural providers and the potential for mid-level providers such as PAs to address their health care workforce concerns.

Ruth’s firm belief in the MEDEX Mission Statement has greatly effected the development and availability of health care in rural areas. As stated in her nomination for the Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Award, “She is a hidden gem who works hard to support all those things important to the Washington Rural Health Association.”

Congratulations, Ruth, on this extraordinary recognition!

Ruth Ballweg with Roger Rosenblatt, MD and Senator Patty Murray at the Washington Rural Health Association luncheon March 23, 2006 in Spokane, WA.

Alaska Public Health Assoc. recognizes MEDEX faculty member

John Riley was awarded the 2005 Barbara Berger Award by the Alaska Public Health Association. The Barbara Berger Award recognizes an individual who has made special, unique, or substantial contributions to Alaska in the field of public health. The award is given in honor of the memory of Barbara Berger, health educator and Past President of ALPHA.

APAP Master Faculty Award goes to MEDEX Medical Director, Tim Evans

APAP's Master Faculty Award was presented to MEDEX Northwest's Medical Director, Tim Evans, MD, PhD, FACP. Annually, MEDEX students from all three training sites identify Dr. Evans as an integral part of their training and recognize his vast knowledge and teaching talents. He is the recipient of MEDEX's own Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.