Program Director, School of Physician Assistant Studies

Classification Title:

Program Director & Clinical Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Job Description:

University of Florida, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Program Director, School of Physician Assistant Studies. University of Florida seeks an experienced professional to serve in this important role. The Program Director will play a central role in providing leadership and oversight of the academic, financial, and administrative activities of the school. This full-time, non-tenure track position at the rank of Clinical Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor will report to the Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs. The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities typically associated with a department chair, including strategic planning, faculty recruitment and development, and curriculum enhancement. The Program Director will sustain and further develop the education, clinical service, and research missions of the school, ensuring their integration with the overall strategic goals of the College of Medicine. This position requires a leader committed to fostering excellence in education, clinical care, research, and service. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide effective leadership in assisting the school in excelling in its missions of education, clinical care, research, and service.
• Oversee the academic, financial, and administrative operations of the school, ensuring alignment with the College of Medicine's strategic goals.
• Maintain and enhance the school's accreditation through ARC-PA and ensure compliance with all applicable accreditation standards and regulations.
• Mentor and retain high-quality faculty, promoting their scholarship and development, in coordination with the College of Medicine.
• Recruit a highly qualified student body and ensure they attain a high level of academic achievement.
• Foster an environment of collaboration and support among faculty, staff, and students within and external to the School.
• Increase active and simulation-based learning within the educational program by leveraging innovative technologies including AI to prepare students for the evolving health care landscape.
• Promote scholarly activities within the School.
• Support and supervise the hiring of professional, technical, and administrative staff.
• Oversee all administrative and financial affairs of the School, including managing revenue and expenses in consultation with the Office of Educational Affairs and the Dean's Office.
• Coordinate philanthropic activities through the College of Medicine’s Office of Advancement.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with UF Health System and other affiliates to optimize clinical rotation sites, ensuring students receive essential practical experience and promoting robust employment outcomes post-graduation.
• Act as a collaborative partner with UF Health to facilitate the integration of faculty into clinical practice, while also serving as a resource to support educational quality and enhance healthcare delivery.
• Represent the School to internal and external stakeholders, including accrediting bodies, national organizations such as AAPA and PAEA, healthcare partners, and the broader academic community, building and maintaining relationships to enhance the program’s reputation and resources.

About University of Florida:

University of Florida, ranked among the top ten public universities in the United States, is the state's most comprehensive institution, serving as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation. As a land-grant university with ties to every Florida county, UF addresses the distinct needs of the state while responding to global currents, making it an economic and ecological crossroads. Located in Gainesville, FL, and within sight of two coastlines, UF offers an unparalleled setting for discovery. The university's vibrant community of over 60,000 students benefits from more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and over $1 billion in annual research expenditures. With a 97% freshman retention rate, UF fosters an environment where students thrive both academically and socially, preparing them for successful careers and meaningful lives while confronting global challenges with optimism.

About the College of Medicine:

The College of Medicine, the largest of six colleges at the University of Florida Academic Health Center, opened in 1956 with a miss