Ashley VanZant, MSPAS, PA-C
Program Director
Professor VanZant is the Program Director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Ashley has over 15 years of experience as a PA. She is native to Southwest Missouri and performed her undergraduate and Physician Assistant education at Harding University. Ashley started her clinical career in Neurosurgery in 2008 and then transitioned to primary care. She has been working in primary care for 13 years, with the last 8 years in a local community health center. She is dedicated to the education of future PAs and instilling the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to be a great clinician. She is married and has three children. In her spare time, if she isn’t at a ballpark watching her kids’ sports events, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, visiting national parks, and spending time outdoors camping. Her newest experience has been coaching her youngest’s Pre-K soccer team. She is also active in her church and leads the teen girl small groups.
Kathryn L. Egly, MD, FACEP
Clinical Professor
Medical Director
Dr. Egly is a Clinical Professor and Medical Director in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She is a board-certified Emergency Physician with 25 years of full-time clinical experience. In addition to clinical medicine, she has always been enthusiastic about teaching. Dr. Egly attended Albany Medical College in her hometown of Albany, New York. Her residency was at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk. She served as Chief Resident in her final year at EVMS, and was named Outstanding Clinical Instructor during her tenure as attending physician. Dr. Egly has worked in many different practice settings from urban to rural, critical access to level 1 trauma center – in each one she has been a highly sought-after preceptor for students of all kinds. She has served on multiple hospital committees and held leadership roles including emergency department medical director. She also serves as medical director for ambulance services and paramedic teaching programs. Dr. Egly is an advocate for both patients and providers in the healthcare system with a deep personal and professional interest in provider wellness. In her free time, Dr. Egly is obsessed with horses, pottery and music. She has a horse farm, a pottery studio and plays violin (and fiddle) semiprofessionally. She also enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and two teenagers.
Kelsey Cozby, MMS, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Director of Didactic Education
Professor Cozby is an Assistant Clinical Professor and the Director of Didactic Education in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Kelsey has over 8 years of experience practicing as a PA. Kelsey graduated from UMKC’s PA program Inaugural class in 2016. This gives her a unique perspective as a faculty member starting a new PA program. In 2017 she completed the Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program through the University of Missouri and the MU School of Medicine. Kelsey worked in several emergency departments in the St. Louis area prior to moving to southwest Missouri. She has a special interest in point of care ultrasound and advanced procedures. In addition to serving as faculty with the Drury PA Program, she also works in the ER for CoxHealth. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her husband and sons and likes to travel anywhere she can hike or scuba dive. She also enjoys crafting and going to concerts.
Mark Kaiser, MSPAS, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Director of Admissions
Professor Kaiser is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Mark has 25 years of experience as a PA and has worked in various areas of healthcare including: Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care, Occupational Medicine, and Corporate Health. Mark is a native of Connecticut and prior to becoming a PA, he was a Mechanical Engineer for 10 years working primarily for medical device companies. Mark attended the Rutgers’ PA program and has worked in the New Jersey/New York City area, often being the first PA to be employed at that healthcare site. Mark enjoys the challenge of bringing new teaching methods into his lectures and has been with the program since it’s early accreditation stage. Mark enjoys traveling to other countries and has combined travel with his PA skills to serve on medical mission trips. This has taken him to a dozen countries on over 20 short-term trips as well as long term assignments in Mozambique and El Salvador. Mark enjoys the Ozarks for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and good barbeque.
Laresa (Reecie) Dern, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology and Physician Assistant Studies
Dr. Dern is the Director of the Anatomy Dissection Lab, Assistant Professor in the Biology Department, and Instructional Professor in the Physician Assistant Studies Department. She got her Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and completed a graduate anatomy teaching fellowship at High Point University. For Drury’s PA Program, she course directs gross anatomy with cadaver dissection as well as biostatistics and epidemiology. Dr. Dern was drawn to Drury because of the genuine commitment of faculty and staff to education and the small student-to-instructor ratios that allow for meaningful learning relationships. In addition to her interest in anatomy and biostatistics, Dr. Dern is also a dental anthropologist and bioarcheologist whose research focuses on understanding human dental variation, particularly in medieval and early modern Hungary. On campus, she runs the new dental histology lab where undergraduate students can investigate variations in human and nonhuman dental microstructures. Her previous research has taken her to Peru, Croatia, and Hungary and allowed her to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at international anthropology conferences. Dr. Dern is originally from Colorado and loves exploring Springfield, spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling.
Missy Abramovitz, MS, PA-C, CAQ-HM
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Abramovitz is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Missy has nearly 20 years of healthcare experience; most of that being in the Southwest MO area. Missy graduated from Missouri State University’s Physician Assistant Studies Program here in Springfield, MO in December 2010 and has been practicing as a fulltime Hospitalist PA ever since. In 2019, Missy earned her Certificate of Added Qualification in Hospital Medicine. Concurrent to her hospital medicine practice, Missy spent one year on the inpatient palliative care team.
Missy has a strong passion for PA leadership. Missy served on the Executive Committee of her Hospitalist group where she acted as a mentor and physician-APP liaison. Missy wrote and implemented a robust, intensive onboarding program for all newly hired Hospitalist Advanced Practice Providers. Missy was elected by her peers to be the first ever Advanced Practice Provider to serve on the Medical Executive Committee. She is a graduate of the CoxHealth-Drury Leadership Development Program. Missy is a founding member of the Cox Medical Group Advanced Practice Provider Advisory Board, and was elected as second ever Chairperson in 2020 – a position which she held until her transition into PA Education. A few highlights of her tenure as chairperson include organizing the inaugural system-wide APP Summit; developing a Mentorship Program for new APP hires; and planning the first ever CoxHealth sponsored CME symposium which is now a yearly event. Missy was the first APP to be appointed to the APP Strategic Activity Steering Committee and named Education and Onboarding Committee Chairperson where she worked alongside hospital administration developing and optimizing system-wide orientation activities and creating outlined curriculum for service line and department level Transition to Practice Programs.
Missy met her husband Gary in 2002 when they were both student athletes at a small, private university which reminds her so much of Drury. Missy and Gary have 2 boys and 1 dog. Above all, Missy enjoys spending time with her family. Most of her time outside of work if spent at her sons’ sporting events and activities; but she also enjoys reading and being outdoors (preferably on or around water).
Roberto Canales, DHSc, MS, PA-C
Clinical Professor
Dr. Roberto Canales is a clinical professor who serves as a principal (part-time) faculty member. Prior to joining the Drury University PA Program, he had recently retired as a full professor after a 30-year career in PA education. As a PA educator, he as been an admission coordinator, recruitment coordinator, didactic coordinator, associate program director and program director. He also has leadership experiences with PAEA, NCCPA, and as an associate dean for faculty.
Dr. Canales began his PA career with a BS in PA Studies in 1989, followed by a masters in health education and promotion in 1998, and finally a doctorate of health science in 2012. His clinical PA experiences include correctional medicine (Federal Bureau of Prisons, Texas Department of Criminal Justice), university healthcare (University of Texas Medical Branch – Infectious Division) and inner-city primary care (The Kitchen Medical Clinic). In terms of his teaching approach, he enjoys small group learning, and encourages an open dialogue when lecturing.
Dr. Canales has lived in the Springfield area for over two decades. Prior to moving to the area, he spent many years in Galveston, Texas, and grew up in the Rio Grande Valley in deep south Texas near South Padre Island. When not working with the Program, he enjoys all things outdoors including hiking, camping, gardening, and staying physically active.
Brett Clayton, MHS, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Clayton is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies with over 16 years experience in orthopedic surgery, including orthopedic spine, total joint arthroplasty, general orthopedics, sports medicine, and orthopedic oncology. Brett moved to Missouri from Las Vegas, Nevada in 2011 to work for the US Army as a Civilian PA at Fort Leonard Wood, electing to stay in Missouri and continue working in orthopedic surgery at Phelps Health in Rolla. He is passionate about patient education and empowerment through patient-directed care, and the education of PA students to prepare them with the same values.
Brett grew up internationally in US Embassy communities, including living over 10 years in Germany and graduating high school in Tel Aviv, Israel. He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah for his Bachelor of Science in Biology, and graduated with his PA Master’s Degree at the Hahnemann PA Program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2008.
In his free time Brett volunteers extensively with his church and loves spending time with his wife and their 6 children. They love to travel, especially to historic sites, and love family movie and game nights
Holly Dean, MSPA, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Dean is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She has over 19 years of experience in Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Spine Surgery, Urgent Care, General Surgery, General Orthopedic Surgery, Total Joint Replacement Surgery, and Weight Loss. She has practiced medicine in and around Southwest Missouri as well as Sioux Falls, South Dakota since graduating from Des Moines University’s PA Program in 2005. Holly was born and raised in Coffeyville, Kansas and graduated from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas with a Bachelor of Science. Holly’s favorite things are spending time with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time outdoors, watching her children’s sporting events, spending time with family and friends.
Nicole Cologna
Clinical Education Coordinator
Nicole Cologna is the Clinical Education Coordinator for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Nicole has six years of experience as a Student Coordinator-Senior with Mercy Hospital’s Clinical Education department. She was with Mercy Hospital for 15 years and in the Banking industry for 18 years. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Evangel University. Nicole resides in Springfield with her husband and teenage daughter. In her free time, she loves reading, enjoying the outdoors, and traveling.
Amanda Bartlett, MSPAS, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Bartlett, Assistant Clinical Director has nearly 20 years of experience as a PA. She received her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies at Missouri State University and then spent nearly a decade in Cardiology and eight years in Anesthesia. For the past several years she has transitioned her clinical knowledge and expertise to working with the elderly in Geriatrics/ nursing home care which has proven to be one of her most rewarding opportunities as a PA.
Amanda has spent entire career dedicated to education of PA students and improving the PA practice environment in Missouri through frequent preceptorship, involvement in MSU PA program advisory board and extensive involvement in Missouri Academy of Physician Assistants where she served as Secretary, CME Co-Chair and Vice President. She has also served on the American Academy of Physician Assistants House of Delegates for greater than 8 years during which she was involved in creating large initiatives of change affecting PA opportunities nationally. She brings this experience and knowledge to Drury in the hopes to instill in her students the skills, knowledge and professionalism needed to become highly valuable peers in the future.
Amanda has lived in Springfield since 1998 where she began her educational journey at Drury University which has always held a very special place in her heart. She is married to Dustin who is also a Physician Assistant and they have two children. In her spare time Amanda volunteers at the theater and owns a horse boarding business.
Adam Comer, MS
Program Administrator
Adam Comer is the Program Administrator in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. He holds a Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Memphis and has over four years of experience in higher education, serving in various student-focused roles. He was born and raised in the small town of Parsons, TN, before he moved to Memphis to attend The University of Memphis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from there as well in Political Science. Adam moved to Springfield in January of 2025 with his husband, Andrew, and their two dogs, Luke and Leia, and cat, Jabba. He enjoys spending times outdoors, exploring the Ozarks with Andrew, and he is a huge Star Wars fan (as if the pet names didn’t give it away). He is also an avid St. Louis Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Memphis Grizzlies fan.
Ashley VanZant, MSPAS, PA-C
Program Director
Professor VanZant is the Program Director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Ashley has over 15 years of experience as a PA. She is native to Southwest Missouri and performed her undergraduate and Physician Assistant education at Harding University. Ashley started her clinical career in Neurosurgery in 2008 and then transitioned to primary care. She has been working in primary care for 13 years, with the last 8 years in a local community health center. She is dedicated to the education of future PAs and instilling the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to be a great clinician. She is married and has three children. In her spare time, if she isn’t at a ballpark watching her kids’ sports events, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, visiting national parks, and spending time outdoors camping. Her newest experience has been coaching her youngest’s Pre-K soccer team. She is also active in her church and leads the teen girl small groups.
Kathryn L. Egly, MD, FACEP
Clinical Professor
Medical Director
Dr. Egly is a Clinical Professor and Medical Director in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She is a board-certified Emergency Physician with 25 years of full-time clinical experience. In addition to clinical medicine, she has always been enthusiastic about teaching. Dr. Egly attended Albany Medical College in her hometown of Albany, New York. Her residency was at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk. She served as Chief Resident in her final year at EVMS, and was named Outstanding Clinical Instructor during her tenure as attending physician. Dr. Egly has worked in many different practice settings from urban to rural, critical access to level 1 trauma center – in each one she has been a highly sought-after preceptor for students of all kinds. She has served on multiple hospital committees and held leadership roles including emergency department medical director. She also serves as medical director for ambulance services and paramedic teaching programs. Dr. Egly is an advocate for both patients and providers in the healthcare system with a deep personal and professional interest in provider wellness. In her free time, Dr. Egly is obsessed with horses, pottery and music. She has a horse farm, a pottery studio and plays violin (and fiddle) semiprofessionally. She also enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and two teenagers.
Kelsey Cozby, MMS, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Director of Didactic Education
Professor Cozby is an Assistant Clinical Professor and the Director of Didactic Education in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Kelsey has over 8 years of experience practicing as a PA. Kelsey graduated from UMKC’s PA program Inaugural class in 2016. This gives her a unique perspective as a faculty member starting a new PA program. In 2017 she completed the Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program through the University of Missouri and the MU School of Medicine. Kelsey worked in several emergency departments in the St. Louis area prior to moving to southwest Missouri. She has a special interest in point of care ultrasound and advanced procedures. In addition to serving as faculty with the Drury PA Program, she also works in the ER for CoxHealth. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her husband and sons and likes to travel anywhere she can hike or scuba dive. She also enjoys crafting and going to concerts.
Mark Kaiser, MSPAS, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Director of Admissions
Professor Kaiser is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Mark has 25 years of experience as a PA and has worked in various areas of healthcare including: Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care, Occupational Medicine, and Corporate Health. Mark is a native of Connecticut and prior to becoming a PA, he was a Mechanical Engineer for 10 years working primarily for medical device companies. Mark attended the Rutgers’ PA program and has worked in the New Jersey/New York City area, often being the first PA to be employed at that healthcare site. Mark enjoys the challenge of bringing new teaching methods into his lectures and has been with the program since it’s early accreditation stage. Mark enjoys traveling to other countries and has combined travel with his PA skills to serve on medical mission trips. This has taken him to a dozen countries on over 20 short-term trips as well as long term assignments in Mozambique and El Salvador. Mark enjoys the Ozarks for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and good barbeque.
Laresa (Reecie) Dern, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology and Physician Assistant Studies
Dr. Dern is the Director of the Anatomy Dissection Lab, Assistant Professor in the Biology Department, and Instructional Professor in the Physician Assistant Studies Department. She got her Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and completed a graduate anatomy teaching fellowship at High Point University. For Drury’s PA Program, she course directs gross anatomy with cadaver dissection as well as biostatistics and epidemiology. Dr. Dern was drawn to Drury because of the genuine commitment of faculty and staff to education and the small student-to-instructor ratios that allow for meaningful learning relationships. In addition to her interest in anatomy and biostatistics, Dr. Dern is also a dental anthropologist and bioarcheologist whose research focuses on understanding human dental variation, particularly in medieval and early modern Hungary. On campus, she runs the new dental histology lab where undergraduate students can investigate variations in human and nonhuman dental microstructures. Her previous research has taken her to Peru, Croatia, and Hungary and allowed her to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at international anthropology conferences. Dr. Dern is originally from Colorado and loves exploring Springfield, spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling.
Missy Abramovitz, MS, PA-C, CAQ-HM
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Abramovitz is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Missy has nearly 20 years of healthcare experience; most of that being in the Southwest MO area. Missy graduated from Missouri State University’s Physician Assistant Studies Program here in Springfield, MO in December 2010 and has been practicing as a fulltime Hospitalist PA ever since. In 2019, Missy earned her Certificate of Added Qualification in Hospital Medicine. Concurrent to her hospital medicine practice, Missy spent one year on the inpatient palliative care team.
Missy has a strong passion for PA leadership. Missy served on the Executive Committee of her Hospitalist group where she acted as a mentor and physician-APP liaison. Missy wrote and implemented a robust, intensive onboarding program for all newly hired Hospitalist Advanced Practice Providers. Missy was elected by her peers to be the first ever Advanced Practice Provider to serve on the Medical Executive Committee. She is a graduate of the CoxHealth-Drury Leadership Development Program. Missy is a founding member of the Cox Medical Group Advanced Practice Provider Advisory Board, and was elected as second ever Chairperson in 2020 – a position which she held until her transition into PA Education. A few highlights of her tenure as chairperson include organizing the inaugural system-wide APP Summit; developing a Mentorship Program for new APP hires; and planning the first ever CoxHealth sponsored CME symposium which is now a yearly event. Missy was the first APP to be appointed to the APP Strategic Activity Steering Committee and named Education and Onboarding Committee Chairperson where she worked alongside hospital administration developing and optimizing system-wide orientation activities and creating outlined curriculum for service line and department level Transition to Practice Programs.
Missy met her husband Gary in 2002 when they were both student athletes at a small, private university which reminds her so much of Drury. Missy and Gary have 2 boys and 1 dog. Above all, Missy enjoys spending time with her family. Most of her time outside of work if spent at her sons’ sporting events and activities; but she also enjoys reading and being outdoors (preferably on or around water).
Roberto Canales, DHSc, MS, PA-C
Clinical Professor
Dr. Roberto Canales is a clinical professor who serves as a principal (part-time) faculty member. Prior to joining the Drury University PA Program, he had recently retired as a full professor after a 30-year career in PA education. As a PA educator, he as been an admission coordinator, recruitment coordinator, didactic coordinator, associate program director and program director. He also has leadership experiences with PAEA, NCCPA, and as an associate dean for faculty.
Dr. Canales began his PA career with a BS in PA Studies in 1989, followed by a masters in health education and promotion in 1998, and finally a doctorate of health science in 2012. His clinical PA experiences include correctional medicine (Federal Bureau of Prisons, Texas Department of Criminal Justice), university healthcare (University of Texas Medical Branch – Infectious Division) and inner-city primary care (The Kitchen Medical Clinic). In terms of his teaching approach, he enjoys small group learning, and encourages an open dialogue when lecturing.
Dr. Canales has lived in the Springfield area for over two decades. Prior to moving to the area, he spent many years in Galveston, Texas, and grew up in the Rio Grande Valley in deep south Texas near South Padre Island. When not working with the Program, he enjoys all things outdoors including hiking, camping, gardening, and staying physically active.
Brett Clayton, MHS, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Clayton is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies with over 16 years experience in orthopedic surgery, including orthopedic spine, total joint arthroplasty, general orthopedics, sports medicine, and orthopedic oncology. Brett moved to Missouri from Las Vegas, Nevada in 2011 to work for the US Army as a Civilian PA at Fort Leonard Wood, electing to stay in Missouri and continue working in orthopedic surgery at Phelps Health in Rolla. He is passionate about patient education and empowerment through patient-directed care, and the education of PA students to prepare them with the same values.
Brett grew up internationally in US Embassy communities, including living over 10 years in Germany and graduating high school in Tel Aviv, Israel. He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah for his Bachelor of Science in Biology, and graduated with his PA Master’s Degree at the Hahnemann PA Program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2008.
In his free time Brett volunteers extensively with his church and loves spending time with his wife and their 6 children. They love to travel, especially to historic sites, and love family movie and game nights
Holly Dean, MSPA, PA-C
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Dean is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She has over 19 years of experience in Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Spine Surgery, Urgent Care, General Surgery, General Orthopedic Surgery, Total Joint Replacement Surgery, and Weight Loss. She has practiced medicine in and around Southwest Missouri as well as Sioux Falls, South Dakota since graduating from Des Moines University’s PA Program in 2005. Holly was born and raised in Coffeyville, Kansas and graduated from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas with a Bachelor of Science. Holly’s favorite things are spending time with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time outdoors, watching her children’s sporting events, spending time with family and friends.
Nicole Cologna
Clinical Education Coordinator
Nicole Cologna is the Clinical Education Coordinator for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Nicole has six years of experience as a Student Coordinator-Senior with Mercy Hospital’s Clinical Education department. She was with Mercy Hospital for 15 years and in the Banking industry for 18 years. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Evangel University. Nicole resides in Springfield with her husband and teenage daughter. In her free time, she loves reading, enjoying the outdoors, and traveling.
Amanda Bartlett, MSPAS, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education
Assistant Clinical Professor
Professor Bartlett, Assistant Clinical Director has nearly 20 years of experience as a PA. She received her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies at Missouri State University and then spent nearly a decade in Cardiology and eight years in Anesthesia. For the past several years she has transitioned her clinical knowledge and expertise to working with the elderly in Geriatrics/ nursing home care which has proven to be one of her most rewarding opportunities as a PA.
Amanda has spent entire career dedicated to education of PA students and improving the PA practice environment in Missouri through frequent preceptorship, involvement in MSU PA program advisory board and extensive involvement in Missouri Academy of Physician Assistants where she served as Secretary, CME Co-Chair and Vice President. She has also served on the American Academy of Physician Assistants House of Delegates for greater than 8 years during which she was involved in creating large initiatives of change affecting PA opportunities nationally. She brings this experience and knowledge to Drury in the hopes to instill in her students the skills, knowledge and professionalism needed to become highly valuable peers in the future.
Amanda has lived in Springfield since 1998 where she began her educational journey at Drury University which has always held a very special place in her heart. She is married to Dustin who is also a Physician Assistant and they have two children. In her spare time Amanda volunteers at the theater and owns a horse boarding business.
Adam Comer, MS
Program Administrator
Adam Comer is the Program Administrator in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. He holds a Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Memphis and has over four years of experience in higher education, serving in various student-focused roles. He was born and raised in the small town of Parsons, TN, before he moved to Memphis to attend The University of Memphis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from there as well in Political Science. Adam moved to Springfield in January of 2025 with his husband, Andrew, and their two dogs, Luke and Leia, and cat, Jabba. He enjoys spending times outdoors, exploring the Ozarks with Andrew, and he is a huge Star Wars fan (as if the pet names didn’t give it away). He is also an avid St. Louis Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Memphis Grizzlies fan.
Drury University is fully committed to upholding and advancing an environment where every member of our community will treat each other with dignity and respect. We recognize that diverse experiences enrich our institution and all who pass through it. We honor, welcome, and respect all, no matter the age, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, socio-economic status, veteran status, ability, religion, or political beliefs. Inclusion is how we engage these differences to create a welcoming community and expand opportunities for collaboration. Educational and workplace equity refers to providing opportunities that enable every person to be successful as they work and learn at Drury.
The Drury University Physician Assistant Program aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. We are committed to establishing an environment that invites, welcomes, and celebrates everyones diverse backgrounds and talents, and the contributions these attributes lend to our culture. The Drury University PA program is a safe and welcoming community for faculty, staff, preceptors, applicants, and students, and we seek to create a culture that values the robust exchange of ideas that enriches the learning environment and experience
Because our desire is to foster a culture of belonging, we are committed to ensuring all faculty, staff, and students feel they are part of an environment that values their personhood and the many different aspects that make them unique. We will celebrate what each person brings to the learning environment that makes us all better and challenges us to be our best selves.u00a0 To ensure we are actively pursuing an inclusive culture, we welcome constructive criticism that allows us to increase awareness of our natural biases, and forces us to assess our speech, actions, and activities, and commit to identifying and mitigating bias.
Our mission is to educate students to become physician assistants who are innovative leaders in the profession, practice evidence-based medicine, and are dedicated to facilitating healthy futures for the residents of southwest Missouri and beyond.
The Drury University Physician Assistant Program seeks to support each student’s unique style of learning within an accelerated, highly structured, and intense educational environment. We strive to be student centered and to provide opportunities for growth and collaboration with faculty. Our educational environment as reciprocal where all who participate bring experience and knowledge to the learning space. We endeavor to model and instill in our students leadership qualities and the values of professionalism required of a practicing physician assistant. We are committed to rigorous self-examination and continuous enhancement of the student experience.
To provide excellence in medical education through innovative educational strategies that produces competent graduates who are leaders that practice evidence-based and preventive medicine to improve access to health care in southwest Missouri and beyond.
The Drury University Physician Assistant Program will strive to instill these core values in students through our curriculum and training:
DUPAP is housed in the Mercy Science Center on the beautiful Springfield, Missouri, Drury University campus. The space is newly remodeled featuring a large windowed classroom, skills lab, cadaver lab, student lounge, and study spaces. The Drury campus has additional resources such as a library, fitness center, health center, dining facilities, and additional study spaces.