Education and Accreditation Committee

The Education and Accreditation Committee composed of volunteers from the IAPAE membership, works to promote the recognition and value-add of PA/PA Analogue educators and education programs globally. The Committee is developing accreditation standards, minimum competencies and a global framework for PA/PA Analogue programs

Committee Terms of Reference

  1. Serve as the advocacy arm of IAPAE for promoting PA/PA Analogue educators and education programs, leading to best practices of health science education and clinical training
  2. Serve as a resource for teaching, learning and training of PA/PA Analogue educational programs
  3. Serve as the global accreditation body for PA/PA Analogue educational programs
Committee Terms of Reference
Committee Objective

Committee Objectives

  1. Develop process to recommend and adopt a universal global term to unite all PA/PA Analogue practitioners, educators and students
  2. Develop framework for international curricula with minimum recommended competency standards
  3. Develop an International Accreditation Body
  4. Develop courses and workshops to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points

Chairperson and details

DeShana Collett
Chair of Advocacy and Education Committee

Profession: Physician Assistant, Previous Tenure Full Professor
Country: USA
Email: dagrav0@icloud.com

Dr. DeShana Collett is an accomplished academic leader and physician assistant with an extensive background in medical education, accreditation, and higher education leadership. A three-time alumna of the University of Kentucky, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Studies in Higher Education Concentration: Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, an M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, and a B.S. in Biology. During her 17 year tenure at the University of Kentucky, she served as a Tenured Full Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and adjunct in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program, as well as Chair of the University Senate Council.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Collett received numerous awards recognizing her excellence in education and leadership, including selection as an academic fellow in the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program, Women’s Executive Leadership Development 2020, Lyman T. Johnson, Torch of Excellence Award, and honors from the Pi Alpha National PA Honor Society. With over 23 years of clinical experience in family medicine, she has contributed significantly to teaching, research, and program development—mentoring and directing numerous master’s research projects and doctoral committees countless while leading initiatives in curriculum design, student performance assessment, and healthcare disparities research.

Dr. Collett is deeply engaged in professional service, currently serving as Immediate Past Chairwomen the National Board of Commissioners for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Her leadership journey also includes serving a second term as the Chair of the IAPAE Education and Advocacy Committee. Collett’s extensive background reflects her dedication to advancing higher education and physician assistant training.

DeShana Collett - IAPAE
Committee Terms of Reference

Committee Terms of Reference

  1. Serve as the advocacy arm of IAPAE for promoting PA/PA Analogue educators and education programs, leading to best practices of health science education and clinical training
  2. Serve as a resource for teaching, learning and training of PA/PA Analogue educational programs
  3. Serve as the global accreditation body for PA/PA Analogue educational programs
Committee Objective

Committee Objectives

  1. Develop process to recommend and adopt a universal global term to unite all PA/PA Analogue practitioners, educators and students
  2. Develop framework for international curricula with minimum recommended competency standards
  3. Develop an International Accreditation Body
  4. Develop courses and workshops to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points
DeShana Collett - IAPAE

Chairperson and details

DeShana Collett
IAPAE Chair of Advocacy and Education Committee

Profession: Physician Assistant, Previous Tenure Full Professor
Country: USA
Email: dagrav0@icloud.com

Dr. DeShana Collett is an accomplished academic leader and physician assistant with an extensive background in medical education, accreditation, and higher education leadership. A three-time alumna of the University of Kentucky, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Studies in Higher Education Concentration: Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, an M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, and a B.S. in Biology. During her 17 year tenure at the University of Kentucky, she served as a Tenured Full Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and adjunct in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program, as well as Chair of the University Senate Council.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Collett received numerous awards recognizing her excellence in education and leadership, including selection as an academic fellow in the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program, Women’s Executive Leadership Development 2020, Lyman T. Johnson, Torch of Excellence Award, and honors from the Pi Alpha National PA Honor Society. With over 23 years of clinical experience in family medicine, she has contributed significantly to teaching, research, and program development—mentoring and directing numerous master’s research projects and doctoral committees countless while leading initiatives in curriculum design, student performance assessment, and healthcare disparities research.

Dr. Collett is deeply engaged in professional service, currently serving as Immediate Past Chairwomen the National Board of Commissioners for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Her leadership journey also includes serving a second term as the Chair of the IAPAE Education and Advocacy Committee. Collett’s extensive background reflects her dedication to advancing higher education and physician assistant training.

Get involved in our mission, collaborate with educators from around the world, join the Academy and take part in our annual conference.