The American Academy of Physicians Assistants (AAPA), recognized Dr. Jennifer Eames, the founding director of the Physician’s Assistant Program here at Hardin-Simmons University, as a Distinguished Fellow.
Established by the AAPA in 2007, the Distinguished Fellow program was created to recognize Physician Assistants who had made significant and exceptional contributions to the profession. Physician Assistants are professionals, part of the interdisciplinary medical team, who diagnose illnesses and work to create pharmacotherapeutic and lifestyle treatment plans for patients, often functioning in the role of their primary healthcare provider.
Although the Distinguished Fellow program recognizes contributions in the form of exceptional learning and leadership, professional interaction and achievement, and community service, less than two percent of the entire AAPA membership are honored with such a distinction.
Dr. Eames is from Abilene and has been a Physician Assistant for 20 years. She graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, University of Nebraska and Nova Southeastern University.
Not only is Dr. Eames the founding director of HSU’s PA program, but she also served as the Vice-Chair at UTMB, and has practiced in the gastroenterology field, the infectious diseases field and family medicine. She is a published author, sits on the board of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and is a past president of the Texas Academy of PAs.
On multiple occasions, she led global medical mission trips with PA students where they provided medical screenings, patient education and in the words of Dr. Eames showed “God’s love through medicine,” to the various communities they visited.
“I am so honored to be named a Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA. This recognition is important for PAs who have worked hard and contributed to the profession for decades. Being a PA is the best career choice and I could not be happier!” said Eames.
Dr. Eames has and intends to continue diligently and prudently serving not only the PA community, but the medical community as a whole, providing healthcare both at home and abroad.
