Johanna Greenberg PA-C, MPAS, assistant professor in the Division of Family & Community Medicine (DFCM), has received the 2024 William H. Marquardt Community Health Access Fellowship from the Physician Assistant (PA) Foundation. The fellowship is awarded to individuals who serve in mentoring and precepting roles and are committed to promoting accessible primary and preventive healthcare amongst underserved populations.
As a dedicated family medicine PA at the University of Utah’s Sugar House Health Center, Greenberg has a passion for improving healthcare for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and plays a pivotal role in advancing patient-centered care within the primary care setting. Serving as the co-director of the Supporting Patients through Access, Reach, and Continuity (SPARC) clinic, Greenberg collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to enhance the delivery of comprehensive care for patients with SUDs.
“PA Greenberg delivers high-quality care to a diverse patient population,” said Joanne Rolls, MPAS, MEHP, PA-C, associate professor in the Division of Physician Assistant Education & Sciences (DPAES). “Her work helps improve access, reduce barriers to care, and reduce stigma for this population while providing lifesaving treatments.”
In addition to this honor, Greenberg was also recognized by University of Utah Health as its nominee for the 2024 National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year Award for demonstrating excellence in quality care, research and innovation, accountability, education and advocacy, and mentorship and precepting.
PA Greenberg was flattered to be nominated. “Being recognized by fellow providers and collaborators is incredibly meaningful because I have so much respect for them,” she said.
For more than 10 years, Greenberg has precepted interdisciplinary clinical students. She is a highly sought-after preceptor due to her reputation for high-quality patient care and dedication to the profession. Driven by a desire to foster understanding and compassion, Greenberg aims to inspire current and future PAs to deliver patient-centered, non-stigmatizing care to those affected by SUDs.
“PA Greenberg is a key division member,” said DFCM Division Chief Bernadette Kiraly, MD. “I rely on her as a key participant in supporting our practice advancement in SUD care along with working with students and residents.”
In addition to precepting interdisciplinary clinical students and teaching didactically, PA Greenberg also participates in patient-centered research with a focus on improving outcomes for patients with SUDs in primary care.
Currently, Greenberg leads local provider recruiting for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study on Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement with Methadone Treatment (IMPOWR-MORE).
Greenberg said the nomination reaffirms her belief that her clinical interest in improving all aspects of care for patients with SUDs is valuable.
“My entire career has been here at the University of Utah. I trained here and was lucky to be hired out of my training to work in primary care. I really value the continued attention to patient-focused care that working here allows me to provide,” said Greenberg.