Constance Goldgar

Constance Goldgar, PA-C

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, French

Board Certification

  • National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Research Interests

  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Genetics/Genomics Education

Constance Goldgar, PA-C, MS is a Professor (Lecturer) in the Division of Physician Assistant Studies. She grew up in Chicago and graduated from Grinnell College with a BA in Biology. She attended the Child Associate Program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center where she received her MS in Child Health. She has worked clinically in the areas of pediatric gastroenterology, adult gastroenterology, and genetic epidemiology. Connie worked as academic coordinator at UPAP in 1993-1995. After a four year hiatus in France, she was recruited back to UPAP in 1999 to head up the new Masters of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) curriculum, which she headed for over 18 years, making its focus evidence-based medicine (EBM). This EBM curricular model has been shared with over 150 PA program faculty nationally and has been incorporated in varied forms into numerous PA programs.

For many years Connie has also been dedicated to advancing the medical genetics/ genomics curriculum development for PAs in particular and health professionals generally. This has occurred locally and nationally with a multidisciplinary team of educators through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), including development of PA genomic competencies and serving as an advisor for the Genetics/Genomics Competency Center (G2C2). This online repository of vetted genomics educational resources was created to provide materials for use in the health professional classroom as well as for self-directed learning in genetics and genomics by practicing health care professionals, including physician assistants, nurses, genetic counselors, pharmacists, and physicians. She was primary author and designer with a team of PAs and physician of a web-based PA interactive educational website sponsored by an NIH grant from the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG), in conjunction with AAPA. In 2010, she received the national Michael J. Scotti, Jr., MD Award from NCHPEG for her genetics educational endeavors.

Ms. Goldgar served several years on the Board of Directors of the national Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), including as President (2011-2013). She also was invited as the only PA to be involved with the national movement, Family Medicine for America’s Health (FMAH), as a core strategic task team member with the goal of addressing national workforce and education issues for family medicine and primary care teams. Ms. Goldgar has written and been funded with several grants, including Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants for the PA Program and has authored more than thirty peer-reviewed articles (17 as first author), and has been an invited speaker numerous times nationally including National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the Institute of Medicine.

Education History

Graduate Training University of Colorado
 MS
Undergraduate Grinnell College
 BA

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Berkowitz O, White Susan E, Goldgar C, Brisotti MF, Warner ML (2014). Defining Quality Improvement Education for Physician Assistants. J Physician Assist Educ, 25(4), 55-60.
  2. Barks P, Goldgar C (2012). Genomics in PA Practice: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. JAAPA, 25(2), 12-16.
  3. Goldgar C, Keahey D (2011). The evidence based medicine write-up: a tool for EBM skill development and patient-centered evidence application. J Physician Assist Educ, 22(3), 35-40.
  4. Calzone KA, Jerome-DEmilia B, Jenkins J, Goldgar C, Rackover M, Jackson J, Chen Y, Voss J, Feero WG (2011). Establishment of the Genetic/Genomic Competency Center for Education. J Nurs Scholarsh, 43(4), 351-358.
  5. Goldgar C (2011). Genomics in PA Practice: Neurofibromatosis, type 1 (von Recklinghausen disease). JAAPA, 24(3), 76-78.
  6. Keahey D, Goldgar C (2011). Evidence-based medicine databases: changing needs along the path from physician assistant student to clinician. J Physician Assist Educ, 22(1), 48-52. (Read full article)
  7. Goldgar C (01/01/2011). Neurofibromatosis, type 1 (von Recklinghausen disease). JAAPA, 24(3), 75-78.
  8. Goldgar C, Keahey D (2010). Demonstrating Evidence-Based Medicine Skills and Comprehension with a StudentCapstone Project. J Physician Assist Educ, 21(1), 34.
  9. Goldgar C (2010). The Scope and Limitations of the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA): How Can PAs Protect Patients and Families? JAAPA, 23(7), 56-59.
  10. Goldgar C (01/01/2010). GINA: What PAs need to know to protect patients and their families. JAAPA, 23(7), 56-59.
  11. Goldgar C, Rackover M (2009). Get ready for the brave new world of genetic medicine. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 22 (1): 60-62. JAAPA, 22(1), 60-62.
  12. Goldgar C, Keahey D, Houchins J (2009). Treatment Options for Acne Rosacea. Am Fam Physician, 80(5), 461-468.
  13. Keahey D, Goldgar C (2009). McAllen, Texas, Evidence-Based Medicine, and President Obama. J Physician Assist Educ, 20(3), 39-41.
  14. Goldgar C, Rackover M (2008). Recommendations for a Physician Assistant Medical Genetics curriculum. J Physician Assist Educ, 19(2), 30-36.
  15. Goldgar C (2008). Evidence-based Medicine Resources for Physician Assistant Faculty: The Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) Database. J Physician Assist Educ, 19(3), 37-41.
  16. Healy K, Engstrom J, Goldgar C, Lemke A, Matheson J, Rackover M, Sefton M, Wolpert C (06/01/2008). Clinical Genetics Continuing Education Needs Assessment: A Descriptive Study of a Convenience Sample of Illinois PAs. JAAPA, 21(6), 1.
  17. Keahey D, Goldgar C (2008). Evidence-based Medicine Resources for Physician Assistant Faculty: DynaMed. J Physician Assist Educ, 19(1), 43-46.
  18. Goldgar C, Keahey D (2007). Evidence for evidence-based medicine. J Physician Assist Educ, 18(4), 52-56.
  19. Rackover M, Goldgar C, Wolpert C, Healy K, Feiger J (2007). Establishing essential physician assistant clinical competencies guidelines for genetics and genomics. J Physician Assist Educ, 18(2), 48-49.
  20. Goldgar C, Rackover M (2007). Current status of genetics education and needs assessment of physician assistant programs: A nationwide survey. J Physician Assist Educ, 18(2), 54-60.
  21. Goldgar C (2007). EBM Feature Column: Review of “Tips for learning and teaching evidence-based medicine.”. J Physician Assist Educ, 17, 48-50.
  22. Goldgar C, Healy KM, Rackover MA (2006). Accreditation Pearls: How We Do It. Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms of Health and Disease. J Physician Assist Educ, 17(1), 43-47.
  23. Keahey D, Goldgar CM (2004). An Integrated Evidence Based Medicine Curriculum in Physician Assistant Training: From Undergraduate to Post Graduate. 15(2), 91-98.
  24. Goldgar CM (2004). Revival of the Evidence-based Medicine Feature: Share Your Evidence-based Medicine Pearls. 15(2), 138.

Review

  1. Keegan N, Goldgar C, Keahey D (2010). Colorectal cancer and computed tomography colonography: a new screening option? [Review]. J Physician Assist Educ, 21(1), 35-42. (Read full article)

Edited Book

  1. Houchins J, Keahey D, Goldgar C (Eds.) (November 2012). Cancer Biomarkers. In: Family Practice Essentials “Laboratory Test Update.”. (Edition No. 402). Leawood, KS: American Academy of Family Physicians.

Book Chapter

  1. Cochella S, Goldgar C (2008). Chickenpox (review). In Ebell M; Slawson D (Ed.), Evidence at Hand. Hoboken: Wiley InterScience.

Conference Proceedings

  1. Goldgar C, Harvey E, Wolpert C, Healy K, Clarke K, McInerney JD (2007). Genetic Medicine and Physician Assistants: Development of a Web-based, Case-Driven Educational Program. San Diego, CA: American Society for Human Genetics Annual Meeting.

Editorial

  1. Goldgar C (2013). Expanding the Role of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner. New England Journal of Medicine, 369(10), 982.