Salt Lake City, UT — The Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences (DPAES) at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, is pleased to announce that Joanne Rolls, MEHP, MPAS, PA-C, a graduate of the Utah Physician Assistant Program UPAP), has been appointed as the inaugural Vice Chair of Education.
Professor Rolls brings a distinguished record of academic leadership, clinical excellence, and educational innovation to this new role. A nationally recognized educator and scholar, she currently serves as Professor (Clinical) in the Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences at the University of Utah and has held numerous leadership roles, including Director of Didactic Education for the Physician Assistant Program and Associate Director of the Master of Education in Health Professions program.
In her new capacity as Vice Chair of Education, Professor Rolls will serve as the Division’s liaison for educational initiatives across the Health Sciences Campus and collaborate to develop strategic educational programs addressing the evolving needs of the physician assistant workforce. “Professor Joanne Rolls has long been a driving force in advancing physician assistant education through her visionary leadership and deep commitment to inclusive, evidence- based teaching,” said Dr. Leigh Elrod, Chair of the Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences. “Her appointment as Vice Chair of Education is a natural progression of her impactful work, and I am confident she will continue to elevate our educational mission across the health sciences.”
Professor Rolls’ appointment reflects her longstanding commitment to advancing health professions education, promoting interprofessional collaboration, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers. Her leadership in curriculum development, cultural humility in assessment, and health education for all has earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Faculty Teacher of the Year awards and national recognition for her scholarly contributions.
Please join us in congratulating Professor Joanne Rolls on this well-deserved appointment. Her term as Vice Chair of Education will focus on expanding interprofessional collaboration, strengthening curricular innovation, and preparing future clinicians to meet the evolving needs of diverse patient populations.