Physician Assistant Program
College of Health Sciences
Bethel's physician assistant studies program graduates go on to be compassionate healthcare professionals who practice medicine within an ethical framework grounded in Christian principles.
Welcome
Welcome to the Bethel University Physician Assistant Program (BUPAP). We have developed an innovative and comprehensive curriculum that will maximize your learning experience as a physician assistant student. BUPAP will confer a Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies upon completion of the 27-month educational program. Our program consists of 12 months of didactic education and 15 months of clinical experience.
Information Sessions
The BUPAP hosts information sessions four times a year in March, May, June, and August.
All information sessions begin at 10:00 AM Central Time. These sessions are designed to present general information about the program and the physician assistant profession.
Questions and RSVPs should be sent to the Admissions Associate Director at paprogram@bethelu.edu.
Accreditation Status
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Bethel University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Bethel University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2024. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
For more information on Bethel University's accreditation, refer to the Accreditation page.
Student Society (SAAAPA)
The mission of the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (SAAAPA) is to foster the personal and professional development of physician assistant students, encourage educational excellence, and advocate for student and professional issues.
The purpose of the society shall be to serve as the official organization for the students to promote academic achievement, clinical excellence, the physician assistant as a member of the health care delivery team.
For more information about the PA Program Student Society, call (731) 407-7663.
Contact Us
The PA Program Office is located at the address below, adjacent to the Henry County Medical Center Diagnostic Center and across Tyson Avenue from the Henry County Medical Center in Paris, Tennessee, approximately 18 miles north of the Bethel University main campus in McKenzie, Tennessee.
PA Program
Paris Campus, Bethel University
302B Tyson Avenue, Paris, TN 38242
(731) 407-7650
paprogram@bethelu.edu
Meet the Faculty and Staff
Please feel free to reach out to any of our faculty or staff with questions. We're here to help.
See All Faculty and StaffChristy Lankford, BSN, MSPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Program
(731) 407-7664lankfordc@bethelu.eduCindy Laux, MC, MSPAS, PA-C
Clinical Director, Asst. Professor, Physician Assistant Program
(731) 407-7666lauxc@bethelu.eduDaniel Patrick Brown, MSPAS, PA-C
Asst. Professor, Physician Assistant Program
(731) 407-7656brownd@bethelu.eduEugene Platt, MSPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Program
(731) 407-7654platta@bethelu.eduJ.R. Allison, MD
Medical Director, Asst. Professor, Physician Assistant Program
(731) 407-7652allisonj@bethelu.eduKerri Smith, MSPAS, PA-C, ATC
Interim Program Director, Academic Director, Assoc. Professor; Physician Assistant Program
(731) 407-7663smithk@bethelu.edu
