Physician Assistant

Mission Statement

The mission of the South University Physician Assistant (MSPA) is to educate a diverse student population and prepare graduates to practice the art and science of medicine while providing high-quality, equitable, and inclusive patient-centered healthcare.

Vision Statement

The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) degree program strives to provide an educational environment that empowers students to practice evidence-based, patient-centered medical care. With an emphasis on increasing access to care, reducing health disparities, and engaging in community outreach, we aim to provide inclusive educational experiences for students, faculty, and staff. As future clinical leaders, the program’s focus is to graduate physician assistants who will promote cultural humility and patient advocacy.

Master of Science Physician Assistant Degree Program Technical Standards

In order to ensure that patients receive the best medical care possible, the faculty of the South University Physician Assistant program has identified certain skills and professional behaviors that are essential for successful progression of physician assistant students in the program. A student must possess skills and behaviors at a level of capability to perform a variety of duties required of a physician assistant as a health care professional.

Students with disabilities who can perform these skills and successfully execute professional behavior either unassisted, with dependable use of assistive devices, or by employing other reasonable accommodations are eligible to apply for enrollment in the program. Minimum performance standards include critical thinking, communication skills, observation skills, motor skills, and interpersonal abilities. Interested parties may contact the Physician Assistant program office for additional information about South University performance standards. These skills and behaviors include, but are not limited to;

Critical Thinking: A student must possess the intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty. The ability to solve problems, a skill that is critical to the practice of medicine, requires the intellectual abilities of measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Students  must be able to perform demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.

Communication Skills: A student should also be able to speak, to hear, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and to perceive nonverbal communications. The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written forms.

Observation Skills: The student must be able to observe a patient accurately, both at a distance and in close proximity. This ability requires the functional use of vision and somatic sensation.

Motor Skills: A student should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic techniques. A student should be able to execute movements reasonably required to move from area to area, maneuver in small spaces, calibrate and use large and small equipment, position and move patients, and provide patients with general care and emergency treatment.

Interpersonal Abilities: A student for the Physician Assistant program must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities required for the diagnosis and care of patients and the development of professionalism through mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, families, and colleagues.

John J. Burns, III, MMSc, PA-C
Program Director and Associate Professor

 Mr. Burns is a native of Savannah, Georgia. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Medical Science from Emory University.

Mr. Burns has 18 years of experience as a practicing physician assistant in the fields of family medicine and endocrinology. He joined the faculty of the South University-Savannah Physician Assistant program in 2001.

Ms. Burns is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants. He has held positions with PAEA as Lead Faculty for both the Program Directors Workshop and Admissions Workshop.  He also previously served as a committee member for the CASPA Advisory Committee.

Mr. Burns was selected as the program’s Didactic Teacher of the Year for 2024. He received 2014 Health Care Heroes Award from the Georgia Medical Society, the 2005 GAPA Faculty Achievement Award and the 2004 South University Postgraduate Faculty of the Year Award.

He resides in Savannah with his wife and their two children.  In his free time, he remains very involved in his church and also enjoys reading, snow skiing, travelling, and playing golf.  

 

Ray Rudolph, M.D., MPH, FACS
Medical Director and Assistant Professor

Raised in Houston, Texas, Dr. Rudolph served in the Army completing his studies as a licensed practical nurse at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.  He worked as a chief line medic in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 where he received the Bronze Star for valor. After eight years as an LPN, he entered the Physician Assistant Program at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, graduating in 1976. His first assignment as a Physician Assistant brought him to South Dakota to serve the Sioux Nation at Lower Brule for four years. Dr. Rudolph then had the opportunity to attend the University of South Dakota, where he earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees. He completed his surgical residency training at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia where he joined the faculty upon graduation in 1991. Dr. Rudolph received his master’s degree in public health from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah in 2004.

In 2001, he and Dr. Paula DeNitto established the Center for Breast Care, the first practice in the region dedicated exclusively to care of the women with breast problems. He was nominated for the Association of Medical Colleges Humanism in Medicine Award in 2008, received the Alumni Achievement Award, Baylor College of Medicine, Physician Assistant Program in 2009, was named Surgical Oncologist of the Year 2010, National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer; Savannah Coalition, and earned the Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding Performance Award 2009 from the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer. 

He has done volunteer medical work in Ecuador in the area of tuberculosis and has shared breast surgical techniques in China. Dr. Rudolph is an assistant professor of surgery at both the Georgia Regents University (Medical College of Georgia) and Mercer University School of Medicine. Before becoming the Medical Director of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program at South University, he acted as a clinical assistant professor of surgery in the program since 2005. Although Dr. Rudolph retired from the active practice of surgery in late 2014, he remains a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Breast Surgery.  

He is married to Barbara, a nurse practitioner and wife of 40 years and has two children and four grandchildren. 

 

Liza Bashambu, MSPA, PA-C
Director of Didactic Education and Assistant Professor

Mrs. Bashambu is a native of northeast Ohio. She began her career in the medical field in 2010 as a Respiratory Therapist, gaining experience in neonatal and pediatric critical care. Prior to matriculation at South University, Mrs. Bashambu obtained a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Boise State University. She is a 2018 graduate of South University Savannah’s Physician Assistant Program and holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant. She worked in Allergy/Immunology prior to returning to her alma mater as a faculty member.

Mrs. Bashambu is passionate about education and takes an interest in program admissions, pulmonology, arterial blood gas analysis, allergy/immunology, and behavioral medicine. She facilitates standardized patient events for the students each quarter, is the chair of the South University Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee and serves on the Physician Assistant Education Association Exam Development Board for the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine End of Rotation Examinations.

She lives in Savannah with her husband and two children.

 

Mallory Capps, MSPA, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor

Mrs. Capps is a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. She completed an accelerated program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, completing her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in five years. She began her medical career working in Urgent Care in her hometown before moving to Savannah, Georgia in 2018. Mrs. Capps continued to work in Urgent Care as a front-line worker through the COVID-19 pandemic. After six years of clinical practice, she joined the faculty at South University in July 2023. She is passionate about teaching women's health, medical decision making, and procedural skills.
 
Mrs. Capps is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Georgia Association for Physician Assistants. She currently lives in Richmond Hill, Georgia with her husband and son. Her husband is also a Physician Assistant. She enjoys gardening, attending church, and spoiling her golden retriever, Ollie.

 

Briana Evans, MSPA, PA-C
Chair of Admissions and Assistant Professor

Briana Evans is a native of Savannah, Georgia. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a BS in Exercise Science. She earned a Masters in Medical Science from the Physician Assistant Program at Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, Florida where she finished with Highest Honors. She began her medical career in 2020 working in outpatient internal medicine where she enjoys the variety of patients and wide range of care, she is able to provide. Briana has always had a passion for teaching and enjoyed precepting students during her time in the clinic. She joined South University’s PA program as full-time faculty in 2023 and continues to see patients in clinic once a week. Her clinical interests include preventative medicine, women’s health, endocrinology, geriatrics, physical exam technique and procedures. 

Briana is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Georgia Association for Physician Assistants. She is happy to be living back in her hometown, close to family. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have one son. She enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with family. 

 

Marcy King, MSPA, PA-C
Assistant Director of Didactic Education and Assistant Professor

Mrs. King is a native of Southern Illinois.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences with a Minor in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2012.  She began her medical career working in Hematology/Oncology in Southern Illinois before moving to Savannah, GA in 2014.  She then graduated South University’s, Savannah(location)’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program in 2016 and earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant. Her graduation honors included the Academic Achievement Award. After graduation, her clinical career began at an Internal Medicine private practice in the Savannah area where she practiced for 6.5 years.  While practicing in Internal Medicine, she precepted multiple PA students and enjoyed taking part in their education.  She subsequently joined the faculty at South University in March of 2022.

Mrs. King is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association.  Her clinical interests include many subtypes of Internal Medicine, as well as women’s health and physical diagnosis.  She currently lives in Savannah, GA with her husband and young daughter. Her hobbies include boating, traveling, and cooking.

 

Nartaka H. Harden (Walls), MPH
Assistant Director of Clinical Education, Instructor

Mrs. Harden is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. An Army veteran, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Saint Leo University. She worked as a medical assistant in various private practice settings throughout Savannah, GA to include family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, and hematology/oncology.

Mrs. Harden joined South University in 2017 as the Clinical Coordinator. In 2020, she earned a Master Degree of Public Health with Honors at South University, Savannah, GA. In 2022, she was promoted to Clinical Manager of College of Health Professions where she worked with several programs assisting with site development, training clinical team members, and contract support. In 2024, she returned back to the Physician Assistant Program- Savannah Campus as the Assistant Director of Clinical Education.

She is passionate about education. She enjoys teaching and working directly with students as they progress through the PA program. She has received numerous accolades and recognition for her dedication and commitment to students and the clinical program.

Mrs. Harden lives in Savannah with family and two dogs. She enjoys cooking and traveling with her family.

 

John Balser, DMsc, PA-C
Assistant Professor, Principal Faculty

Mr. Balser has lived in the Savannah area since 2000, but is well traveled throughout the United States. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma, after completing the United States Army Physician Assistant Program in 1990. He has also earned a Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies in Orthopedic Surgery from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College and a Doctorate of Medical Science with an emphasis in PA Education from the University of Lynchburg.

Mr. Balser is a 40-year Army veteran and retired at nearby Fort Stewart in 2021. During his Army career, he worked in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Orthopedics, General Surgery, and EENT Surgery, both state-side and during multiple operational deployments. He joined the South University, Savannah, PA Program in 2021.  

Mr. Balser lives in Richmond Hill, with his wife of 38 years, and their dog. His children currently live in Richmond, Virginia and Gaithersburg, Maryland, and are an eclectic blend of Arts and Science, which makes for great conversations at dinner.  

 

Dawn O'Brien, MSPA, PA-C
Assistant Professor, Principal Faculty

Dawn graduated with honors from South University’s PA Program in 2018. She received her BA in English Literature from the University of Georgia in 2005. Originally from Atlanta, Dawn met her husband in Savannah during PA school. She fell in love with him and with Savannah and decided to stay on here as a "local” herself after graduation!

Dawn has been employed as PA at Southern Urgent Care on Whitemarsh Island since 2018, where she enjoys the variety of patients seen in Urgent Care, as well as the small practice environment. Dawn is also involved in the care of military reservists and performs disability evaluations for Veterans through the VA. She feels very fortunate for the opportunity to serve this patient population.

Outside of work, Dawn enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, spending time in her garden, being on or around the water in any capacity, and unwinding with her 4 dogs, family, and friends. 

 

Jeffrey Morgan, DMSc, PA-C
Assistant Professor, Principal Faculty

Dr. Morgan is a native of West Virginia. He has lived in the Savannah are since 2000; however, journeyed throughout the United States. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University and graduated from the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in 2000. In 2022, he earned a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies degree from University of Nebraska. Moreover, he completed a Doctorate of Medical Science with emphasis in Urgent Care and PA Education certificate from the University of Lynchburg. Finally, he has an Advanced Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (ABHRT) Certification from The Academy for Preventive and Innovative Medicine by Worldlink Medical.  

Dr. Morgan is over a 23-year Army veteran and retired from Fort Rucker in 2017. Over his Army career, he worked in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Aviation Medicine, Aeromedical Evacuation, and as an Instructor for Aviation Medicine programs, both stateside and during numerous operational deployments. He joined the South University, Savannah, PA Program in 2023.  

Dr. Morgan resides in Pooler. He has one working professional son. His interests are “learning anything new,” evidenced based medicine, motorcycle riding, and exploring different cuisines. 

 

Jan McCaleb, DPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Jan McCaleb, DPAS, PA-C has been a practicing PA for 25 years and is a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She entered the workforce at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital as a Health Professional Scholarship Program recipient shortly after graduation in 1997.  She took progressively more complex roles, first as a hospitalist on a Spinal Cord Injury unit, where she learned the art of team-based interdisciplinary care, then moved into Home Based Primary Care where she became the sole provider for 290 homebound veterans leading a team of 12 under the direction of the Chief of Geriatrics in Dallas, Texas. She later moved to Montana to begin working in progressively more complex administrative and leadership roles, moving her career ultimately to the Orlando VA Medical Center to become the Director of the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program. She developed a team of more than 50 employees taking care of over 300 veterans across six counties. During that time, she was trained as a facilitator for the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and completed the VA “High Performance Development Model for Leaders in the 21st Century Program” to become a VA senior executive. She left the VA after 22 years to leave a legacy for her profession by joining the faculty of Duquesne University as an Assistant Professor teaching Health Policy, Ethics and Law, Introduction to the PA Profession, and developing a Telemedicine course as a subject matter expert. Dr. McCaleb recently completed her Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. She is honored to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to South University.
 
Fun Facts: Dr. McCaleb also holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida, still paints and draws, and has become very fond of playing the Native American Flute. She has twin daughters who attend the University of Florida and a son who is currently in the Marine Corps.

 

Holly Martyn, M-PAS, PA- C
Assistant Professor, Principal Faculty

Holly Martyn, M-PAS, PA-C is a native of Dayton, Ohio and graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago where she received her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. She then pursued a master’s degree of Physician Assistant Studies at Chatham University in Pittsburgh.

Holly has worked as a PA for over 20 years. She started her career as a pediatric transplant PA at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and then eventually moved into pediatric emergency and primary care medicine. She has also worked extensively in adult emergency medicine.

Holly’s clinical interests include multiple pediatric subspecialties including transplant and emergency medicine, though pediatric primary care holds dear to her heart. 
Amusing note: Holly has a degree in Acting and Musical theatre from Mountview Theatre School in London, England. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, traveling and improv theater.

 

Garrett Rogers
Assistant Professor, Principal Faculty

Garrett Rogers is a native of Savannah, Georgia. He earned his BS in Biology from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. As an undergrad, he became a nationally registered EMT and began working in the ER setting before starting the Physician Assistant Program at South University, Savannah Campus. During his time in the program, he served as class president and as a student ambassador. He was also presented with the Student Leadership Award upon graduation. After graduation, he began a career in Emergency Medicine. He continues to practice in emergency medicine where he helps patients at the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and at a rural, critical access hospital ER. 

Mr. Rogers’ clinical interests include procedures, radiology interpretation, and medical decision making. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants, and the Society of Emergency Medicine PAs. In his spare time, he enjoys playing piano and guitar, golfing, and enjoying all Savannah has to offer.

 

Catherine A. Whiddon, CMA
Program Coordinator

Ms. Whiddon was born and raised in Bridgewater, NJ before moving to Dover, DE then Wahiawa, HI before coming to Hinesville, Georgia. While in Hinesville, she followed in her grandmother’s footsteps and became an Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, graduating from Savannah Technical College in the first graduating class from the Liberty Campus.

Ms. Whiddon then worked as an EMT-I with MedLift Ambulance in Savannah, Georgia until its closing due to the merging of St Joseph Hospital with Candler Hospital. Ms. Whiddon worked with the former owner and became Co-Owner/ Operator of MedLift Transport which was a non-emergency transport company contracted with Hospice Savannah. 

Ms. Whiddon then attended South University, (location)’s Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Degree Program, graduating class of 2013 working as a Medical Assistant for more than 9 years.

Ms. Whiddon resides in Port Wentworth, Georgia and has two daughters. Hobbies include home improvement projects, history, learning and anything medical.

 

Simone Baker
Clinical Coordinator

Ms. Simone Baker is a native of Savannah, Georgia. At an early age, she became passionate about the medical field. She started her studies with a goal to become a nurse like her mother, but transitioned her interests into administration. In 2013 she completed her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration at Saint Leo University. Prior to, throughout college, and after she acquired administrative and clinical experience, working at a local hospital and a few physician practices.
 
Ms. Baker acquired most of her clinical working experience in Mental Health Research in which she thoroughly enjoyed. During her time in research, she became interested in adult education and the work required to create and validate programs. She returned to school and obtained her Master’s degree in Adult Education and Community Leadership. After completing her graduate studies, Ms. Baker held positions in the local government and educational sectors. She joined the South University Physician Assistant Program in 2023 as the Clinical Coordinator.

 

Trish Dillon
Graduate Program Coordinator

Trish Dillon is a native of Oakland, California. She later moved to Montana and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Montana. She is currently working on completing her Master’s in Art History from Academy of Art University. She has 16 years of experience in youth and college preparatory services, as spent six years working for Montana Technological University’s  TRIO programs.
 
Ms. Dillon, an  Army veteran worked as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer with the 1-163rd Infantry Regiment, both state side and during an operational deployment in the middle east. She joined the South University PA program in 2023.
 
Ms. Dillon lives in Savannah Georgia with a lot of art and baking supplies as she has mastered the art of baking cheesecake.

 

Lloyd McCray
Graduate Program Coordinator

Lloyd McCray is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida. He moved to Savannah and obtained his Bachelor’s in History from Savannah State University. In 2012, Mr. McCray received his Master’s in Academic Advising/Counseling at Kansas State University. He has 16 years of experience in Academic Advising and Higher Ed. Prior to his academic advising role, he was a high school history teacher, behavior interventionist, and head basketball coach.

Mr. McCray has a passion for mentoring and advising. He has led numerous mentoring programs for youth, teens, and college students. His passion is mentoring, teaching, and advising tomorrow’s future leaders. Mr. McCray utilizes his mentorship through teaching and instructing Karate.

Mr. McCray resides in Savannah, Georgia, with his wife and children. His hobbies are competing and teaching Karate, mentoring youth and young adults, and spending time with family.

Physician Assistant Clinical Rotations

The clinical phase is 12 months in length. Eight five-week clinical rotations are conducted at a variety of clinical sites. Students will gain clinical exposure in the following disciplines: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Behavioral Medicine, Emergency Medicine and the Clinical Elective.

Clinical sites are recruited by the Program’s Clinical Department and personnel from the Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Sites offer the students the wide variety of clinical experiences for that specific clinical rotation (course) and service delivery system. Students are not required to supply their own clinical sites or preceptors for clinical rotations. Sites for rotations will be determined by the department. Alternate rotation sites may be provided by the student to the Clinical Department personnel. Clinical Department personnel will evaluate sites suggested by students for viability as a clinical rotation site. In order to qualify for rotations outside of South University sites, or in student suggested sites, a student must demonstrate successful academic, clinical, and professional progress in the program.

The South University Physician Assistant program immunization policy is aligned with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations for health professionals. After acceptance into the program, but before registration can be successfully completed, all students must complete the South University Health Requirements. Be aware that additional immunizations may be required by some clinical training sites and are the students’ responsibility. If students choose not to be vaccinated, they will not be allowed to rotate at clinical sites that require immunizations unless expressly permitted in writing to the program by the appropriate personnel at that site. If any of the core (required) rotations cannot be completed because the student voluntarily chose not to be vaccinated as required by the clinical rotation site, the student will not be eligible for graduation from the Physician Assistant program. In addition, if the number of clinical sites available to students who have not been vaccinated does not meet graduation requirements, those students will not be eligible for graduation from the Physician Assistant program.

Physicians, physician assistants, and other health care providers serve as preceptors for clinical students in direct patient care, providing the opportunity for the student to perfect technical and procedural skills, and to become competent in communication, physical diagnosis, succinct recording and reporting, problem assessment, and development of a logical approach to further studies and therapy.

Our students rotate in busy clinics, private physician offices, teaching hospitals, large institutions, and military hospitals and clinics. Rotations exist both in small towns and metropolitan cities. Our students are offered a wide variety of experiences and locations for their clinical rotations that are designed to round out the application of knowledge and skills to actual patient care.

Physician Assistant Learning Outcomes

 

(Graduate Competencies)

The following are the program learning outcomes (Graduate Competencies) for the South University Physician Assistant program.

Prior to graduation from the program, students will:

• PLO-1. Integrate behavioral, social, and medical knowledge established from the evolving biomedical and clinical sciences in recognizing, evaluating, and managing patient disease states across the lifespan during acute, chronic, preventative, and emergent encounters.

• PLO-2. Demonstrate the interpersonal and communication skills required to sustain effective, multi-directional information exchange within a diverse population of patients, their caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.

• PLO-3. Demonstrate the ability to elicit an accurate patient history, perform an appropriate physical examination, and perform appropriate clinical procedures using essential clinical and technical skills to provide quality patient care.

• PLO-4. Collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team through clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to formulate a logical differential diagnosis, select and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies, and synthesize a comprehensive, patient-centered management plan for the promotion of wellness and disease prevention.

• PLO-5. Demonstrate the ability to interpret and integrate an evidence-based approach to clinical and professional practice through clinical reasoning, problem- solving, and decision-making processes to improve patient care practices.

• PLO-6. Demonstrate professionalism through personal behaviors, sensitivity, and accountability essential to patients, society, and the profession.