Jesse Edwards, associate director of the Physician Assistant Program in the School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP), was recently presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Veterans Caucus of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
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Jesse Edwards with the Lifetime Achievement Award. |
Edwards accepted his award last month at the Veterans Caucus Memorial Day Ceremony at the national Physician Assistant Conference in New Orleans, La. He was recognized for his “achievements during 22 years of active military service in the U.S. Air Force and his outstanding contributions toward improving the educational opportunities of military physician assistants during the past 30 years.”
“This veterans award really means a lot because it’s only presented occasionally, it’s not an annual award,” Edwards said. “The caucus membership is composed of military medic physician assistants. We have so much in common and I admire and respect them all.
Edwards has previously been recognized for his pioneering work in PA education by selection for honorary membership in the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Society of Air Force Physician Assistants. In 2000, the U.S. Air Force named an award in Edwards’ honor – the Jesse Edwards Outstanding Physician Assistant of the Year Award.
A native Texan, Edwards joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1946. From 1946 until 1967 he served in various positions in the health care field. His assignments included 10 years of enlisted service in such positions as aero medical evacuation technician, and administrative supervisor. He received a direct commission and served as a medical administrator and staff officer at various spots around the world, ending up in the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, before he retired in 1967 with the rank of major.
Upon retirement from the military, Edwards was appointed to the faculty at UNMC. In 1972, when serving as the associate to the dean for business affairs of the College of Medicine, he was asked to help start the UNMC’s first Physician Assistant Program. He accepted the position as the associate program director and established the administrative framework for the program. One of his first efforts was to draft legislation for the PA profession and to work with the Nebraska State Legislature in passage of the PA law.
In 1974, Edwards played a key role in creating a partnership between UNMC and the USAF Physician Assistant Program at Sheppard Air Force Base. This partnership enabled PA students in the Air Force to obtain a bachelor’s degree from UNMC upon completion of their military PA Program. After a brief interruption, this partnership resumed and now continues with the Interservice PA Program at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.
Edwards’ tenure with the UNMC program has been filled with significant accomplishments. He compiled the first comprehensive set of PA writings into a introductory text for new students to the profession. The book was used by many other PA programs in their own introductory classes.
Edwards oversaw the creation of the first national computerized test item bank for physician assistants. PA programs across the nation used that data bank for 15 years before responsibility was assumed by the national Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP). He authored many articles in refereed journals, and has made many presentations at local, regional and national conferences. His grant writing skills resulted in the awards to the program of more than $2.5 million in an 18-year period.
In 1996, Edwards played a key role in the development and implementation of a distance learning program for graduate physician assistants. This program provides a way for working PA’s to upgrade their bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree without having to leave their place of employment. Hundreds of military PA’s benefited from
this distance learning option program.
Edwards has served on many committees and task forces at UNMC, including the Faculty Senate. His UNMC honors and awards include selection as a UNMC Distinguished Teacher, and recipient of the Outstanding Service Award to the Allied Health Professions and a Certificate for Outstanding Professional Achievement. He was also named an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy, an honorary title granted by the Governor of Nebraska.
Edwards has been an active member of the national APAP. In addition to his service on many committees, he has served as vice president and president of the APAP and was honored by the association with its Outstanding Service Award. He is an honorary member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Air Force Society of Physician Assistants and the Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants.
On July 1, 2003, Edwards will celebrate 36 years with the UNMC faculty – a lot of years for reflection.
“There is no retirement plan in my future – I intend to come to work as long as my health permits,” Edwards said. “It has been very heartening to see how much more accepted the physician assistant is within both the physician community and by patients. I believe that the real growth in PA’s in the future will center around PA’s specializing in their practices, just as medical doctors do.
“In addition, the PA in the military is now playing a much more significant role than in earlier years. Military PA’s are adaptable, willing to move into many areas of medicine and have proven beyond a doubt that they received a good medical education. In fact, in the U.S. Army today, a PA can be designated a battalion surgeon, a position previously only authorized for MD’s.”