PA program director announces 2012 retirement

James Somers, Ph.D., program director for the division of physician assistant education in UNMC’s School of Allied Health Professions, has announced his intent to retire on April 30, 2012.

He has been with the program for 30 years, and has served as director since 1991.

James Somers, Ph.D.

“Jim has been instrumental in developing the physician assistant program into one of the nation’s best,” said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., senior associate dean of allied health. “Graduates of our highly ranked program play a vital role in the delivery of health care across Nebraska.”

Dr. Somers joined UNMC in 1977 and spent six years as an instructor and clinical coordinator in the division of physician assistant education. He spent a year at the physician assistant program at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and then returned to UNMC as an instructor in the department of preventive and stress medicine. In subsequent years, he served as a physician assistant in the department of radiology and academic coordinator in the division of physician assistant education.

The Leavenworth, Kan., native has received numerous honors including recognition for leadership of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, the accrediting agency for physician assistant education programs.

The SAHP will recognize Dr. Somers’ program contributions during a spring event.