The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) announced the appointment of Brandon Beattie, assistant professor of physician assistant (PA) studies, to serve as the director of the Physician Assistant Program.
As director, Beattie is responsible for providing strategic leadership, overseeing the vision, mission and long-term growth of the PA Program. He is tasked with guiding the curriculum content and structure, monitoring quality and graduate outcomes through ongoing evaluation and self-study and implementing curricular revisions to ensure SMHS succeeds in its mission to train the next generation of clinicians, educators and health care leaders.
Beattie also will lead the accreditation process, ensuring the program meets or exceeds Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and institutional standards, working to keep the program’s 50-year history of continuous accreditation.
“We are thrilled to welcome our faculty member Brandon Beattie as the PA Program director. I know he will continue to utilize his strong problem-solving, leadership and communication skills to lead the exceptionally talented faculty, staff and students of our program, which is ranked 6th in the nation,” said Mary L. Warner, chair of SMHS Department of Physician Assistant Studies.
Beattie, who has served as director of didactic education for the PA program, joined GW in 2019. In that role he oversaw the development, management and evaluation of the didactic phase of the two-year program, in addition to his scholarly activities. For the past four years, he’s also served as the coach of the program’s American Academy of Physician Associates National Challenge Bowl.
Beattie also brings extensive clinical experience to the position, providing evaluation, diagnosis and treatment in comprehensive outpatient neurology care facilities and high-volume urgent care settings. From 2003 to 2009, he also served as a combat medic and sergeant (E-5) in the United States Army. Currently, he conducts comprehensive medical evaluations for veteran disability claims with Veteran Evaluation Services.
“It is an honor to step into the role of program director at the George Washington University,” Beatie said. “I am inspired every day by the excellence, dedication and collaborative spirit of our faculty and staff, and I look forward to advancing our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of PAs.”
Named as one of the nation’s leading PA programs, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report, the program is recognized for its pioneering curriculum and unique focus on community outreach, patient advocacy and leadership. In 2023, the program earned a 10-year reaccreditation from the ARC-PA, the highest level granted.
As one of the earliest programs established, GW’s PA program graduates and faculty have held multiple leadership roles across the four major PA organizations and provided high quality medical, surgical and behavioral health care as members of interprofessional teams in numerous health systems, clinics, federally qualified health centers and private health facilities.
“As a scholar, a clinician and an educator, Brandon Beattie is the ideal person to lead our outstanding PA program. I am confident that his experience and collaborative leadership will propel the program to even further excellence,” said Barbara Lee Bass, vice president for health affairs, dean of SMHS, and the Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine and professor of surgery.