ATSU-ASHS director of clinical education receives award from Physician Assistant Education Association
Posted: November 4, 2020
A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Kim DeVore, MS, PA-C, director of clinical education, physician assistant (PA) studies, was recently recognized for her dedication to the education of future PAs and work with underserved communities. DeVore was awarded the Clinical Education Award from the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).
“DeVore is a consummate leader, mentor, coach, colleague, a compassionate provider, a role model, and a friend,” Michelle DiBaise, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, professor, department chair, said in a nomination letter.
Prior to her tenure with ATSU, DeVore worked in family practice and volunteered for The Neighborhood Christian Clinic, where she provided healthcare to the underserved community in Mesa, Arizona. Since joining ATSU, DeVore has strengthened partnerships with community health centers (CHC) as clinical team leader. She maintains relationships with the 10 current community campuses while actively recruiting future community partnerships.
“My involvement as the director of clinical education for Department of PA Studies, is to leverage our community partnerships to identify community members and mentor them through the journey of admission, matriculation, and graduation,” DeVore said. “It is an incredible privilege to walk alongside such amazing people and watch them flourish as healers.”
DeVore has also focused attention on building a pipeline within PA department through the Hometown Scholars (HTS) program. This workforce pipeline is a key strategy for producing a diverse healthcare workforce that is reflective of the population of partner CHCs.
“DeVore is currently working to expand the pipeline concept, adding a new program entitled ‘Pipeline to Practice (P2P),’ which aims to identify, attract, retain, and graduate a diverse student body that is representative of the U.S. as a whole; and prepare them to provide culturally proficient primary care to vulnerable and underserved populations,” Dr. DiBaise said.
Additionally, DeVore serves as ATSU Challenge Bowl coach, serves as an officer for Faculty Assembly, chairs the Arizona State Association of PAs awards committee, and participates in numerous volunteer activities such as Special Olympics health screenings, Emerson Elementary school physicals, and other health fairs.
“This award validates that what we are doing through the mission of the department and university to train PAs to be exemplary healers in underserved communities resonates with the heart and soul of why many of us chose to be physician assistants,” DeVore said. “Many programs have excellent faculty and training opportunities, but what we do here at ATSU is special and unique.”
