Dr. Danielsen celebrates 25th anniversary with ATSU
Posted: March 25, 2020
On March 25, 2020, Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA, celebrated his 25th employment anniversary with A.T. Still University (ATSU). Dr. Danielsen began at ATSU in 1995 as an academic coordinator for the physician assistant studies (PA) department.
In 1997, he became chair of physician assistant studies, and in 2004 became dean of ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS), serving until 2010, and again from 2012-18. Recently, he stepped down as dean to take on a new role in online education as the chair of ATSU-ASHS’s Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program.
Since graduating from the University of Utah physician assistant program in 1974, Dr. Danielsen has distinguished himself as a clinician, PA educator, author, and editor. He received his BS in health science (cum laude) from the University of Utah in 1978, his master’s in PA studies (MPAS) from the University of Nebraska with an emphasis on internal medicine in 1997, and his PhD from the Union Institute & University in 2003 with an emphasis on medical education.
He has served on the board of directors of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and as a board member and chairman for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Earlier in his career, he served as president of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants (UAPA), the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants (ASAPA), and as chair of the Arizona Regulatory Board for PAs. Retired after 28 years of service in the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Danielsen also is a former president of the AAPA Veterans Caucus and was honored with the Caucus’ Civilian PA of the Year Award in 2003.
Dr. Danielsen was named Outstanding PA of the Year by the AAPA in 1993 and by ASAPA in 2011. In 2012, he was honored by the University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, Division of Physician Assistant Studies with the “Patron of the Profession” award for “unwavering dedication and service to the physician assistant profession.” In May 2015, he received the Eugene A. Stead Award of Achievement from AAPA. This is the Academy’s most prestigious award, recognizing an individual for lifetime achievement that has had a broad and significant impact on the profession. He currently serves as PA editor-in-chief for Clinician Reviews.
Dr. Danielsen has published over nineteen peer-reviewed articles, twenty journal editorials, three book chapters, and his first co-authored book, entitled The Preceptor’s Handbook for Supervising Physician Assistants, published by Jones & Bartlett Learning. He is also a Senior Consultant with the Academy for Academic Leadership and a proud member of Rotary International.
Congratulations, Dr. Danielsen!