New Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences Appointed

Melissa Vitek, OD, FAAO, the University’s interim provost and vice-president of Academic Affairs, recently announced the appointment of Donna Agnew, MSPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA as interim dean of the College of Health Sciences (CHS).

In her new role, Agnew has two directed, primary goals: facilitate a smooth transition for the newly appointed provost and vice president of academic affairs as well as support and advocate for the needs of the existing programs in the CHS, which currently include Biomedicine and Physician Assistant Studies programs. “It is a privilege to serve the University in the capacity of interim dean of the College of Health Sciences,” she said. “I am fortunate to be working with Dr. Mitchell Scheiman and Dr. Anthony Di Stefano and have already discussed areas of potential collaboration.”

Agnew received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology from Temple University and practiced laboratory medicine in the areas of hematology, microbiology and radioimmunoassay for 16 years prior to pursuing a master’s degree in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies from Arcadia University. Her interest in Physician Assistant education led her to join Arcadia’s faculty in 2004 and later serve as associate director, prior to her appointment as the PA program director here at Salus in 2015.

In addition to her academic responsibilities, Agnew maintains a primary care focus of clinical practice, initially in family medicine and, for the past sixteen years, in internal medicine. In 2011, she was named “Best of Bucks County” in the Physician Assistant category by her patients.  Her clinical areas of interest include infectious disease, autoimmunity and connective tissue disorders.

A few of her academic achievements include the publication of PANCE/PANRE (Physician Assistant National Certifying and Recertifying Exam) board review textbook and presentations at state, national and international forums. In a collaborative effort with the University of Pretoria in South Africa, she contributed to the development of the Clinical Associate that is founded upon the PA model. Agnew has extensive experience in curricular design, implementation, assessment and outcome appraisal. She is a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and will soon begin her appointment as Commissioner for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) in January 2019.

Dr. Vitek has full confidence in Agnew as she takes on her new role. “For those of you who have had the privilege of working with Donna, you are very familiar with her proven track record of effective and collaborative leadership,” she said. “I am confident she will be successful in this expanded role in the College of Health Sciences.”