Linda Speer, MD, FAAFP, Department Chair
Kelly Izsak, MSBS, PA-C, Physician Assistant Studies Program Director

The Department of Family Medicine was first established in 1974 and consists of the Family Medicine Residency Program and the Physician Assistant Studies Program. Our mission statement is to improve the health of people of all ages in their family and community contexts through education, clinical practice, and the advancement of knowledge of our discipline.

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals, prepared to practice medicine with physician supervision. Within the physician/PA relationship, PAs exercise autonomy in decision-making and provide a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The role of the PA includes provision of primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practices located in rural, urban or suburban areas. Physician assistant practice is patient care centered but may include education, research and administrative duties.

The University of Toledo (UToledo) Physician Assistant Program is a graduate entry-level professional course of study enabling individuals who hold baccalaureate degrees to become PAs. The program is designed to prepare graduates for primary care practice with emphasis placed on both service to medically under-served populations and the team approach to the delivery of healthcare. The program integrates graduate level critical thinking and analysis, problem solving, scientific inquiry, self-directed learning and the effective use of modern technology for professional practice that includes elements of research, leadership, education and continued professionalization of the physician assistant occupation.

• MSBS in Physician Assistant Studies