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Scottsdale,
Ariz. -- Barry A. Cassidy, Ph.D., P.A.-C,
Executive Director of the Arizona Medical Board and
the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants,
was recently inducted into the Duke University Physician
Assistant Alumni Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was
established in 2002 to honor alumni who have achieved
success in their lives and careers. Cassidy was among
four inductees selected at the October 1, 2003 celebration.
The Alumni Hall of Fame profiles the achievements
of prominent alumni to provide a source of inspiration
for students, alumni and staff of the Duke University
Physician Assistant Program and the Duke University
academic community.
Cassidy
is a 1971 graduate of the Duke University Physician
Assistant Program. The Duke Program was established
in 1967 and was one of the first of its kind in the
nation. Cassidy was also one of its first graduates.
“I entered the program at a time when the concept
of a physician assistant was relatively new,”
said Cassidy. The physician assistant concept started
in the 1960s as the need for medical care rose in
underserved rural areas and as former military corpsman
entered the workforce.
After
graduating from the Duke University Physician Assistant
Program, Cassidy moved to Illinois, where he became
the first physician assistant licensed in the state.
While there, he worked closely with the Illinois Hospital
Association to establish the first guidelines for
privileging physician assistants in a hospital setting.
He served on the Governor’s Health Licensure
Commission for the State of Illinois and was a member
of the Advisory Panel of the National Board of Medical
Examiners that developed the national certifying examination
for physician assistants. He has also served as Vice
President of the Academy of Physician Assistants and
has held numerous positions in the Arizona State Association
of Physician Assistants. Cassidy has chaired numerous
academic, bioethics and institutional research review
committees and holds a patent for a catheter system
connector. He is listed in the Who’s Who in
Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in America
and Who’s Who in the World. Additionally, he
has authored various publications and has an extensive
list of presentations. In 1998, Cassidy received the
Midwestern University’s Gold Standard Award,
which is given by the President of the University
to a faculty member exemplifying excellence in leadership
and mentoring.
The
Duke University Hall of Fame Steering Committee selects
candidates who have graduated from the Physician Assistant
Program and who exhibit the following characteristics:
·
- Significant
and lasting contributions to the success of the
physician assistant profession
- Significant
contributions to advancing and improving clinical
education, research and management outcomes
-
Performing outstanding services that improve the
health and welfare of local, national and international
communities
-
Financial support and personal service to the Duke
University Physician Assistant Division
“It
is an extreme honor to be recognized by my alma mater,”
said Cassidy. “I intend to use the knowledge
and experience I have gathered over the last few decades
to serve the Arizona public.”
In
July, 2002, Cassidy was appointed Executive Director
of the Arizona Medical Board, the first time a physician
assistant has been made Executive Director of any
state medical board. He also serves as Executive Director
of the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants.
Prior to this position, Cassidy served as Chair of
the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants
and concurrently held the position of Professor, Associate
Dean and founding Director of the Physician Assistant
Program of the College of Health Sciences at Midwestern
University in Glendale, Arizona. Before moving to
Arizona, he was Director of Clinical Services and
Executive Vice President of Park Medical Center and
Southern Emergency Medical Associates in Research
Triangle Park, N.C.
Cassidy
and his wife currently reside in the Arcardia region
of Phoenix, Arizona.
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