Physician Assistant

Missions Statement

The South University Physician Assistant (MSPA) exists to educate a diverse student population as providers of high-quality, cost-efficient health care who will make a positive impact while practicing the art and science of medicine with physician collaboration.

Vision Statement

The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA) degree program strives to provide educational experiences where faculty, staff, clinical instructors, students, and other health care providers work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation, and commitment. The program’s primary focus is on the development of physician assistants capable of expanding into clinical leadership roles by demonstrating proficiency in critical thinking and creative problem solving, utilizing evidence-based skills gained through innovative approaches.

Jonie Fawley, MPAS, PA-C
Program Director and Assistant Professor

Ms. Fawley is an Ohio native. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University, Physician Assistant (PA) Certification from Kettering College of Medical Arts, and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine.

Ms. Fawley has 16 years of experience as a practicing physician assistant in the fields of family medicine, geriatrics, and neurology. Prior to arriving at South University, she served as adjunct faculty, Wright State University School of Medicine, Family Medicine Department and Assistant Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, PA Program.

Ms. Fawley is a member of the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants, Physician Assistant Education Association, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants. She received the 2018 GAPA Faculty Achievement Award and the 2019 GAPA Faculty of the Year Award. She completed the Woodruff Health Educators Academy’s Fellowship in Educational Scholarship at Emory University in 2020.

Her teaching and research interests include active learning and critical thinking in medical education. She enjoys traveling, hiking and riding her Vespa or Can Am Spyder.

Liza Bashambu, MSPA, PA-C
Director of Didactic Education and Assistant Professor

Mrs. Bashambu is a native of northeast Ohio. She began her career in the medical field in 2010 as a Respiratory Therapist, gaining experience in neonatal and pediatric critical care. Prior to matriculation at South University, Mrs. Bashambu obtained a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Boise State University. She is a 2018 graduate of South University Savannah’s Physician Assistant Program and holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant. She worked in Allergy/Immunology prior to returning to her alma mater as a faculty member.

Mrs. Bashambu is passionate about education and takes an interest in program admissions, pulmonology, arterial blood gas analysis, allergy/immunology, and behavioral medicine. She facilitates standardized patient events for the students each quarter, is the chair of the South University Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee and serves on the Physician Assistant Education Association Exam Development Board for the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine End of Rotation Examinations.

She lives in Savannah with her husband and two children.

Marcy King, MSPA, PA-C
Assistant Director of Didactic Education and Assistant Professor

Mrs. King is a native of Southern Illinois.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences with a Minor in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2012.  She began her medical career working in Hematology/Oncology in Southern Illinois before moving to Savannah, GA in 2014.  She then graduated South University’s, Savannah(location)’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program in 2016 and earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant. Her graduation honors included the Academic Achievement Award. After graduation, her clinical career began at an Internal Medicine private practice in the Savannah area where she practiced for 6.5 years.  While practicing in Internal Medicine, she precepted multiple PA students and enjoyed taking part in their education.  She subsequently joined the faculty at South University in March of 2022.

Mrs. King is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association.  Her clinical interests include many subtypes of Internal Medicine, as well as women’s health and physical diagnosis.  She currently lives in Savannah, GA with her husband and young daughter. Her hobbies include boating, traveling, and cooking.

John Balser, DMsc, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Mr. Balser has lived in the Savannah area since 2000, but is well traveled throughout the United States. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma, after completing the United States Army Physician Assistant Program in 1990. He has also earned a Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies in Orthopaedic Surgery from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College and a Doctorate of Medical Science with an emphasis in PA Education from the University of Lynchburg.

Mr. Balser is a 40-year Army veteran and retired at nearby Fort Stewart in 2021. During his Army career, he worked in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, and EENT Surgery, both state-side and during multiple operational deployments. He joined the South University, Savannah, PA Program in 2021.  

Mr. Balser lives in Richmond Hill, with his wife of 38 years, and their dog. His children currently live in Richmond, Virginia and Gaithersburg, Maryland, and are an eclectic blend of Arts and Science, which makes for great conversations at dinner. 

John J. Burns, III, MMSc, PA-C
Assistant Program Director and Associate Professor

Mr. Burns is a native of Savannah Georgia.  He has been a member of the South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Program faculty since 2001.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Health Promotion and Behavior, from the University of Georgia.  He is a 1997 graduate of the Emory University Physician Assistant Program.  Upon graduation, he began his clinical career in Family Medicine at Fayette Medical Clinic in Fayetteville, Georgia.  In 1999, he returned to his hometown of Savannah and began clinical practice in Endocrinology.  In 2001, he joined the faculty of South University as the Associate Clinical Coordinator.  He has also served as the program’s Academic Coordinator and Associate Director.  In 2009, he assumed the role of Program Director.

His academic/teaching interests include PA admissions, medical communication, endocrinology, ophthalmology and physical assessment.  His clinical interests include endocrinology, specifically Type 1 diabetes, and thyroid disorders.

He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Georgia Association of Physician Assistants, and the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).  He currently serves as Lead Faculty for the PAEA Admissions PANDO Workshop.  He previously served as a committee member for the CASPA Advisory Committee.

He lives in Savannah with his wife and their two children.  His hobbies include reading, gardening, and golf.

Dr. Krystal Goodwin, DC, MPH
Assistant Professor

Ray Rudolph, M.D., MPH, FACS
Medical Director and Assistant Professor

Mallory Capps, MSPA, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor

Mrs. Capps is a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. She completed an accelerated program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, completing her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in five years. She began her medical career working in Urgent Care in her hometown before moving to Savannah, Georgia in 2018. Mrs. Capps continued to work in Urgent Care as a front-line worker through the COVID-19 pandemic. After six years of clinical practice, she joined the faculty at South University in July 2023. She is passionate about teaching women's health, medical decision making, and procedural skills.
 
Mrs. Capps is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Georgia Association for Physician Assistants. She currently lives in Richmond Hill, Georgia with her husband and son. Her husband is also a Physician Assistant. She enjoys gardening, attending church, and spoiling her golden retriever, Ollie.

Dawn O'Brien, MSPA, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Dawn graduated with honors from South University’s PA Program in 2018. She received her BA in English Literature from the University of Georgia in 2005. Originally from Atlanta, Dawn met her husband in Savannah during PA school. She fell in love with him and with Savannah and decided to stay on here as a "local” herself after graduation!

Dawn has been employed as PA at Southern Urgent Care on Whitemarsh Island since 2018, where she enjoys the variety of patients seen in Urgent Care, as well as the small practice environment. Dawn is also involved in the care of military reservists and performs disability evaluations for Veterans through the VA. She feels very fortunate for the opportunity to serve this patient population.

Outside of work, Dawn enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, spending time in her garden, being on or around the water in any capacity, and unwinding with her 4 dogs, family, and friends.

Robert C. Dichiera, DSc Clinical Orthopedics, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Mr. Dichiera was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with a specialization in Athletic Training from the University of Florida in 1998. He worked as an Athletic Trainer for several years at the clinic, high school, and Collegiate levels prior to enlisting in the United States Army. He is a graduate of the Uniformed Services Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) where in 2010 he earned a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  In 2014 he completed the U.S. Army – Baylor University Fellowship in Clinical Orthopedics leading to a Doctor of Science in Clinical Orthopedics. 
Mr. Dichiera is a 20-year Army veteran and has worked as an Army Physician Assistant at home and abroad. He has served as a Primary Care and Orthopedic Provider, Orthopedic Clinic Chief, Fracture Clinic Chief, as well a Site Clinical Coordinator for the Interservice Physician Assistant Program. 
Mr. Dichiera lives in Richmond Hill with his wife of 30 years.  They have four wonderful adult children working as professionals in various fields. His hobbies include woodworking and wood turning as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. 

Jeffrey Morgan, DMSc, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Mr. Morgan is a native of West Virginia. He has lived in the Savannah are since 2000; however, journeyed throughout the United States. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University and graduated from the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in 2000. In 2022, he earned a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies degree from University of Nebraska. Moreover, he completed a Doctorate of Medical Science with emphasis in Urgent Care and PA Education certificate from the University of Lynchburg. Finally, he has an Advanced Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (ABHRT) Certification from The Academy for Preventive and Innovative Medicine by Worldlink Medical.  

Mr. Morgan is over a 23-year Army veteran and retired from Fort Rucker in 2017. Over his Army career, he worked in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Aviation Medicine, Aeromedical Evacuation, and as an Instructor for Aviation Medicine programs, both stateside and during numerous operational deployments. He joined the South University, Savannah, PA Program in 2023.  

Mr. Morgan resides in Pooler. He has one working professional son. His interests are “learning anything new,” evidenced based medicine, motorcycle riding, and exploring different cuisines. 

Briana Evans, MSPA, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Briana Evans is a native of Savannah, Georgia. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a BS in Exercise Science. She earned a Masters in Medical Science from the Physician Assistant Program at Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, Florida where she finished with Highest Honors. She began her medical career in 2020 working in outpatient internal medicine where she enjoys the variety of patients and wide range of care, she is able to provide. Briana has always had a passion for teaching and enjoyed precepting students during her time in the clinic. She joined South University’s PA program as full-time faculty in 2023 and continues to see patients in clinic once a week. Her clinical interests include preventative medicine, women’s health, endocrinology, geriatrics, physical exam technique and procedures. 

Briana is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Georgia Association for Physician Assistants. She is happy to be living back in her hometown, close to family. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have one son. She enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with family. 

Catherine A. Whiddon, CMA
Administrative Assistant for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program

Ms. Whiddon was born and raised in Bridgewater, NJ before moving to Dover, DE then Wahiawa, HI before coming to Hinesville, Georgia. While in Hinesville, she followed in her grandmother’s footsteps and became an Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate, graduating from Savannah Technical College in the first graduating class from the Liberty Campus.

Ms. Whiddon then worked as an EMT-I with MedLift Ambulance in Savannah, Georgia until its closing due to the merging of St Joseph Hospital with Candler Hospital. Ms. Whiddon worked with the former owner and became Co-Owner/ Operator of MedLift Transport which was a non-emergency transport company contracted with Hospice Savannah. 

Ms. Whiddon then attended South University, (location)’s Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Degree Program, graduating class of 2013 working as a Medical Assistant for more than 9 years

Ms. Whiddon resides in Port Wentworth, Georgia and has two daughters. Hobbies include home improvement projects, history, learning and anything medical.

Nartaka Walls, MPH
Clinical Manager for the College of Health Professions

Ms. Walls is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. An Army veteran, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Saint Leo University. She worked in various private practice settings throughout Savannah, GA to include family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, and hematology/oncology.

Ms. Walls joined South University in 2017 as the Clinical Coordinator. In 2020, she earned a Master of Public Health Degree with Honors at South University, Savannah. In 2022, she was promoted to Clinical Manager of the College of Health Professions. She is passionate about education and enjoys teaching credentialing classes to prepare students for their upcoming clinical year. She has received numerous accolades and recognition for her dedication and commitment to students and the clinical program.

Ms. Walls lives in Savannah with her family and two dogs. She enjoys cooking and traveling with her family.     

Simone Baker
Clinical Coordinator

Ms. Simone Baker is a native of Savannah, Georgia. At an early age, she became passionate about the medical field. She started her studies with a goal to become a nurse like her mother, but transitioned her interests into administration. In 2013 she completed her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration at Saint Leo University. Prior to, throughout college, and after she acquired administrative and clinical experience, working at a local hospital and a few physician practices.
 
Ms. Baker acquired most of her clinical working experience in Mental Health Research in which she thoroughly enjoyed. During her time in research, she became interested in adult education and the work required to create and validate programs. She returned to school and obtained her Master’s degree in Adult Education and Community Leadership. After completing her graduate studies, Ms. Baker held positions in the local government and educational sectors. She joined the South University Physician Assistant Program in 2023 as the Clinical Coordinator.

Trish Dillon
Graduate Coordinator

Trish Dillon is a native of Oakland, California. She later moved to Montana and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Montana. She is currently working on completing her Master’s in Art History from Academy of Art University. She has 16 years of experience in youth and college preparatory services, as spent six years working for Montana Technological University’s  TRIO programs.
 
Ms. Dillon, an  Army veteran worked as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer with the 1-163rd Infantry Regiment, both state side and during an operational deployment in the middle east. She joined the South University PA program in 2023.
 
Ms. Dillon lives in Savannah Georgia with a lot of art and baking supplies as she has mastered the art of baking cheesecake.

Lloyd McCray
Graduate Coordinator

Lloyd McCray is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida. He moved to Savannah and obtained his Bachelor’s in History from Savannah State University. In 2012, Mr. McCray received his Master’s in Academic Advising/Counseling at Kansas State University. He has 16 years of experience in Academic Advising and Higher Ed. Prior to his academic advising role, he was a high school history teacher, behavior interventionist, and head basketball coach.

Mr. McCray has a passion for mentoring and advising. He has led numerous mentoring programs for youth, teens, and college students. His passion is mentoring, teaching, and advising tomorrow’s future leaders. Mr. McCray utilizes his mentorship through teaching and instructing Karate.

Mr. McCray resides in Savannah, Georgia, with his wife and children. His hobbies are competing and teaching Karate, mentoring youth and young adults, and spending time with family.

Physician Assistant Clinical Rotations

The clinical phase is 12 months in length. Eight five-week clinical rotations are conducted at a variety of clinical sites. Students will gain clinical exposure in the following disciplines: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Behavioral Medicine, Emergency Medicine and the Clinical Elective.

Clinical sites are recruited by the Program’s Clinical Department and personnel from the Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Sites offer the students the wide variety of clinical experiences for that specific clinical rotation (course) and service delivery system. Students are not required to supply their own clinical sites or preceptors for clinical rotations. Sites for rotations will be determined by the department. Alternate rotation sites may be provided by the student to the Clinical Department personnel. Clinical Department personnel will evaluate sites suggested by students for viability as a clinical rotation site. In order to qualify for rotations outside of South University sites, or in student suggested sites, a student must demonstrate successful academic, clinical, and professional progress in the program.

The South University Physician Assistant program immunization policy is aligned with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations for health professionals. After acceptance into the program, but before registration can be successfully completed, all students must complete the South University Health Requirements. Be aware that additional immunizations may be required by some clinical training sites and are the students’ responsibility. If students choose not to be vaccinated, they will not be allowed to rotate at clinical sites that require immunizations unless expressly permitted in writing to the program by the appropriate personnel at that site. If any of the core (required) rotations cannot be completed because the student voluntarily chose not to be vaccinated as required by the clinical rotation site, the student will not be eligible for graduation from the Physician Assistant program. In addition, if the number of clinical sites available to students who have not been vaccinated does not meet graduation requirements, those students will not be eligible for graduation from the Physician Assistant program.

Physicians, physician assistants, and other health care providers serve as preceptors for clinical students in direct patient care, providing the opportunity for the student to perfect technical and procedural skills, and to become competent in communication, physical diagnosis, succinct recording and reporting, problem assessment, and development of a logical approach to further studies and therapy.

Our students rotate in busy clinics, private physician offices, teaching hospitals, large institutions, and military hospitals and clinics. Rotations exist both in small towns and metropolitan cities. Our students are offered a wide variety of experiences and locations for their clinical rotations that are designed to round out the application of knowledge and skills to actual patient care.

(Graduate Competencies)

The following are the program learning outcomes (Graduate Competencies) for the South University Physician Assistant program.

Prior to graduation from the program, students will:

• PLO-1. Integrate behavioral, social, and medical knowledge established from the evolving biomedical and clinical sciences in recognizing, evaluating, and managing patient disease states across the lifespan during acute, chronic, preventative, and emergent encounters..

• PLO-2. Demonstrate the interpersonal and communication skills required to sustain effective, multi-directional information exchange within a diverse population of patients, their caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.

• PLO-3. Demonstrate the ability to elicit an accurate patient history, perform an appropriate physical examination, and perform appropriate clinical procedures using essential clinical and technical skills to provide quality patient care.

• PLO-4. Collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team through clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to formulate a logical differential diagnosis, select and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies, and synthesize a comprehensive, patient-centered management plan for the promotion of wellness and disease prevention.

• PLO-5. Demonstrate the ability to interpret and integrate an evidence-based approach to clinical and professional practice through clinical reasoning, problem- solving, and decision-making processes to improve patient care practices.

• PLO-6. Demonstrate professionalism through personal behaviors, sensitivity, and accountability essential to patients, society, and the profession.