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.

Master of Science Physician Assistant Degree Program Technical Standards

In order to ensure that patients receive the best medical care possible, the faculty of the South University Physician Assistant program has identified certain skills and professional behaviors that are essential for successful progression of physician assistant students in the program. A student must possess skills and behaviors at a level of capability to perform a variety of duties required of a physician assistant as a health care professional.

Students with disabilities who can perform these skills and successfully execute professional behavior either unassisted, with dependable use of assistive devices, or by employing other reasonable accommodations are eligible to apply for enrollment in the program. Minimum performance standards include critical thinking, communication skills, observation skills, motor skills, and interpersonal abilities. Interested parties may contact the Physician Assistant program office for additional information about South University performance standards. These skills and behaviors include, but are not limited to;

Critical Thinking: A student must possess the intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty. The ability to solve problems, a skill that is critical to the practice of medicine, requires the intellectual abilities of measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Students  must be able to perform demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.

Communication Skills: A student should also be able to speak, to hear, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and to perceive nonverbal communications. The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written forms.

Observation Skills: The student must be able to observe a patient accurately, both at a distance and in close proximity. This ability requires the functional use of vision and somatic sensation.

Motor Skills: A student should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic techniques. A student should be able to execute movements reasonably required to move from area to area, maneuver in small spaces, calibrate and use large and small equipment, position and move patients, and provide patients with general care and emergency treatment.

Interpersonal Abilities: A student for the Physician Assistant program must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities required for the diagnosis and care of patients and the development of professionalism through mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, families, and colleagues.

Karen Wilcox, DMSc, PA-C
Program Director, Assistant Professor

Dr. Karen Wilcox has been with South University, Tampa since 2011. Originally from New York, she has lived and worked in the Tampa Bay area for the past 17 years. Dr. Wilcox received her Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola College in Maryland in 2002.  She graduated from Nova Southeastern University-Fort Lauderdale in 2005 with both a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and a Master of Medical Science degree and completed a Doctor of Medical Science at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. Dr. Wilcox specializes in family practice/urgent care with a concentration on wellness and prevention.  In 2009 Dr. Wilcox transitioned into integrative medicine before joining South University, in 2011, at first, as an adjunct professor, and in 2016 as full-time faculty.  Her teaching/academic interests include otolaryngology, endocrinology, and women’s health.  

Dr. Wilcox is an active member of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA), the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). She has lectured at the state level on the topics of hypothyroidism. She lives in Tampa with her husband and their three boys. 

Elliot E. Cazes, MD
Medical Director

Dr. Cazes has been the Medical Director of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program at South University since July 2018. He is originally from the Northeast, having grown up in the Trenton, NJ area. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Connecticut, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology.  He then attended Georgetown University, completing research and a Master’s degree in Physiology.  Dr. Cazes graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and spent an additional 4 years completing a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  After completing his residency in 1995, Dr. Cazes moved to Tampa where he entered into private practice in Ob/Gyn.  He has been in private practice for 25 years. Dr. Cazes lives in Tampa, with his wife.  He has four grown children scattered throughout the U.S.

Since early in his medical career, Dr. Cazes has had a passion for teaching.  Over the years, he has taught Students from several different universities in the area.  He has been involved with the education of South University students for the past several years.  In addition to serving as a preceptor during clinical rotations, he also gives didactic lectures throughout the year, and he is involved in the PA program admissions process. 

Dr. Cazes also spends time lecturing throughout the U.S. on a variety of topics, including breast cancer, hereditary cancer screening, endometriosis and pelvic pain, and menopause.  He remains involved with several different clinical trials at his practice site.

Jennifer Pantaleo, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Program Director, Assistant Professor

Ms. Pantaleo joined South University as an Assistant Professor in 2016.  Since that time, she has been active in both didactic and clinical education within the program.  As a graduate of the South University, Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant program class of 2014, Ms. Pantaleo brings more than 7 years of clinical experience specializing in family practice and urgent care.  She has a strong interest in preventative medicine and the management of diabetes mellitus. 

Prior to practicing as a Physician Assistant, Ms. Pantaleo obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a Minor in Public Health from the University of South Florida in 2011. She is a current member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants.  In addition to her regular teaching duties, Ms. Pantaleo has lectured at the state level for the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants and has served as the Student Faculty Liaison for the program.  She is also passionate about speaking to local pre-PA organizations in the Tampa Bay area and serving as a preceptor for pre-PA and PA students on her clinical days.

Diane Butler, MCMS, PA-C
Director of Didactic Education, Assistant Professor

Ms. Butler recently joined the South University, Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program after relocating to the Tampa Bay area in 2020. Originally from South Carolina, she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology. In 2006, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master’s degree in Clinical Medical Sciences from Barry University’s Physician Assistant Program. She has spent the majority of her career as a Physician Assistant practicing in Orthopedic Surgery, most recently as the Lead Advanced Practice Provider at Emory Healthcare’s Orthopedic and Spine Center in Atlanta, GA where she worked for nearly 10 years. 

She has a passion for teaching and has been involved with educating Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner students for several years, serving as both a preceptor and an Adjunct Instructor. Her academic areas of interest are orthopedics, pediatrics and women’s health. She is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA), and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA). In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, traveling and spending time with her husband and 2 sons.

LaBree Hans, MSPAP, PA-C
Director of Admissions, Assistant Professor

Ms. Hans, although originally from Illinois, grew up in the Tampa Bay area. She earned a Bachelor of Science at University of South Florida.  In 2005, she completed her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Practice from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. LaBree has over 14 years of clinical experience in emergency medicine. During this time, she discovered a passion for wilderness and travel medicine, becoming certified in Advance Wilderness Life Support. She has practiced wilderness medicine at a bush clinic in Kenya.

In 2010, she joined the faculty of South University, Tampa as an assistant professor teaching on such topics as emergency medicine, clinical procedures, ethics, radiology, dermatology and rheumatology.  She became the Director of Admission for the program in 2013.  She continues to practice clinically in emergency medicine at one of the trauma centers in Tampa.

Ms. Hans is on the Board of Directors of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA) as the West Central Regional Director. She is also an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS).

LaBree lives in Tampa with her husband and white terrier. She enjoys hobbies such as hiking and travel. 

Ciara Calitri, MPAS, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor 

Ms. Calitri joined the South University, Tampa Physician Assistant Program full time in September of 2021 after working for 8 years in pediatric emergency medicine. She earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant in 2013 from South University, Tampa and worked serving the Tampa Bay community before transitioning into academics. 

Ms. Calitri is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Fordham University earning her Bachelor of Science. Her first position was at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida, followed by positions with St. Joseph’s Hospital Main and South campuses in the Pediatric Emergency Department.  During the global pandemic, Ms. Calitri worked in the Adult Emergency Department for months as a result of changes in patient volumes. She is proud of her alma mater, returning as an Adjunct Professor at South University, Tampa in 2018 and joined the faculty full time in 2021. 

Ms. Calitri is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA), and Society for Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA). She lives in Tampa with her husband and their three children.

 

Travis Reeves, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Mr. Reeves joined the South University, Tampa Physician Assistant Program full time in January of 2022. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Florida in 2014. He is a proud graduate from South University where he earned a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies in 2017. Mr. Reeves has been working in Emergency Medicine for over 5 years in both North Carolina and Tampa, Florida. Currently, he practices in multiple ER’s across the Tampa Bay region.

Mr. Reeves is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves and U.S. Army Reserves. He has served for over 10 years and is currently still serving in the Army Reserves as a Physician Assistant. He deployed to Iraq in 2011 and mobilized stateside during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Reeves lives in the Tampa area with his wife and two sons. He is an avid golfer and is a lifelong fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lighting.

Sherissa Chang-Williams
Assistant Professor

Ms. Chang-Williams joined South University, Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant program in 2023 as an Assistant Professor after originally starting as an Adjunct Professor in October 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 2001 from University of Tampa and Master in Clinical Medical Science degree from Barry University Physician Assistant Program in Miami Shores, Florida in 2006. Initially, she practiced internal medicine and advanced her focus to geriatric medicine in 2012. Over time, her witness to the lack of understanding the needs of the elderly lead to a desire to be an advocate. This also resulted in discovering her teaching interests in post-acute care, palliative care and end-of-life discussions/care. She continues to practice at a nursing home facility in the Tampa Bay area.

Sherissa is a native of Tampa, where she resides with her husband and 2 children. Her interests include serving the community, exercise and travel.

Physician Assistant Program Staff

 

Kaitlyn Blizzard
PA Student Advisor

Katie Blizzard was born and raised in a suburb of Tampa, FL. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and from the University of Alabama with her Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences. She worked in the health and fitness field for almost 10 years as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. 

Ms. Blizzard has a passion for education and began working for the South University, Tampa Physician Assistant Program full-time in November of 2021. She enjoys working with students throughout their time on campus. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Business Administration program through South University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, attending as many football games as she can and spending time outside with her dog.

Wendy Nguyen
Clinical Coordinator

Wendy Nguyen comes from Vietnam and has been living in Tampa, FL for 3 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a concentration in English language and is currently enrolled in a Master of Human Resources program at South University, Tampa. P rior to moving to the United States from Vietnam in 2018, Ms. Nguyen worked as a Curriculum Director in various international schools and English centers in Vietnam. Since 2019, she has worked in the fields of international interpretation, healthcare, and education in the Tampa area. 

Ms. Nguyen joined South University, Tampa in August 2021 at the position of Administrative Assistant & Receptionist and is now the Clinical Coordinator for the Physician Assistant Program.

Alissa T. Fox
Administrative Assistant

Alissa Fox joined South University, Tampa Physician Assistant Program in September of 2022. She has 5 years of healthcare administrative experience with a passion for the small details and helping others.

Ms. Fox was born and raised in a small suburb of Chicago, Illinois. She was awarded an Associates of Applied Science degree from Elgin College in 2015. Alissa then spent three years exploring Arizona before finding her way to the Sunshine State at the end of 2021. She plans to further her administrative career by working towards a Bachelor’s degree with South University in the near future. 

Ms. Fox enjoys cooking and baking, traveling the world, spending time with her dog and watching true crime documentaries in her spare time.

 

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 Master of Science in 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 Master of Science in 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.No text in field]

The following are the program learning outcomes (Graduate Competencies) for the South University Master of Science in 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.