Faculty and Staff Information
Chair: Amy Elizabeth Baker, DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C
Education: Philadelphia University: B.S. Health Sciences, M.S. Physician Assistant Studies, University of Pittsburgh: Doctorate Medical Sciences
Background: Amy graduated from the former Philadelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson University, Physician Assistant Program. She completed an accelerated 5-year degree there after being introduced to the PA profession by a beloved high school biology teacher. After PA school, she worked in a family practice PA before joining her alma mater, first as an adjunct, then as a full-time faculty member from 2005-2020. She served as the Senior Associate PA Program Director of the TJU East Falls and New Jersey programs from 2013-2020 where she oversaw the pre-PA program, served as the Health Sciences program director, oversaw the successful reaccreditation of the program in 2018, and navigated an institutional merger. She joined the West Chester PA Program in 2020 as the inaugural program director. She has been involved in all aspects of PA education in both the didactic and clinical years and has worked on various university committees, with a focus on curriculum and assessment of student learning. She has taught several courses, her favorites of which include: Pathophysiology, Clinical Medicine, Women's Health, Pediatrics, and Clinical Reasoning. She continues to work clinically with Penn Medicine as a primary care PA. Her interests include hiking, swimming, and spending time with her husband and 3 children.
Director of Clinical Education and Associate Program Director: Paul D. Bradford, MEd, M.M.S, PA-C
Education: B.A. – Psychology, Villanova University; M.Ed. – Education, University of Notre Dame; M.M.S – Physician Assistant Studies, Arcadia University
Background: Paul has been working full-time in physician assistant education since 2009. Most of that time has been focused on developing experiential learning opportunities for PA students, as well as preparing and supporting PA students to have excellent learning experiences during their clinical rotations. He has also served as a preceptor and is often invited to present at regional and national conferences. He enjoys frequent guest instruction at local universities, including Arcadia University, University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph's University, Salus University, and Thomas Jefferson University.
Prior to serving as the Founding Director of Clinical Education at West Chester, he served as Senior Director of Clinical Education for Philadelphia University's East Falls and New Jersey campuses. He was instrumental in site development when the program expanded to include a New Jersey campus and then when the program grew after the merger with Thomas Jefferson University. He was a middle school English teacher before graduating from Arcadia's PA program in 2005. After graduation, he worked in emergency medicine and pediatric orthopedics. He continues to practice pediatric orthopedics as a PA at CHOP.
Director of Didactic Education: Jennifer L. Anderson, M.S., PA-C
Education: West Chester University B.S.Ed. Secondary Biology Education; Philadelphia University, M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies
Background: Jen is excited to return to West Chester where she completed her B.S. in Secondary Education before graduating from Philadelphia University with her M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies in 2004. She worked clinically as inpatient internal medicine PA for many years before returning to teach at Thomas Jefferson University. She progressed from faculty to Director of Didactic Education where she acted as academic coordinator, interfaced with adjuncts and guest lecturers, and oversaw the scheduling of the program's didactic components. She has also taught many courses including Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine, Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology, and Clinical Disciplines Overview. She is a strong advocate for students and has been involved in the Student Association of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She continues to work clinically at Jefferson's Methodist Hospital in internal medicine and critical care. She is excited to develop curriculum from the ground up and work closely with students in a new program at her alma mater.
Assistant Professor: Patrick Heagey, MPAS, PA-C
Education: Lock Haven University, B.S. Health Science/Athletic Training; King's College, M.S. Physician Assistant Studies
Background: Pat has been a practicing PA since 2009 following graduation from King's College PA Program. He practiced Emergency Medicine early on, though now he remains clinically active as Trauma and Acute Care Surgery PA at Paoli Hospital since 2013. Thankful for his mentors as a PA student and practicing PA, Pat aspired to find the right opportunity to teach and mentor the next generation of PA students. As an educator, Pat has mentored and educated clinical year students as a preceptor since 2014, served as an adjunct faculty member at Arcadia University's PA program (2017-2021), all before transitioning to a full-time teaching position at WCU's PA Program with the start of the program's inaugural cohort in the fall of 2021. He is proud to be a part of the PA faculty team at WCU and takes great pride in helping to develop and evolve our program from its infancy to the present day. Pat primarily teaches during the didactic phase of the program and takes particular interest in the creation and facilitation of simulation activities, case-based labs, and ultrasound training (POCUS). He takes great pride in his students' success and thoroughly enjoys guiding them through the transition from PA student to PA-C. Pat believes strongly in the training of highly competent clinicians but also in the importance in creating lasting relationships and future PA leaders, all of which is paramount to meet the demands of today's health care arena and for the future of the PA profession. Pat lives locally in the West Chester community with his family including 3 kids and their dog, Haven. In his free time, Pat enjoys spending time with his family at their sports and activities, all things PSU football, exploring the local restaurant scene, and travel.
Assistant Professor: Laura Santanna Lonergan, MHS, PA-C
Education: Saint Joseph's University, BS Interdisciplinary Health Services; Drexel University, MHS Master of Health Services
Background: Since graduating from Drexel's PA Program in 2005, Laura has been a practicing PA in the surrounding area, most of that time as clinically practicing Emergency Medicine PA. She currently volunteers as a primary care physician assistant at Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) and values the opportunity to provide quality healthcare to her patients. Laura was an adjunct professor at Jefferson's PA Program for 7 years before coming to West Chester University full time in the Fall of 2021. During these years of educating PA students, she learned that her ability to impact and build relationships with future PAs was such an important part of service to her profession. She loves helping students develop not only academically, but professionally as well. In her free time, she loves being with her 2 children, her cats, and her friends and family. Laura is currently working on obtaining her Doctor of Medical Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She is using this opportunity to help further her passion of educating PA students on the long-term, harmful effects of adverse childhood experience.
Assistant Professor/Clinical Faculty: Renee Hammoud, MMS, PA-C
Education: Penn State University, Schreyer Honors College, B.S. Secondary Education; Arcadia University, M.M.S. Physician Assistant Studies
Background: Renee attended Penn State University for her bachelor's degree, earning a degree in Secondary Education with an English/Communications Concentration. During her senior year at Penn State, she took a Wilderness First Responder course and developed a passion for medicine. She taught English and Gifted Support education for a period of six years prior to attending Arcadia University to earn her Masters in Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2018. Her background clinical experience includes emergency medicine and cardiology. Renee continues to practice clinically in cardiology at Bryn Mawr Medical Specialists Association with a specialized interest in culinary medicine and preventive care. She brings to the WCU program her prior experience in education and curriculum development and was previously involved in the interview committee for WCU's PA program. She is passionate about guiding students during their clinical year and providing them with a high-quality clinical experience. Outside of her academic and clinical work, Renee enjoys spending time with her friends and family, as well as cooking, travelling and spending time outdoors.
Contact the PA Program at PAProgram@wcupa.edu