Master of Science - Physician Assistant Program
Claire O'Connell - Associate Professor
Ms. O'Connell joined the faculty in 1990.
She is a 1982 graduate (summa cum laud) of Nasson College, Springvale, Maine
where she earned a baccalaureate degree in Psychology and Biology. She graduated
from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and
Rutgers University (RU) Physician Assistant Program in 1987 where she received
the award for academic excellence and the Wallace Laboratories Physician Assistant
Student of the Year award. Ms. O'Connell worked for 2 1/2 years as a family
practice physician assistant in the Pocono area of Pennsylvania before joining
the faculty of the UMDNJ PA Program. Ms. O'Connell has earned a Master's in
Public Health from UMDNJ/RU in 1995.
Ms. O'Connell directs the Clinical Medicine
Lecture Series each fall. She brings a public health perspective to the program
through her instruction in the Health Maintenance course. She participates
in several areas of small group instruction including Medical Interviewing,
Case Based Learning, Professionalism, and Physical Diagnosis. She also participates
in several lab sessions that involve clinical skill building.
Ms. O'Connell is active on several committees
within the University. She has been active in several roles for the New Jersey
State Society of Physician Assistants (NJSSPA) since 1988 culminating in presidency
from 1996-1999. During this time she was instrumental in obtaining legislature
to allow physician delegation of prescriptive authority to physician assistants
working in the outpatient setting and facilitated the first annual CMS Conference
for PAs in New Jersey. She was also an original trustee of the New Jersey
Physician Assisant Foundation (NJPAF). She received the PA of the Year award
in 2000.
Ms. O'Connell also serves as the Project
Director for the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) GRADRAT
(Graduate Review Assessment Tool) Committee overseeing an annual exam for
physician assistants preparing for re-certification. She has authored numerous
articles and textbook chapters and is the co-editor of Primary Care for
Physician Assistants Self-Assessment and Review, 2nd edition.
Ms. O'Connell works clinically through
the UMDNJ PA Faculty Practice at Pleasant Run Family Physicians in Flemington,
NJ. She is also active in many community organizations including the Mount
Olive Family Life Committee and the Morris Area Girl Scouts.
