Dr. DeShana Collett on Seeing

Dr. Collett sees the world in a unique way.  She boldly carries her perspective,  expresses her messages with clarity, and celebrates the voices of others.  

For more than 15 years, Dr. DeShana Collett has been committed to academic and professional excellence within the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Collett’s didactic responsibilities include course director for the Clinical Methods and Patient Evaluation and Management courses.   She received her Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy, all from the University of Kentucky. She has more than 18 years of clinical experience in family medicine, and she has a specific interest in women’s health. Her research interest is in health and healthcare disparities, with a focus on the areas of clinical integration of genomics and diversity in precision medicine. 

Dr. Collett is committed to equity and social justice in her positions as Chair of the Senate Rules and Election Committee (SREC), Senate Council member, Senator, and Vice-Chair of the Senate Council.  She has previously held long-term national membership in the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Inclusion & Diversity Council and Chaired the PAEA Cultural Competency Committee for several years. Dr. Collett co-created and facilitated the Minority Faculty Leadership Pando™ workshop for PAEA.  Dr. Collett was a 2016 Fellow for the Bluegrass Consortium Academic Leadership Academy and a participant in the 2021 Women in Executive Leadership Program.   Last year she was selected as a 2021 SEC- Academic Leadership Development Fellow. She serves as Co-Chairs for the University of the African, African American, Native American Affinity Group at the University of Kentucky.   

Dr. Collett is currently serving as Commissioner of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for PAs (ARC-PA).  The ARC-PA is the accrediting agency that protects the interests of the public and PA profession by defining the standards for PA education and evaluating PA educational programs within the territorial United States to ensure their compliance with those standards.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests on this podcast represent their own and their appearance does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.   Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the view of the University of Kentucky or UK Healthcare.