School of Health Professions’ Tessa Tibben named to national board

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Tessa Tibben, DHSc, MSPAS, PA-C, director of didactic education and an associate clinical professor in the developing Physician Assistant Program at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health School of Health Professions, is a new member of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Health Foundation Board of Directors.

Tibben, who joined the U of A last year, has a three-year term on the board. As a member, she will help identify strategic priorities that strengthen physician assistant-led care, expand access to health services and promote health equity.

Tibben said it’s a meaningful role since she’s already seen firsthand the impact the foundation can have. Before coming to the university, Tibben had the opportunity to work on a community-led project, funded through the foundation, that worked with the unsheltered population in Phoenix.

“I am genuinely excited to contribute to its mission as a board member,” she said.

The foundation, which is a national organization, brings together board-certified PAs, PA students, health care leaders and interprofessional partners to advance whole-person care across diverse clinical settings.

Tibben said she especially values the foundation’s wide reach and its commitment to person-centered care.

“The board’s work is extensive, from developing educational resources to supporting and disseminating profession-driven research and engaging in national initiatives that integrate oral health, mental health and professional practice into PA education and clinical care,” Tibben said. “This is deeply aligned with my professional values and the work we are doing within our developing PA program here at the U of A.”