Degrees:

M.P.A.S., University of Nebraska; B.S., Butler University; B.S., Manchester College

 

Biography:

Jen Garrett is the Chair and Program Director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the School of Health Science. Jen grew up in northern Indiana and attended Manchester College for her undergraduate degree in Biology/Chemistry. She then graduated from Butler University in 1999 with her BS in Physician Assistant Studies, and went on to obtain a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from University of Nebraska. She has clinical experience in adult and pediatric bone marrow transplant/oncology, adult and pediatric gastroenterology and adult abdominal solid organ transplant. She currently volunteers at the Good Samaritan Free Clinic in primary care.

Jen started in PA education in 2019, moved into the Clinical Director role in 2020, and was promoted to Program Director in 2023. She is the course director for the Clinical Decision Making course and co-director of the Healer’s Art course which was started in 2022 for didactic year students. She was the faculty advisor for SOPASS (Sister O’Connell Physician Assistant Student Society) from 2019-2022.

Jen lives in Over the Rhine with her husband, daughter, dog and special needs guinea pig. She volunteers with her dog Mabel as a pet therapy team, visiting nursing homes, high schools, and of course, the PA students. She loves reading historical fiction, jigsaw puzzles, quilting, photography, and traveling.