Department of PA Studies Research

The Wake Forest School of Medicine Department of PA Studies contains one of the original academic PA programs in the country and has a proven track record of curricular innovation and producing PA leaders.  The Wake Forest PA Studies Research and Scholarship center is guided by a dedicated research and scholarship mission to promote original research conducted by PAs.  Departmental faculty are actively conducting original research to improve educational outcomes among medical learners in addition to improving public health and patient care.

The Research and Scholarship Center

  • Provides technical support for faculty members wishing to disseminate scholarship via presentation or publication
  • Conducts educational scholarship/research 
  • Writes proposals for intramural/extramural funding

Extramurally Funded Projects: 2020-current

  • Stonerook, E. (PI), Eyadiel, L., Peacock, B. (2024-2034). Planting Sequoias: Reimagining Character, Culture, and Identity in Medicine Through Engaged Communities in PA Education. Wake Forest Leadership and Character Grant (Kern Family Foundation).
  • Sheikh. M (PI), Gillette. C (Site PI), Vitolins, M., et al. (2024-2029). Opioid Cohort Consortium (OPICO) to investigate the effects of opioid use on cancer incidence and mortality. National Institute of Health (U01 Grant). 
  • Gillette C. (PI), Rigdon J, Gillette C. (2024-2025) All of Us Epilepsy Research Database Project. Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Foundation Research Scholars.
  • Gillette C. (PI), Debinski B., Wooten R., Bell RA, Foley K., Reuland D, Ostermann J. (2023-2025). AIMEPCCo: American Indian Mens' Experiences with Prostate Cancer Communication: Donaghue Greater Value Portfolio Grant Program. National Cancer Institute. 
  • Gillette, C. (co-PI), Ostermann J. (co-PI), Garvick SJ., Everett C. (2023-2025). AHCRA: Access to Health Care in Rural Appalachia. National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R21 Grant).
  • Saag, K., Gillette, C. (Site PI), Vitolins, M. (2024-2028). RESTORE: Reducing future fractures and Improving outcomes of fragility fracture. PCORI: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
  • Stonerook, E. (2023). Wake Forest University Program for Leadership and Character Faculty Development Grant.
  • Debinski B., Gillette. C., Daniel S., Pulgar, C. (2023). Primary Care Physicians as Social/Behavioral Scientists in Academic Learning Health Systems. National Institute of Health.
  • Gillette, C. (PI), Crandall, SJ., Garvick, SJ., Everett C., Osterman, J. (2022). Using a best-worst scale experiment to identify patient preferences for their primary care provider. Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Research Institute. 
  • Gillette, C. (PI), Kirk, J., Foley, K., Spangler, J., Crandall S., Garvick, SJ., Hildebrandt, CA., Hurley R. (2022). PIPEN: Provider intention for educating patients about naloxone. Wake Forest Clinical Technical Science Institute (CTSI) pilot study.
  • Wooten, R., Gillette, C., Rockich-Winston, N., Wyatt, T., Hildebrandt, CA., Crandall, S. (2020). Professional identify formation in under-represented in medicine physician assistants. Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Research Institute Don Pedersen Grant.