As a pioneer in her field, Professor Ruth Ballweg was one of the first physician assistants to receive formal training in southern Oregon. Attributing her success to her family, her mentors, and her various colleagues over the years, Ms. Ballweg began her career in 1978 after graduating from the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington. Academically, she holds a Bachelor of Science in sociology and a Bachelor of Arts, both from Southern Oregon University. She became the director of the physician assistant program at MEDEX from 1985 to 2014, and is now Professor Emeritus at the institution. During her tenure, she received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington in 1997, as well as an honorary Doctor of Laws from Barry University in 1999. Ms. Ballweg was licensed as a Physician Assistant by the State Boards of Medical Licensing in Oregon and Washington. She is currently a PA-C Emeritus by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Still active in her field, Ms. Ballweg has held a number of editorial roles, including serving as Co-Editor for the 50th Anniversary Series published by the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She has also led a number of other editorial boards and boards of professional organizations and health systems. Previously, she edited and contributed to the first American textbook used for physician assistant training. In addition, Ms. Ballweg has been serving as the director of international affairs
for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants since 2004, where she is able to promote the development of the physician assistant profession to governments and institutions in places such as the New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, India and Israel. Notably, she is also the historian for the Physician Assistant History Society. Throughout her career, Ms. Ballweg has been most proud of the accolades and honors she has received in recognition of her excellence.
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