AAPA Congratulates JAAPA’s New Editor-in-Chief Rick Dehn

Dehn, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, Brings 40 Years as PA, Educator to the Role

July 7, 2020

The Journal of the American Academy of PAs (JAAPA) has appointed Richard “Rick” W. Dehn, MPA, PA-C, as Editor-in-Chief. Dehn stepped into his new role on July 1.

A nationally recognized PA scholar and educator with more than 100 published peer-reviewed journal articles, Dehn has served on the JAAPA board since 1998 and has been involved with the journal since 1995 when his first research article, Impediments to the practice of medicine in Iowa, was published in JAAPA.

“Rick is a well-respected, experienced leader who has contributed a great deal to PA education and scholarship,” said AAPA Vice President of Education and Research Daniel Pace. “We are confident that Rick’s history of leadership in the PA profession will help JAAPA continue to evolve and be recognized for its excellence nationally and globally.”

Dehn has more than 35 years of experience as a clinically practicing PA, primarily in family medicine in both rural and urban underserved settings. He also has more than 40 years of experience as a PA educator, including experience as a PA program Assistant Program Director, as a Program Director at a legacy program, and as a founding Program Director. Dehn is currently a tenured Professor in the College of Health and Human Services at Northern Arizona University as well as a Professor of Practice in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

“I look forward to serving as JAAPA’s next Editor-in-Chief, as the profession’s increasing impact as a part of the worldwide healthcare workforce illustrates the value of a respected journal such as JAAPA,” Dehn said. “JAAPA will continue to provide the profession with up-to-date clinical articles, features relevant to clinical practice, articles on important health policy topics, original research, and new features and modes of communicating with our readers.”

Dehn follows Reamer L. Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, DFAAPA, who served as Editor-in-Chief of JAAPA for nine years. Bushardt’s term concluded on December 31, 2019.