UOPX faculty Dr. James Jones receives 2025 PA of the Year Award from AAPA

University of Phoenix College of Health Professions celebrates the recognition of Colonel James Jones, Ph.D., PA-C, associate faculty, as the recipient of the 2025 Physician Assistant of the Year Award, by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), for his significant contributions to military medicine, public health initiatives, and the advancement of the PA profession.

“Dr. Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the classroom and our working adult students’ experience,” states Mark Johannsson, DHSc, MPH, dean, College of Health Professions. “He has a deep understanding and commitment to the patient experience in military and civilian settings, and we are enormously proud to have him as a leader and inspiration in our community.”

The PA of the Year Award honors PAs who demonstrate exemplary service to the community; exemplify the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible, quality healthcare to all; and furthers the image of the profession in a positive, meaningful way.

Jones’ career spans multiple leadership roles within military and civilian healthcare systems, as well as academic institutions during his 36 years of military service. In 2024, Jones served as the 11th PA Consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General, Director of the Medical Capability Development Integration Directorate, and Commander of the Public Health Command West at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. In 2025, Jones was appointed Director of Executive Medicine for the National Capital Region, where he oversees the medical care and health preparedness of senior leaders while leading a multidisciplinary team responsible for comprehensive medical planning and dignitary support in both domestic and international settings.

Jones earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree with specialization in Family Medicine from the University of Nebraska and later graduated with a Ph.D. in Health Science and a major in International Research and Education from Trident University, CA. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, completed a tactical medical officer fellowship at the White House and a Protective Medicine Fellowship with a focus in cardiopulmonary critical care resuscitation at the Mayo Clinic, Phoenix AZ.

At University of Phoenix, Jones is an instructor and associate faculty in the College of Health Professions, teaching courses in the Master of Health Administration and Master of Public Health degree programs. He is an advisor on course content and revisions, as well as informing the degree programs’ development and updates.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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