Maureen Knechtel, Milligan associate professor of physician assistant studies, was awarded PA Educator of the Year at the 2021 Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants conference. The TAPA conference is a networking opportunity for PA’s across the state of Tennessee and is held annually every fall in Gatlinburg.
According to Knechtel, this award is based on nominations from both the educators’ students and coworkers along with career accomplishments, community service, and committees served on.
“The educator of the year award wouldn’t be possible without the help and support from my fellow coworkers and students,” said Knechtel, “and for that, they definitely deserve a shoutout, I’m very thankful for them.”
Knechtel did not expect to win the award, but was pleasantly surprised when the letter came in the mail.
“It’s a once a year award, I don’t think I thought about it, or that it applied to me,” Knechtel said. “I was very humbled and honored when I found out.”
Knechtel, whose career has primarily focused on cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology, has also written EKG (electrocardiogram) and medical textbooks.
“I got into medical writing during my prospecting time, which is where you get paired with a provider in the beginning of your career,” said Knechtel.
“I’ve written a seven book series for my students which includes one book per every clinical rotation. The books help prepare students for their rotations and includes things like common diagnosis and approaches to patients”
Along with being an associate professor, Knechtel also serves as a PA with Ballad Health.
“Juggling the two is busy work, but as instructors we do get clinical release time which allows us to stay updated in our field,” said Knechtel. “This is extremely helpful when I’m teaching my students.”