Jesse Edwards, MS, Physician Assistant Program, School of Allied Health Professions, died yesterday. Details for services are in this UNMC Today article.
Jesse joined UNMC in 1968, upon his retirement from the military. He served initially as associate to the dean for business affairs in the College of Medicine, and after starting UNMC’s physician assistant program he served for several years as the associate program director. Mr. Edwards is credited with having developed the physician assistant profession in the state of Nebraska.
He served as both president and vice president of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and established its liaison relationship with the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. In 2007, Edwards was the first recipient of the PAEA Presidential Award. He was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Veterans Caucus of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Edwards retired from in 2008 after 40 years of service to UNMC.