Pictured above, from left to right: Dr. Michael Johnson, Medical Director; Carlous Hudspeth, PA Program Coordinator/Admissions Specialist; Jennifer Boyett, Program Director; Lauren Wilson, Director of Evaluation and Assessment; Allison Garrison, Director of Didactic Education; Amanda Odom, Director of Clinical Education.
When you’re considering a rigorous program as meaningful as Physician Assistant studies, the people who walk beside you and guide you throughout the program matter just as much as the curriculum.
At Southern Nazarene University (SNU), students in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program will be supported by a team of experienced clinicians, educators, and mentors who are deeply committed to both excellence and compassion in healthcare.
Let’s meet the team.
The Physician Assistant Program at SNU is led by Program Director Jennifer Boyett. With more than a decade of clinical experience in family medicine and urgent care, along with an extensive background in PA education, she brings both expertise and a deep commitment to student success.
Before joining SNU, Jennifer served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Physician Assistant Program, where she contributed to both didactic and clinical education and served as Director of Student Affairs. Her excellence in teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including the PA Faculty of the Year Award and the Dewayne Andrews, MD Excellence in Teaching Award.
Jennifer’s passion for this field is rooted in both science and service.
“I became a physician assistant because I wanted to combine my love of science with my desire to serve people,” she explains.
As Program Director, she is intentional about building a learning environment that supports both academic rigor and personal growth.
“The most valuable element of our program is the supportive, student-centered environment,” she says. “We combine rigorous medical education with a commitment to Christlike service.
She encourages students to stay grounded in their purpose as they navigate the challenges of PA school:
“Know your ‘why’ and let it guide you through the journey…make time for your own wellness, because caring for yourself allows you to care well for others.”
Jennifer is especially excited to help launch this program and invest in its first cohort of students.
“It is a special opportunity to help shape the future of PA education, and we are excited to see the impact our graduates will make.”
To learn more about Jennifer’s background, teaching philosophy, and vision for the program, read our full Meet the Program Director feature.
Allison Garrison brings over two decades of experience in family medicine, academic instruction, and professional advocacy to her role. As Director of Didactic Education, she leads curriculum development, accreditation processes, and faculty collaboration.
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center PA Program, Allison has served in multiple leadership roles within the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants (OAPA), including President, and has been recognized with both the OAPA Advocacy Award and PA of the Year honors.
What truly sets her apart is her vision for the student experience.
“I believe the most valuable element of our program is our culture,” Allison explains. “We hold high academic standards and expect students to rise to the rigor of a systems-based curriculum designed to build strong diagnostic reasoning, clinical judgement, and practice readiness. But we are equally committed to developing reflective, ethical, and service-oriented professionals. We believe skill and character must develop together.
Our culture is what makes that integration possible. Students are not anonymous in our program — they are known personally. Faculty mentor them closely, challenge them thoughtfully, and walk alongside them through both academic and personal growth. We cultivate humility, resilience, integrity, and a commitment to lifelong learning and service.
We also intentionally support students with structured resources to help them succeed. From dedicated faculty mentorship to curated study resources, exam preparation resources, and comprehensive board preparation strategies, we create an environment where students are both challenged and equipped. Our goal is not just graduation, it is confident, competent, and compassionate practice readiness.
Culture shapes professional identity. And professional identity shapes patient care. That is what distinguishes our program.”
Allison is especially passionate about helping students develop not just as clinicians, but as professionals.
“Students succeed when they take ownership of their development,” she says. “We provide the structure, the mentorship, and the resources. The student must bring the discipline, humility, and perseverance. When those pieces come together, growth happens.”
Her favorite course to teach reflects that focus:
“My favorite course to teach is PA Practice because it sits at the intersection of knowledge and vocation.
While many courses focus on medical knowledge and clinical reasoning, PA Practice focuses on professional identity. It's about how students become PAs, not just what they know. In this course, we discuss professionalism, documentation, billing and coding, healthcare systems, advocacy, ethical responsibility, and the realities of practice.
I love teaching it because it allows me to mentor students in the aspects of medicine that shape longevity and integrity in the profession. It’s where we talk about servant leadership, resilience, teamwork, and stewardship of responsibility.”
At the heart of it all is her purpose.
“My professional calling is rooted in my faith. I view both medicine and medical education as ministry,” Allison says.
With more than 30 years in healthcare, including 26 years as a practicing PA, Amanda Odom brings a wealth of real-world experience into the classroom and clinical settings.
She began her career as a nurse before becoming a physician assistant and has spent the past 13 years in PA education, combining her passion for patient care with her commitment to training the next generation.
“The most valuable element of our program is our faculty,” Amanda says. “Every faculty member is deeply committed to training future physician assistants and genuinely cares about student success.”
Amanda plays a key role in overseeing clinical rotations, helping students bridge the gap between classroom learning and hands-on patient care.
“Students succeed when they come into the program mentally prepared for the rigor and pace of training,” she explains. “Students who are prepared, stay organized, ask for help when needed, and support one another will thrive in our program.”
She especially loves teaching hands-on skills:
“I especially enjoy teaching physical examination skills and procedures such as suturing, casting, and injections…Seeing those ‘light bulb’ moments is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching for me.”
And she doesn’t shy away from being honest with prospective students:
“The training process is intense…but for students who are prepared and motivated, it is incredibly rewarding.”
What drives her work is both deeply personal and faith-centered.
“I chose the PA profession because I wanted to work in partnership with patients to improve their health and quality of life,” Amanda says. “I also believe healthcare provides a unique opportunity to reflect Christ’s example of service and compassion.”
Lauren Wilson brings experience in family medicine and a passion for student development to her role overseeing program evaluation and assessment.
Before joining SNU, she practiced family medicine for six years, during which time she also served as a preceptor. This experience sparked her love for teaching.
“The most valuable element of our program is our faculty and our devotion to students,” Lauren explains. “We are committed not only to teaching future students how to become excellent physician assistants, but also to teaching with faith in mind and supporting student wellness as they navigate the rigorous nature of PA education. This creates a learning environment where students feel supported and prepared for the responsibility of caring for others.”
In her current role, Lauren helps ensure the program continues to grow, meet accreditation standards, and deliver a high-quality educational experience.
“Students will succeed in our program by being committed to the process and willing to learn each day…Success will also come from supporting their classmates and learning alongside one another.”
Lauren is especially excited about helping students connect knowledge to practice.
“I am most excited to teach in our Clinical Correlations courses because they will allow us to step outside of the lecture setting and focus on applying what students are learning,” she says. “Through hands-on activities such as case studies and simulated patient encounters, we will work with students as they begin developing their clinical reasoning and confidence. I am especially looking forward to being part of that stage, as students begin to see how everything comes together in patient care.”
Her “why” reflects a deep calling to both medicine and mentorship:
“I believe this profession is a way to live out our faith by caring for others and reflecting Christ’s love through our work…My hope is to help students not only become excellent clinicians, but providers who approach each patient with humility, empathy, and a heart to serve.”
Dr. Michael Johnson serves as the Medical Director for the PA program, bringing extensive leadership experience across healthcare systems and medical education.
He currently serves as the Chief of Medical and Outpatient Services and the Chief Medical Officer at Bethany Children’s Health Center, a specialized pediatric health system serving children with complex medical needs. He is board-certified in multiple areas, including Pediatrics and Healthcare Administration, and remains actively involved in teaching, coaching, and mentoring.
Dr. Johnson believes that the most valuable element of SNU’s PA program is, “the unique combination of clinical/academic excellence and a warm, supportive, compassionate culture.”
He emphasizes the kind of character that leads to success:
“Patrick Lencioni developed a model called “The Ideal Team Player,” he explains. “Strong team players have three virtues: they’re 1) humble, 2) hungry, and 3) relationally smart. I believe this also applies to students in our program.”
His advice for success is simple:
“Find where your passion, joy, and purpose converge, and follow that path. It's where you will be most fulfilled.”
And his purpose is clear:
“My ‘why’ is to form clinically excellent, deeply grounded healthcare professionals who see their work not just as a career, but as a calling to serve with competence, compassion, and integrity.”
As Program Coordinator and Admissions Specialist for the Physician Assistant program, Carlous Hudspeth plays a key role in supporting both prospective and current students from their very first interaction with the program.
Working closely with program leadership, she will help guide students through the admissions process while also ensuring the day-to-day operations of the program run smoothly.
"As a Program Coordinator and Admissions Specialist, I act as the main point of contact for the PA program, offering guidance and support throughout the admissions process,” Carlous explains. “I also support prospective students, faculty, and enrollment counselors by ensuring daily operations run smoothly. In addition, the program director and I oversee the completion of applicant files and coordinate interview scheduling and interview day logistics, ensuring a well-organized and efficient admissions experience.”
From coordinating interview days to assisting students and faculty, Carlous helps create a seamless and supportive environment from the start.
Her motivation is rooted in walking alongside students throughout their journey:
“My motivation comes from helping students achieve their dreams, supporting them throughout their journey from the start of the program to seeing them walk across the stage at graduation, and celebrating with them as they pass the PANCE and officially become Physician Assistants.”
She encourages students to enter the program with both awareness and intention, ensuring applicants understand the responsibilities of a Physician Assistant and the strategies for success in PA school.
And when challenges arise, students can count on her steady support:
“I will support students in any way possible (within my role) by sharing resources, offering words of encouragement to keep them motivated, guiding the students to connect with their faculty mentor, and suggesting forming a buddy study partnership for additional support and/or tutoring.”
For Carlous, one of the most meaningful parts of her role is the people she serves alongside each day. She says her favorite part of being on the PA team is “enjoying the opportunity to support students while working alongside a dedicated, outgoing, experienced team of Physician Assistants.”
The Physician Assistant Program at SNU is more than a pathway to a career. It is a community focused on equipping competent and compassionate medical providers.
From the classroom to the clinic, this team is committed to walking alongside students as they grow in knowledge, skill, and purpose. With a foundation rooted in faith, mentorship, and excellence, students are prepared not only to succeed in medicine but to serve others with compassion and integrity.
Applications for the PA program open April 1, 2026. If you’re feeling called to this field, now is the time to take that next step.
For more information about requirements, timelines, and how to apply, please see the Admissions section of the SNU Physician Assistant program page.
SNU has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). SNU anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2027, pending receiving Accreditation-Provisional status at the October 2026 ARC-PA meeting.
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
SNU is making every effort to meet all ARC-PA accreditation standards for the purposes of achieving Accreditation Provisional status. In the event that ARC-PA does not award Accreditation Provisional status to the program, SNU will not matriculate students. All applicants will be notified, and SNU will refund money received directly from the student: specifically, university application fees, seat deposit fees, and tuition. SNU will not refund costs associated with onsite interviewing with the program.
Pending accreditation provisional approval, SNU PA program graduates will be eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and subsequently qualify for application for licensure in all U.S. states and territories. Some states may have additional requirements for licensure separate from the PA education. Individual graduates are responsible for achieving state-specific requirements not specific to PA training.