Whitney appointed accreditation commissioner for national physician assistant education organization

Larissa Whitney, DBA, MHS, PA-C, assistant dean and program director of the Physician Assistant (PA) Program and assistant professor of emergency medicine, has been selected to serve a three-year term as a commissioner with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Her appointment begins in January 2026.

Whitney will join a select group of fewer than 30 national leaders who are highly dedicated to shaping the future of PA education and accreditation across the country.

The ARC-PA is the independent accrediting agency that defines standards for PA education and evaluates PA programs to ensure compliance. Through its peer review and site visit process, the commission encourages excellence, innovation and continuous improvement in PA education, ultimately safeguarding the interests of both the public and the profession.

As an ARC-PA commissioner, Whitney will contribute to setting and upholding the standards that guide PA education nationwide. Her leadership reflects both her commitment to advancing the profession and the strength of the College of Medicine’s PA Program.

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