Clinical Coordinator, Physician Assistant Program

School of Health Professions

Ellie earned a BA in History and English Literature from UC Irvine. After gaining eclectic experience in the private sector, she returned to academia to pursue a master’s in English Literature from CSU Long Beach, followed by an MA and PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa.

Ellie’s academic journey inspired a commitment to student support. At Iowa State University, she served as Graduate Program Coordinator for Materials Science and Engineering, managing advising, admissions, monitoring lab placements, and event planning. She later joined the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures in upstate New York as Program Coordinator, where she organized events, edited Institute publications, and supported student internship placements.

Weary of snow and ice, Ellie relocated to the charming desert city of Tucson. For approximately three years, she served as the Doctoral Advisor for the College of Nursing, where she provided academic guidance to DNP and PhD students. Ellie found joy in assisting students navigate department, Graduate College, and University policies and requirements; she played a key role in fostering a supportive and inclusive academic environment.

Ellie joined the School of Health Professions as the Clinical Placement Coordinator for the PA program in December of 2024. As Coordinator – in partnership with the Director of Clinical Education – Ellie is responsible for managing student placements across diverse healthcare settings, recruiting preceptors for clinical education, and securing and maintaining relationships with clinical partners. In addition to her operational duties, Ellie plays an integral role in supporting the program’s successful accreditation efforts by preparing documentation and aligning clinical experiences with national standards.

Outside of work, Ellie loves taking long rambling walks (when it’s not 110 outside), the poetry of Joy Harjo and Audre Lorde, and novels written by Jenny Colgan. Her not-so-guilty pleasures include the Great British Bake Off and mystery novels by Phyllis A. Whitney.