School of Health Professions

Melanie “MJ” Ellis brings over three decades of leadership and clinical experience as a physician assistant in both military and academic settings. She joined the University of Arizona in 2023 and now serves as the Program Director.

MJ began her PA career through the United States Air Force and has held numerous leadership roles throughout her service. These include Clinical Coordinator for the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP), Medical Director for both the Surgical Service and Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice Programs at Andrews Air Force Base, and Flight Medicine PA for the elite Priority Air Transport Unit. Notably, she was the first PA appointed to NATO Headquarters’ Medical Plans and Operations team.

Before joining the University of Arizona, MJ served as Program Director for IPAP at Fort Sam Houston, Texas—the largest PA program in the world. In recognition of her contributions to PA education and military medicine, she has received multiple honors, including the Federal Service PA of the Year award, the Order of Military Medical Merit, and designation as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates.

In addition to her academic and clinical leadership, MJ currently serves as Chair of the Physician Assistant Education Association Leadership Mission Advancement Commission (PAEA LMAC), where she leads national efforts to cultivate leadership development among PA educators.

Outside of work, MJ is an avid traveler, quilter, and thimble collector. She has visited all seven continents and continues to seek out new places to explore.