Randy D. Danielsen, Ph.D., PA, DFAAPA
Dr. Danielsen is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of professional development for faculty, Accreditation Review Commission-PAs, and academic writing for various publications and research articles. Recognized as a distinguished academic administrator, clinician, educator, author, and editor, Dr. Danielsen offers a broad range of expertise as a lead online instructor for AAL’s Compass Program for Academic Advancement.
In addition to his role at AAL, Dr. Danielsen is Director of the Doctor of Medical Science Program at Arizona School of Health Sciences. Dr. Danielsen graduated from the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program (UPAP) in 1974 and received his bachelor’s in health science (cum laude) from the University of Utah in 1978, his master’s in PA studies from the University of Nebraska with an emphasis on internal medicine in 1997, and his doctorate in interdisciplinary arts and sciences from the Union Institute & University in 2003, with an emphasis on medical education. He completed 16 years with A.T. Still University as Academic Coordinator (1995-1997) and Chair of Physician Assistant Studies (1997-2004), and was the Inaugural Dean of the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS; 2004-2010), returning as Dean in 2012. He was honored in 2010 by A.T. Still University with Professor Emeritus status.
He has served on the board of directors of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and as a board member and Chair for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). From 2010 to 2012, he served as Senior Vice President for the NCCPA Health Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that designs solutions for improving the capacity of certified PAs to impact quality and accessibility of healthcare delivery. Dr. Danielsen has been a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission since 2009 and in 2014 completed the Advanced Certificate in Peer Review.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Danielson served as President of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants (UAPA) and the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants (ASAPA), and as Chair of the Arizona Regulatory Board for PAs. Retired after 28 years of service in the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Danielsen also is former President of the AAPA Veterans Caucus and was honored with the Caucus’ Civilian PA of the Year Award in 2003. Dr. Danielsen was named Outstanding PA of the Year by the AAPA in 1993 and by ASAPA in 2011. In 2012, he was honored by the University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of Physician Assistant Studies with the Patron of the Profession award for “unwavering dedication and service to the Physician Assistant Profession.” In May 2015, he received the Eugene A. Stead Award of Achievement by the AAPA. This is the Academy’s most prestigious award, recognizing an individual for lifetime achievement that has had a broad and significant impact on the profession.
He currently serves as PA Editor-in-Chief for Clinician Reviews, a peer-reviewed professional journal for both PAs and nurse practitioners. Dr. Danielsen has published more than 17 peer-reviewed articles, 30 journal editorials, five book chapters, and his first co-authored book, entitled The Preceptor’s Handbook for Supervising Physician Assistants, published by Jones & Bartlett Learning. Dr. Danielsen is also a proud member of Rotary International.
