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The department chair/program director is responsible for the oversight and operation of the PA program. The chair/director participates in the development of the didactic and clinical aspects of the program as well as being responsible for the faculty and staff. The position also encompasses participation in management-level committees within the University.

Dr. Whitney Balmert is a board-certified Physician Assistant with over 15 years of pediatric clinical experience and a strong commitment to medical education. Since 2018, she has worked in academia, serving as clinical director for the past 7 years for the Advent Health University Physician Assistant Program. In this role, she oversaw the clinical phase of the curriculum, ensured ARC-PA compliance, and mentored both students and faculty.

Dr. Balmert holds a Doctor of Medical Science in Education from the University of Lynchburg and a Master of Medical Science from Nova Southeastern University. Her clinical background includes pediatric inpatient, outpatient, and urgent care, and she continues to practice in pediatric urgent care settings. Throughout her academic and clinical career, Dr. Balmert has been actively involved in curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and scholarly work. She has presented nationally on professionalism in medical education and authored a doctoral project examining the long-term impact of professionalism training in PA programs.

Rooted in a mission of compassionate, service-oriented care, Dr. Balmert integrates her clinical expertise and faith-based values into her teaching and leadership.