Faculty and Staff

Justina Bennett, MPAS, PA-C

Principal Faculty

Justina completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio.  She then pursued her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA graduating in 2007.  She spent three years in family practice and then transitioned to Internal Medicine.  Primary care has been one of the greatest privileges of her life.  She enjoys establishing ongoing relationships with her patients, addressing their acute illnesses, monitoring/treating/celebrating victories regarding ongoing chronic conditions and educating patients on a healthy lifestyle.

She has spent the last 3 years staying at home full-time with her 2 small children and has worked harder than ever before.  She fits in yoga and bike riding when she can.  She is excited to enter into the academic world and be a part of training physician assistants to be the first point of contact for patients on the road to wellness and good health.  



Kerry Birney

Kerry Birney, MSHS, PA-C

Director of Didactic Education
Assistant Professor of PA Medicine

Kerry Birney is an emergency medicine clinician with an educator’s heart. She began her career as a firefighter/paramedic and worked in both volunteer and career roles in Montgomery County, Maryland prior to becoming a physician assistant at George Washington University. She also spent time in the Air Force Reserve as an aeromedical evacuation technician at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

After graduating as a physician assistant, she learned the essentials of practicing as an emergency medicine provider from outstanding PA colleagues and supervising physicians in hospitals all over Maryland. After a few years of practice, she began to “pay it forward” by taking on preceptor and mentor roles for other Advanced Practice Clinicians. She developed continuing medical education for colleagues in the form of presentations and podcasts. She took her first full-time role as a physician assistant educator in 2019.

Kerry continues to practice in emergency medicine part-time while balancing being a mom to three energetic kids and partner to a firefighter. She has a passion for innovation in education, engaging current and future colleagues in meaningful work, and improving the patient experience. She strives to be a patient-centered PA, a student-centered educator, and a life-long learner.

 



Daniel Champigny

Daniel Champigny, MPAS, PA-C

Director of Student Affairs 
Assistant Professor of PA Medicine

Dan has been a physician assistant for six years, practicing in family medicine and urgent care before transitioning into full time academia. Prior to PA school, he worked as a firefighter and an EMT. Dan’s passions in the clinical realm include preventive care, pediatrics, and concussion management. Prior to coming to Frostburg State University Department of PA Medicine, Dan also worked privately doing board review for physician assistant and nurse practitioner students across the country, emphasizing not only didactic content, but test strategies and positive mindset training to improve academic success.

In his role at Frostburg, Dan is the course director for Patient Assessment and Diagnostic Methods, a course designed to teach students how to perform physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory testing, interpret imaging, and much more. He is also a lecturer in the Clinical Medicine Course and has a special interest in specifically mentoring students through the PANCE Examination. He is also the Department Chair for our Admissions Committee and strives to create an inclusive, holistic and diverse admissions process. 

Professor Champigny is also the coach for the Frostburg PA Program Challenge Bowl team, a national (friendly) competition that is a jeopardy style medical question quiz bowl between PA Programs. Dan is married to his wife Kate, a fellow family medicine physician assistant. In his spare time, he enjoys trail running, hiking, and tending to his garden.

 



Barbra Dixon

Barbra Dixon

Clinical Coordinator

Barb is the Clinical Coordinator for the PA Program at Frostburg State University.  She is a driven, energetic professional with 30 years combined experience in HR leadership, real estate sales, and a medical and paralegal background.  Prior to joining the PA Program, she served as a nursing department admin assistant with a robust focus on the full clinical experience for disabled adults from assessment to case management.  She is eager to participate in the academic realm to ensure that each student obtains the clinical experiences that will prepare them for the PA profession that will allow them to ultimately provide excellent patient care.  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her seven dogs, walking, kayaking and nature photography.




Todd J. Doran, Ed.D., PA-C, DFAAPA

Department Chair & Program Director
Professor of PA Medicine

Dr. Doran is appointed Professor and Department Chair & Program Director of the Physician Assistant Medicine Program at Frostburg State University. He was previously Professor and Director for PA Admissions at the University of Tampa from 2018-2022. He has been faculty at multiple PA Programs in a variety of roles for the past ten years; notably Professor, Vice Chair and Associate Program Director at Meharry Medical College in 2018, and Associate Professor, Division Chief & Program Director at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center from 2014-2017. Prior to that, he was Senior Associate in Urologic Surgery in the Department of Urologic Surgery at Vanderbilt University from 2004-2014. He started as a PA in the US Navy from 1995-2004, working in multiple specialties and deployed with 1st Marines in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom earning multiple decorations.               

Dr. Doran is presently a site visitor for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). He has held multiple state, national, and committee leadership positions involving legislative, continuing education, and clinical matters related to PA practice. He received his Bachelor’s in Sports Medicine from Willamette University in 1989, Master’s in Human Performance from Oregon State University in 1997, Physician Assistant from University of Washington in 1997, and completed his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University in May 2015.



Heather S. Hall

Heather S. Hall, MSPAS, PA-C

Director of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor of PA Medicine

Heather Hall joined the FSU PA program faculty in 2022. She has an undergraduate degree in Biology from Shenandoah University, and in 2005 she graduated from Shenandoah University’s PA program. After graduation she moved to Hagerstown to start her career as a Family Practice PA provider. Since then she has worked in several family practice clinics, urgent care, and most recently as a neurology PA. A few years after graduating she began giving back to PA education by precepting students.

Heather has been excited to transition into the education role as Director of Clinical Education and share her passion for education and the PA profession.

Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, two boys, and dog. She is involved in many aspects of the community and her children including holding offices on band boosters, soccer league, swim league, as well as coaching soccer teams.




Westley Hartley

Westley Hartley, MHA, PA-C
MAJ USAR
MdAPA Western Maryland Regional Director

Principal Faculty
Assistant Professor of PA Medicine

Mr. Hartley began as a PA after graduating from the Anne Arundel Community College program (now UMB) in 2008. Since then, he has been enjoying a fulfilling career working in general surgery and primary care. He has dedicated the last ten years to working and serving the community in Cumberland, Maryland. He serves in the Maryland Academy of PA’s as their Western Maryland Regional Director, and enjoys sharing his unique experience with the next generations of PA’s.

Mr. Hartley is the recipient of numerous military awards and honors including the Bronze Star Medal for service in Iraq. He continues to serve in a Medical Support Unit, and has had the honor of serving in roles such as company commander, executive officer, troop medical clinic officer in charge, and general medical team provider. He has served in this capacity at home and abroad on multiple deployments.

In his free time, Mr. Hartley enjoys family, friends, and the outdoors. He has an adventurous spirit with a passion for exploration and travel. Whenever he can, he finds the best food in what would seem the most unlikely places.

 



Matthew Kearney

Matthew Kearney, MPAS, PA-C

Instructional Faculty

Matthew worked for years as a Gravitational and Exercise Physiologist before obtaining his degree in Physician Assistant Studies from James Madison University. During this time his research was focused on the phenomenon of cardiovascular drift and microgravity. He has worked for the past 9 years as a Primary Care PA in Hagerstown, MD.

Matthew completed an Academic Fellowship in PA Leadership and Learning Academy from the University of Maryland Baltimore and is currently working at Meritus Family Medicine in Hagerstown, MD. When he is not working, he spends time volunteering as a leader in his local Cub Scout Pack, is an avid runner, and enjoys spending time with his family. 




Olivia Moyers

Olivia Moyers, NREMT-P

Clinical Simulation Technician

Olivia is the Simulation Technician for the Physician Assistant Program. She joined the team in September 2022. Olivia has previous experience in the medical field as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B), and Paramedic. She worked for a private transport company as an interfacility transport Paramedic, and most recently she worked as an Operating Room Assistant (ORA) at Meritus Medical Center. She is new to the field of Medical Simulation and is excited to learn and grow in her new role.

Olivia enjoys spending time relaxing at home with a good book when her two very energetic dogs allow it. She is also a newly wed to a local firefighter who keeps her on her toes. 




Melissa Murfin

Melissa Murfin, PHARMD, BCACP, PA-C, DFAAPA

Adjunct

Dr. Melissa Murfin earned a B.S. degree in Molecular Biology/Microbiology at the University of Central Florida and worked in environmental chemistry and drug discovery research before returning to graduate school. Dr. Murfin earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and Master of Physician Assistant Studies degrees concurrently in a dual degree program at the University of Florida. She has worked primarily as a PA in endocrinology and internal medicine and is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist.

Dr. Murfin discovered a passion for education and has been teaching healthcare provider students since 2009. She thrives on innovation and developing a variety of methods for students to connect to course material. Dr. Murfin enjoys research and has interests in outcomes of game-based learning and improving patient care utilizing pharmacogenetics and has presented nationally on both topics.




Melissa Murfin

Skylar Stewart-Clark, PhD, PA-C

Consultant for Self-Study and Accreditation Compliance

Dr. Skylar Stewart Clark has a wealth of experience in project management, launching and successfully executing major data-driven initiatives in clinical and academic spaces, and supporting emerging leaders of color in academic medicine. Her experience as a principal faculty, DEI liaison, PA program director, and division head have demonstrated her record of advancing student achievement in medical education, addressing racial inequities in clinical training, and closing the achievement gap for students of color through her dynamic approach to classroom innovation, curriculum enhancement, and programmatic assessment. She is a recognized leader in transformational change, a sought-after conference speaker related to innovative teaching frameworks, and an avid researcher. She holds a bachelor’s and doctorate in Bioengineering from Louisiana Tech University, completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Regenerative Medicine at the Clemson-MUSC Joint Bioengineering Program, and then went on to earn her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from MUSC.

Clinically she has practiced urologic oncology, creating a survivorship clinic and being an integral team member of the multidisciplinary clinic. In addition she has practiced family medicine, post-acute medicine, and hospital medicine. Lastly, she has a passion for medical missions and beyond participating in several medical missions trips to Central and Latin America, she has co-led two medical missions trips for PA students to the Dominican Republic.




Melissa Murfin

Aaron George

Medical Director

Dr. Aaron George is the Associate Dean for Clinical Education at the Proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. He received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa., and completed his residency in family medicine at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Dr. George was an Andlinger fellow in health policy with the Center for Public Health in Vienna, Austria, where he focused on models of care delivery. He has authored several books and numerous book chapters and articles on healthcare leadership and medical education. Dr. George is board-certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine.