LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University Physician Assistant student Stephanie Janson, a native of Erie, Pa., has been appointed a student representative to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry.

This federal advisory committee was established in 1998. Its members are appointed by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA), and the committee advises and makes recommendations concerning policy, program development and other matters of significance concerning the HRSA Bureau of Health Professions’ family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and physician assistant programs. The committee meets semi-annually in Washington, D.C.

Janson said she was nominated for the committee in January 2007 by the Physician Assistant Education Association and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. The extensive nomination process took a deal of time, she said, and she was eventually appointed to the committee in March 2008.

Walter Eisenhauer, LHU physician assistant department chair, said he supported Janson’s nomination due to her strong leadership skills. Janson also had received her undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University in health care policy. She went on to work for Penn State administering adult education programs prior to coming to LHU.

“Stephanie is a delightful young woman who has an extremely high energy level and is committed to the goals of primary care delivery to diverse and underserved populations,” Eisenhauer said.

Janson credits her education at LHU with helping prepare her to serve on the committee.

“The Lock Haven Physician Assistant program and my experiences during my clinical rotations have provided me with the medical education from which I will be basing my decisions as a committee member,” Janson said.