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Jared Papa, MPAS, PA-C
Program Director & Chair,
Service Learning Coordinator, &
Clinical Associate Professor
Office: Meridian
Jared is experienced in rural and underserved community health having worked in the fields of family and urgent care medicine. He is fluent in Spanish. Jared received his Physician Assistant training from Pacific University, graduating in 2003, and joined the ISU PA Program in 2008.
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Anntara Smith, MS, PA-C
Associate Program Director &
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Caldwell
Anntara graduated from Idaho State University in 2003. She has been practicing in the Boise area since that time and clinical experience includes Family Medicine, HIV, and Psychiatry. She joined ISU's PA program in 2011.
Melanie Murphy, MBA-HA, PA-C
Associate Program Director &
Clinical Associate Professor
Office: Pocatello
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David McClusky III, MD, FACS
Medical Director
Office: Meridian
Dr. David A. McClusky III, MD, FACS is a general surgeon currently practicing at St. Luke's Wood River. He is a fourth generation Idaho physician who was born in Moscow and raised in Twin Falls. He received his medical degree from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and completed both a general surgery residency at Emory University and a minimally invasive surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Florida. In his early career, he was awarded the American College of Surgeons National Resident teacher or the year in 2008 and worked at Emory University as a staff surgeon until 2013. He has served as an associate general surgery residency program director at Emory, the founding chair of surgery at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a member and chair of the Idaho Board of Medicine. He has been involved with the ISU PA Program as a preceptor since returning to Idaho in 2013. He lives with his wife Lorena and step-son Tyler in Hailey and enjoys hiking, photography, and all types of winter activities.
Dr. McClusky joined the ISU PA Program as Medical Director in 2022.
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Sherwin D'Souza, MD
Medical Director
Office: Caldwell
Dr. Sherwin D'Souza is a graduate of GS Medical College in Mumbai India. He completed his internship at St. Lukes Roosevelt in New York City and went on to complete his residency and Chief residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Sciences Center. He has served as Medical Director and a preceptor for the PA program since 2005. He is a fellow of the American College of Endocrinology. He has practiced in Idaho since 2000 and is currently with St. Luke’s Endocrinology in Boise, Idaho.
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Vicki Allen, RN, CLNC
Director of Clinical Site Development,
Clinical Coordinator, &
Instructor
Office: Pocatello
Vicki has been a Registered Nurse since 1976, She became a Legal Nurse Consultant in 2005. Vicki's clinical experience is in neonatal and adult intensive care. She has worked as a staff nurse, manager and hospital administrator prior to being hired by the PA program in 2010.
Cindy Bunde, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C
Clinical Associate Professor &
Academic Coordinator
Office: Pocatello
Cindy has been a PA since 2000, upon graduating with a Bachelor’s from the Idaho State University PA Program. She also has a Master’s from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Cindy has experience primarily in psychiatry, OB/GYN, and family practice. She works clinically with low-income populations at the Pocatello Free Clinic, and has taught at ISU since 2006.
Karen Dickerson, MPAS, PA-C
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Pocatello
Karen is passionate about functional and lifestyle medicine. She has worked for the State of Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare in what she likes to call “Brain Health.” She also has experience in cardiology, pain medicine, and women’s health. Karen graduated from Idaho State University in 1992 with a BBA in Marketing and from St. Francis University in Albuquerque, NM, in 2005 with Masters of Physician Assistant Studies. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2023.
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Jennifer Forbes, DMSc, MHS, PA-C
Clinical Associate Professor
Office: Meridian
Jennifer Forbes graduated from the University of South Alabama PA program in 2001. Her clinical experience is in family medicine, pediatrics, and orthopedics. She joined the ISU PA program in 2012.
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Christine Hall, M.A.T., MPAS, PA-C
Instructional Faculty
Christine graduated from Oregon Health & Science University's Physician Assistant Program in 2003 and currently works in urgent care. She has clinical practice experience in family medicine, internal medicine, and cardiothoracic surgery. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Biology from Duke University in 1993, where she completed her undergraduate education, and taught science for six years prior to pursuing her PA training. Christine intends to complete ISU's Graduate Certificate in Spanish for Health Professions. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2015.
Holly Hutchinson, MPAS, PA-C
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian
Jeff Johnson, PharmD, PA-C
Clinical Associate Professor
Office: Meridian
Jeff graduated from the ISU PA Program in 2002. He is also a graduate of the ISU College of Pharmacy earning a PharmD degree. His experience is primarily in emergency and urgent care medicine. He has also worked as a community pharmacist . He joined the ISU PA Program in 2011.
Yustina Lassen, MPAS, PA-C
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian
Kate Macdonald, MPAS, PA-C, MLS(ASCP)CM
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian
Sarah Maddux, MS, PA-C
Performance Advancement Coordinator &
Assistant Professor
Office: Caldwell
Sarah graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University's Physician Assistant Program in 2007 and currently works in neurosurgery. She has clinical practice experience in family medicine, urgent care, occupational health, orthopedic spine surgery, trauma, and general surgery. Sarah joined the ISU PA Program in 2024.
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Dave Martin, MPAS, PA-C
Clinical Associate Professor
Office: Pocatello
Dave graduated from the University of Oklahoma Physician Assistant Program in 1980 and completed his Master's in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Nebraska in 2000. His clinical experience is in family practice & emergency medicine. Mr. Martin was hired by the ISU PA Program in 2003.
Anne Peterson, MPAS, PA-C
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian
Anne graduated from the Idaho State University PA Program with a Master's in Physician Assistant Studies in 2013. Since that time, she has practiced in acute care and general surgery in southwestern Idaho. She also has a bachelor's degree in social work from Northwest Nazarene University. Anne joined the ISU PA Program in 2024.
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Paula Phelps, MHE, MPAS, PA-C
Professor Emeritus
Paula has a passion for the underserved through women's health and primary care, lifestyle medicine, and mental health first aid. Paula graduated from the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program in 1995 and became the ISU PA Program's first faculty member the same year. She completed her Masters of Health Education from ISU in 2000. As former academic coordinator, former program director, and current service learning coordinator, Paula remains dedicated to teaching, supporting, and emboldening the PAs of the future.
Margo Smedshammer, MS, PA-C
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Caldwell
Margo received her Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine in 2006. She has clinical experience in pediatrics, family practice, and urgent care. She briefly taught high school science and has a passion for education. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2023.
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Marvin Sparrell, MPAS, PA-C
Professor Emeritus
Marv earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Utah and has served as a PA at the Boise VAMC since 1982. His clinical experience includes surgical service, internal medicine, and geriatric medicine. He joined ISU's PA program in 2009.
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H. Cathleen Tarp, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor &
PAS Instructional Faculty
Office: Pocatello
Dr. Tarp (PHD, MPH) is the director of the Spanish for Health Professions undergraduate and graduate programs at Idaho State University. Dr. Tarp is a qualified medical interpreter and legal interpreter, teaching all levels of language and culture and interpretation/translation. Most recently, Dr. Tarp started a promotor/a training program within the Spanish for Health Professions program. Her research focuses on health attitudes and knowledge in rural Idaho, especially among Spanish-speaking individuals and communities. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2011.
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Kent Whitaker, MEd, PA-C
Clinical Assistant Professor
Office: Pocatello
Kent graduated from the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program in 1995 and completed his Masters of Education at Weber State University. His clinical experience is in primary care and dermatology. Mr. Whitaker was hired by the ISU PA Program in 1998.
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Kerbie Cameron
Clinical Year
Administrative Assistant
Office: Pocatello
Kerbie graduated from ISU's College of Technology with a Technical Certificate in Business Administration Office Technology. For 5 1/2 years Kerbie worked as Financial Assistant to the CFO at Health West, a local community clinic. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2014.
Darcy Dolata
Administrative Assistant
Office: Meridian
Darcy is a loving mother of 2 boys and lifelong resident of the Boise area, which naturally leads to a love of travel and connecting with people. Joining ISU-Meridian in 2017, she loves to witness the growth in others. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2021.
Valentín R. García
Grant Project Coordinator
Office: Pocatello
Lindsay Haskell, MSHS
Grant Director, Idaho AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC)
Office: Meridian
Chad Harball
Senior Business Operations Manager
Office: Pocatello
Chad has over 10 years of computer, telecommunications, and business operations experience, specializing in computer hardware and synchronous distributed education. He oversees classroom operations, inventory, building safety, medical & electronics purchasing, and logistics planning. Chad was hired by the ISU PA Program in 2006.
Deborah Harris
Academic Assistant
Office: Caldwell
Deborah has a background in Paralegal from MTI College of Business. She was a Certified Whitewater River Guide, and a Gift Recorder and Prospect Research Analyst for the College of Idaho. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2014.
Dan Kise
Media Equipment Specialist
Office: Caldwell
Dan graduated from Cornell College with majors in English and Philosophy. His career has ranged from guiding youth on multi-week wilderness trips to planning the Boise Comic Arts Festival. He joined the ISU PA Program in 2023.
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Dawn Lewis, MA
Producer/Director
Office: Meridian
With over 25 years of experience in education television production, Dawn graduated from Montana State University with a BS in Film & Television Production and received her Master's in Educational Technology Leadership from George Washington University. Her career started with production in public television and expanded to running a 35-site, fully interactive distance learning system at Northern Arizona University. Dawn joined the ISU PA Program in 2016.
Jesse Maddux, MA
Media Equipment Specialist
Office: Meridian
Jesse earned a Bachelors in Religious Studies, and later in Elementary Education, as well as a Masters in Spiritual Formation from Northwest Nazarene University. His A/V experience has spanned both undergraduate and graduate studies as well as teaching in local school districts. He joined the ISU PA Program in 2024.
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Kit Moessner
Admissions Coordinator
Office: Pocatello
Kit received a BA in English, Creative Writing, and Anthropology from Minnesota State University. She earned a Certificate in Publishing while working in a small regional press as an editor and manuscript screener. She has also been a Human Resources specialist. She joined the ISU PA Program in 2014.
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Mary O'Byrne
Data Coordinator
Office: Pocatello
Mary received a BA in Journalism from Gonzaga University. She has worked at Four Seasons Hotels Resorts as a Catering and Conference Services Manager and most recently as a Learning and Development Manager. Mary joined the ISU PA Program in 2018.
Heather O'Donnell
Clinical Year
Administrative Assistant
Office: Meridian
Some of Heather’s past experiences include working at a winery in South Australia, as a newspaper reporter while serving in the Air Force, and briefly as a carnie in Biloxi, MS. In her off time, she likes to hike the foothills, ride the green belt, walk her dog, and explore the world. She began working at ISU-Meridian in 2016 and joined the ISU PA Program in 2018.
Jason Rogo
Media Equipment Specialist
Office: Pocatello
Jason graduated from ISU with a degree in Computer Software Development Technology. His goal is to seamlessly maintain media equipment for faculty and provide assistance to facilitate an optimal online learning environment. Jason joined the ISU Pocatello PAS Program in 2020.
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Kallee Valentine, MBA
Admissions Director
Office: Pocatello
Kallee Valentine is a first-generation college graduate from Blackfoot, Idaho. She graduated from the University of Idaho with a BA in International Studies and Spanish. She studied abroad at the Universidad del Pais Vasco (Bilbao, Spain) in 1998 and 2002. She later earned her Master of Business Administration program at the University of Texas Arlington.
She has worked for a biotech startup, Cogent Neuroscience, in Durham, North Carolina, the University of Idaho donor relations, worked for ISU KDHS, and spent 8 years in the ISU Foundation as the Director of Annual Giving. Kallee joined the ISU PA Program working on grants in 2020, and became Admissions Director in 2021.