Melanie N. Murphy, MBA/HA, PA-C
Associate Program Director & Clinical Associate Professor
Office: Pocatello
Melanie Murphy is a Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Program Director in the Physician Assistant Studies program at Idaho State University, where she provides strategic leadership for curriculum development, program operations, and accreditation compliance. A practicing clinician since 2002, she has spent her career caring for pediatric and adult patients in rural and underserved communities, most recently at Pocatello Children and Adolescent Clinic.
Professor Murphy is a nationally recognized leader in PA education. She has presented at national conferences to audiences of more than 1,500 PA educators, conducted award-winning research on educational outcomes and program quality, and serves on accreditation boards evaluating PA program compliance nationwide.
She earned her B.A. in Humanities (Philosophy emphasis) from Brigham Young University, her B.S. in Physician Assistant Studies from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and her MBA/MHA from Western Governors University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education, Leadership, and Technology at Idaho State University, with an expected completion in 2029.
Research Interests
Precepting and clinical training site development; PA student wellbeing and empathy; rural health and behavioral health training; vaccine hesitancy and health education; and maternal/foster-family mental health.
Selected Publications & Presentations
Peer-Reviewed Abstracts
- Murphy M., Coombs J., Najmabadi S. Factors Affecting Precepting in the Pediatric Setting. JAHSE:PRE, 2024.
- Murphy M., Cruz V., Higley S., Huang D., Tobler W. Depression Rate of Foster Parents in Utah Measured by Administration of the PHQ-9. JAHSE:PRE, 2024.
Selected Poster Presentations
- Murphy M., et al. Increasing First Visit Attendance at Root for Kids Through Peer Support. Rural Health Association of Utah Annual Conference, 2024.
- Murphy M., et al. Assessing Correlation Between ACE-10 Scores and Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Attempts. Red Rock CME Conference, 2024.
- Murphy M., et al. Depression Rate of Foster Parents Compared to the General Population in Utah Measured by the PHQ-9. Rural Health Association of Utah Annual Conference, 2023.
- Murphy M., Draper A., Fellows B., Combs J. Empathy in the Modern PA Student. PAEA Educational Forum, 2026.
Oral Presentations
- Murphy M. A Sales Team Approach to Clinical Rotation Site Recruiting. Western Consortium of PA Educators Conference, 2025.
- Genovesse K., Murphy M. Planning for Return Visits. PAEA Education Forum, 2024.
- Murphy M. Enhancing Safety in Clinical Training: Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Violence. Western Consortium of PA Educators Conference, 2024.
Outside the classroom and clinic, Professor Murphy enjoys hiking in the mountains, indulging her interest in geology, gardening and growing houseplants, reading a good book, traveling, and keeping up with her very active sons.