Don Yager
DHSc, PA-C, MT(ASCP)
Director of Clinical Studies
Current Position and Professional Experience:
Dr. Don Yager is the Director of Clinical Services for the School of Physician Assistant Studies and one of the original co-developers of the program. He has over 15 years experience as a Physician Assistant practicing in both emergency medicine and rural family medicine. He has practiced emergency medicine in both level 1 and level 2 designated emergency departments. While practicing family medicine, he participated in a migrant health clinic. He has previously volunteered with Child and Family Services. He has approximately 14 years of clinical medical laboratory experience and has been employed as a Medical Technologist (ASCP) at several major medical centers and with the American Red Cross.
Dr. Yager served more than 8 years on active duty as a U.S. Navy Corpsman. While serving onboard ship, he performed duties in sick call, the laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology departments. On active duty, he completed the EMT - Basic curriculum and both basic and advanced laboratory training programs. He has served more than 15 years as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Naval Reserves and currently holds the rank of Commander. He served in Afghanistan as the Chief of Ancillary Services while providing acute and chronic diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative healthcare services as a Physician Assistant. Additionally, while serving overseas, he developed and implemented a standard operating procedure and a functional medical laboratory increasing turn-around time and enhancing point of care testing. He implemented a mass casualty operating procedure for approximately 2500 personnel including strategic placement of mass casualty boxes, crash carts and AED’s.
Professional Education:
Dr. Yager received his Doctor of Health Science degree from Nova Southeastern University. He also has been awarded a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies with an emphasis in Emergency Medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science from Alderson-Broaddus College, a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Old Dominion University and an Associate in Science in Medical Laboratory Technique from The George Washington University.
Teaching Responsibilities:
Dr. Yager is an Assistant Professor and is the Course Director for Clinical Laboratory Medicine. He has lectured in topics regarding emergency medicine, domestic violence, and childhood obesity. He is also involved in teaching in the CAM series, Didactic Summative Evaluation, Clinical Summative Review and HAPE courses.
Committee Memberships:
- Clinical (Chair)
- Academic
- Student Progress
- Faculty Appeals
