Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty & Staff

Like the Dalhousie's undergradate medical education program, core medical education in the MPAS program will be primarily delivered by clinicians who hold an academic appointment in the Faculty of Medicine. The Faculty of Medicine relies on upwards of 1000 clinicians across multiple clinical departments/academic units to deliver lectures, labs and tutorials (Yr-1 of the proposed program). 

Upon graduation, it is also likely that graduates of the MPAS may contribute in some way to the delivery of the program, e.g., by providing clinical training opportunities, preceptorships, mentorship, and pursuing medical education opportunities as future faculty members.

Dr. Michael Clory, Assistant Dean, MPAS

Dr. Michael Clory is an emergency medicine physician at the Cobequid Community Health Centre and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Emergency Departments, and has many years of senior administrative experience, recently finishing a 17-year term as Chief of medical staff and emergency department at Cobequid Community Health Centre. Dr. Clory is a cofounder of Therounds, an exclusive physician online professional network and is an elected member of the Council for Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Clory completed medical school at McGill University in 1991. He has been a faculty member at Dalhousie for more than 20 years with appointments to the Departments of Emergency and Family Medicine. He is the Enhanced Skills Program Director for Dalhousie's Department of Family Medicine.

As Assistant Dean of the Physican Assistant Program, Dr. Clory works collaboratively to provide academic and administrative leadership to support the creation and maintenance of the Faculty’s Physician Assistant Program.

He also provides ongoing leadership, oversight, curricular innovation, and evaluation of the Physician Assistant Program and is responsible for ensuring that the program meets accreditation standards.

Dr. John Fitz-Clarke, Assistant Professor: Medical Foundations

Dr. John Fitz-Clarke has practiced emergency medicine full-time for 25 years in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia, and is now based at the Cobequid Community Health Centre.

Dr. Fitz-Clarke is a consultant in diving and hyperbaric medicine, and was a part-time Medical Examiner for six years. He has a background in mechanical engineering and completed a PhD in cardiac electrophysiology studying ventricular fibrillation. Special interests are in resuscitation science, drowning, lifesaving, freediving medicine, oxygen and lung physiology. He runs a small private lab to test and evaluate resuscitation devices and presents internationally on these topics, and serves on several committees.

Dr. Deborah Summers, Assistant Professor: Professional Competency

Dr. Deborah Summers comes to Dalhousie from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. During her time there, she served as Clinical Education Director, Undergraduate Pre-PA Program Director, Interim Program Director of the graduate PA Program, and Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Dr. Summers received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Sciences, her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a concentration in Physician Assistant Education from the University of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Dr. Summers practiced in Geriatrics for most of her clinical career, with a 6-year period working in Medical Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. In Geriatrics, she visited home-bound patients for many years with Home Visit Doctors, and then working in an inpatient subacute rehabilitation and long-term care center.

Erin Sephton, Unit Head: Skilled Clinician

Erin Sephton, CCPA, BHScPHA, BSc is a lecturer at Dalhousie University. She has been a Physician Assistant since 2013, practicing in Family and Emergency medicine in Kitchener, Ontario.

Erin now practices in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, focusing on Orthopedic surgery, hip and knee arthroplasty, trauma, and complex revision arthroplasty. She is also a Primary Care Paramedic with ground ambulance and the Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Medicine.

Currently, Erin is the Treasurer for PARSEC, and sits on the CAPA Board of Directors as the Director for PEI and Alternate Director for Nova Scotia.