Faculty

Medea Y. Valdez, DHEd, PA-C

Director/Assistant Professor

Dr. Medea Valdez, DHEd, MPAS, PA-C joined the Saint Elizabeth University community in 2017 as the founding PA Program Director of the Master of Science physician assistant degree program (SEU PA Program). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Valdez has worked clinically as a PA in the areas of Internal Medicine, Chemical Dependency, Employee Health, Oncology, and Endocrinology.

Dr. Valdez received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Houghton College in 1988. She later graduated from The Brooklyn Hospital Center / Long Island University Physician Assistant Program in 1990 and worked clinically as a PA until she returned to the TBHC/LIU Program as a faculty member in 1995. She has been involved in PA Education ever since; subsequently working at the Weill Cornell PA Program and Kean University. During this time, she earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) at Oregon Health and Science University where she examined ways to mitigate the impact of stress on the health of working women for her Master’s thesis.

Dr. Valdez completed a doctorate in Health Education (DHEd) in 2012. Her dissertation focused on medical errors and the role PA students play in promoting patient safety. Her current research interests are in: interdisciplinary education and practice; the use of simulation to improve student learning outcomes in the provision of medical care; and stress management for students, faculty and women in general.

“I am so very blessed to be here at Saint Elizabeth and count it a joy to work with an amazing group of faculty and students. I am confident that we are making a difference in healthcare by raising up PAs who are competent and committed to respectfully serving the patients for whom they provide care.”

Dr. Valdez enjoys spending time with her husband, Tim and their dogs; reading, baking, quilting and looks forward to visits with her two adult sons.

Olga Kosoy, BS, PA-C

Instructor

Matthew Letizia, DO

Medical Director

Linda Liotti, DO

Assistant Professor

Christopher O'Neill, MSHS, PA-C

Assistant Professor

Frank Ostella, DO

Assistant Professor

Nicholas Palmieri, DC, MPH

Director of PA Simulation / Assistant Professor

Karen Reavis, MS, PA-C

Assistant Professor

Karen Reavis received her M.S. in Physician Assistant from Seton Hall University and Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences and her B.S. in Biology and Minor in Chemistry from Saint Elizabeth University.

Karen is a licensed practicing Physician Assistant in New Jersey. She has acquired over twenty years of combined clinical experience in Trauma Surgery, Emergency and Internal Medicine working with patients at a level 1 Trauma Center; Community Hospital; Private Practice; and Federal Healthcare System. She was an adjunct instructor for Biology, Medical Terminology, and Anatomy & Physiology courses at Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Karen is the Course Director for Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Genetics for the SEU Physician Assistant Program. She serves as a student mentor and advisor to provide guidance and support through didactic and clinical year. Her passion for community engagement and global mission outreach aligns with program mission goals to serve as a “bridge” to promote health, wellness, and accessible care for all populations; and recognize and develop strategies to address system biases and social justice issues that contribute to health care disparities.

Renee Wohltman, MPAS, PA-C

Director of Clinical Education / Assistant Professor

Staff

Kim Booth

Program Coordinator

Ann Marie Kramer

Clinical Administrative Assistant

Wilson Marin

Supervisor, SEU Simulation Center