Jones Becomes Editor in Chief for Perspective on
Physician Assistant Education

P. Eugene Jones, department chair at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center PA Program, was recently selected to head APAP’s official journal, Perspective on Physician Assistant Education. As of April 1, Jones will replace Don Pedersen, Ph.D., PA-C, the journal’s editor since its inception as a newsletter in 1990. Perspective was converted to journal format in 1998, and Jones takes over as editor at a time when it has gained recognition across the profession.

P. Eugene Jones, Ph.D., PA-C

Besides managing its slate of publications, Jones will assume responsibility for the journal’s editorial management with the help of an editorial advisory board and a review board — each comprising primarily PAs — in addition to the production staff. Journal issues are published quarterly and include research and special articles; reports and communications from APAP and other organizations; commentaries; a variety of feature columns, such as “Bits and Bytes of PA Education” and “Academic Law”; abstracts and brief reports; and a contemplative page. Journal covers reproduce contributors’ artwork or photographs and feature scenes or subjects from around the globe.

As incoming editor, Jones has outlined his vision for Perspective, which was created to advance physician assistant education through the publication of scholarly manuscripts germane to PA educators and to provide a forum for sharing ideas and innovations to enhance the education of PA students. “Teaching,” Jones said, “is the lifeblood of our profession, and I look forward to publishing articles that continue the emphasis on curriculum innovation, delivery, and evaluation. Faculty development is an APAP priority; and to that end, I will address portfolio development among faculty to assist them with promotion and tenure processes within their programs.” Jones claims that the currency of academe remains peer-reviewed publications, and in most academic settings the path to promotion and tenure is paved with research and publications. He added, “I will emphasize research activities and provide opportunities of this nature through the journal’s publications, especially for newer or less-experienced faculty.”

Jones plans to continue the tradition of theme issues developed over the years. These often represent collaborative ventures between APAP and external organizations to explore special topics. Recently, HRSA funded four issues that highlighted training grants. These were followed by an issue devoted to testing and evaluation and sponsored by the NCCPA. Jones recommends that APAP as an organization, as well as its publishing staff, join professional publishing organizations both to improve the journal and to become affiliated with national vehicles that will bring recognition to the journal’s contributing authors. He envisions a new mentor-protégé network in which faculty who publish regularly will be teamed with those less experienced for assistance in developing their research and writing skills.

Since 1999, Jones has been professor and chair in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and chief of the Division of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He was program director of the university’s PA program from 1993 to 1999. From 1969 to 1975, he served as a hospital corpsman and, from 1975 to 1989, as a physician assistant in the United States Navy. Jones received his doctorate from the Claremont Graduate University in California in 1991; a master of arts degree from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri; and a bachelor of science with a major in PA studies from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1976.

Jones was president of APAP from 2000 to 2001 and has served the Association in many other capacities over the years, particularly in positions related to research. He was chair of the Task Force on Research and Publication from 1993 to 1994; a member and subsequently chair of the Research and Review Committee; and chair for the Research Institute Advisory Committee in 2003, the same year in which he co-chaired the APAP Research Institute. Currently Jones is a member of the Research Institute, chairs its subcommittee for Poster and Paper Presentation Review, and serves on the Nominations and Awards Committee. Jones brings editorial review board experience with Perspective, JAAPA, and Physician Assistant to his new position. He has published in these journals and others, such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Annals of Emergency Medicine. He has been the recipient of many awards and honors and invited presenter, as well as consultant and advisor, for a number of organizations.

APAP President Patrick Knott commented that Jones was an outstanding choice for the position: “We had a number of talented PA educators to choose from who had research and publishing experience, but Gene impressed us with his record of success and his vision for where he would like to take the journal in the next phase of its development. We have every confidence that he will provide great leadership in this area.” Jones said that he looked forward to the challenge of following the tremendous success achieved by Pedersen and his staff and deeply appreciated the support of the APAP Board of Directors in this new undertaking.

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