Kara L. Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C is an associate professor and associate program director at Meharry Medical College, in the PA Sciences Program, within the School of Graduate Studies and Research. She joined the faculty in the summer of 2021, having held previous teaching positions at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (2005-2007), the University of Alabama at Birmingham PA program (2010-17) and the MS (Master of Science) in Biomedical and Health Sciences program (2014-17), and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center PA program (2018-2021). Since her entry into academia in 2005, she has had the opportunity to teach both graduate and undergraduate students in several disciplines.

Her educational training includes a bachelor’s degree (Biology) in 1998 from the University of Nebraska Omaha, a master’s degree (molecular, cellular, and systemic physiology) and certificate (anatomy) from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2005 and a master’s degree (physician assistant studies) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2009. In her clinical role as a PA, she has worked in emergency medicine, urgent care, and most recently in primary care. In addition to paid clinical work, she has served as a clinician and student preceptor at a free primary care clinic and in other community health initiatives.

Her dedication to promoting medical sciences careers to students intentionally excluded from careers in medicine, those from rural communities, as well as those from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds is demonstrated in her local, state, and national service. She has participated in several PA outreach events at national conferences, given a variety of presentations, and has served in leadership positions in various organizations, including the Physician Assistant Education Association, where she currently serves as Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors.