Elias Villarreal, Jr., ADE, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Elias Villarreal is a native Texan recently moved to Phoenix, Arizona in July 2017. Mr. Villarreal has been a practicing physician assistant for 21 years. Mr. Villarreal received a B.A. in Biology & Zoology from The University of Texas at Austin in 1994. He completed a graduate certificate in Physician Associate Studies from Yale University School of Medicine in 1997. He completed the Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2010 and is EdD – ABD in Education Leadership from The University of Texas – Pan American (UTPA).

Mr. Villarreal has 20 years of experience in health care academia. He began teaching part-time in 1998 for the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston Physician Assistant Studies Program. In 1999, he transitioned to a full-time position with the UTPA program where he has held various roles within the department. He has held the positions of academic coordinator, clinical coordinator and admissions coordinator. Because of his background in educational theory, leadership and curriculum, Mr. Villarreal was instrumental in designing the curriculum for the UTPA PA program’s transition from Bachelor’s to Master’s status in 2008 – 2010 and again in designing the realignment and sequencing of course curriculum in 2017.

Mr. Villarreal’s leadership experience is extensive. He served the Board of Directors of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants for 15 years completing his service in 2016. He served the roles of committee chair, secretary, director-at-large, president-elect, president and immediate past president twice. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Physician Assistant Foundation where he has held the positions of member-at-large, charity auction chair, secretary and president. In addition, Mr. Villarreal served on the Board of Directors for the Valley AIDS Council for one year in 2011 – 2012. On a national level, Mr. Villarreal has served as Awards Committee Chair for the Physician Assistant Education Association from 2011 – 2016.

Mr. Villarreal was instrumental in garnering the coveted Apple Distinguished Program award for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas – Pan American for 2013 – 2015 and again for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for 2015 – 2017. In addition, Mr. Villarreal has been honored himself as an Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2015.

Mr. Villarreal’s interests are in educational technology, curriculum design, learning theory and educational opportunities for marginalized and disadvantaged populations.