ABILENE—Dr. Jennifer Weems Eames, a professor for the Physician Assistant (PA) program at Hardin- Simmons University and a clinically practicing PA for the Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hub in Abilene, has been awarded the 2023 PA Distinguished Alumnus Award. She serves as a consultant to PA programs in universities across the U.S.
She is the granddaughter of Eleanor Weems and the late T.A. Weems of Rockdale. Her parents are Rockdale native Ted Weems and wife Amy of Justiceville. Her father is county attorney in Garza County (Post is the county seat). She was raised in Giddings where her father practiced law and served several terms as county attorney.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor bestowed annually by the alumni of the John Sealy School of Medicine PA Alumni Association at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. It recognizes a graduate for excellence in patient care, research, publications, edu-cation, community service and leadership.
Dr. Eames earned her bachelor’s degree in PA studies at Galveston, her master’s from the University of Nebraska and her Doctoral Degree in Health Science from Nova Southeastern University. She has practiced clinically since 2002, and served as a faculty member, admissions director, and vice chair of the PA Program at the UT Med Branch in Galveston prior to moving to Abilene. She founded the PA Studies program at Hardin-Simmons in 2015. That program focuses on serving rural populations.
She is past-president of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, a board member of the National PA Education Association (PAEA). In 2022 Dr. Eames became the first female PA in Texas to attain the rank of full professor. She and her husband have two adult children and one grandchild.
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