MTSU Physician Assistant Studies director inducted into state Hall of Fame

Long before she became a statewide leader in physician assistant education, Marie Patterson was a young girl in the stands at Middle Tennessee State University, cheering on the Blue Raiders alongside her father. That early connection to Murfreesboro would shape both her personal and professional journey for decades to come.

“I’ve been here in Murfreesboro since I was 5 and I love Murfreesboro,” said Patterson, now a physician assistant and the founding director of MTSU’s Physician Assistant Studies program within the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

That deep-rooted hometown pride came full circle this year when Patterson was inducted into the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing her decades of service, advocacy, and innovation in the physician assistant profession.

College leadership praised her impact, noting that Patterson represents the very best of what the program strives for through her strong community ties, forward-thinking leadership, and lifelong commitment to improving health care. Her influence has extended well beyond MTSU, helping shape physician assistant education across Tennessee.

In addition to launching MTSU’s program, Patterson also played a key role in developing the physician assistant program at Lipscomb University. Her leadership experience includes serving as president of the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants, chairing the Tennessee Board of Physician Assistants, and representing the state as a delegate to the National PA Compact Commission.

Patterson credits her drive to serve others as a guiding force throughout her career. She has remained deeply involved in volunteer work within the profession, always focused on advancing opportunities for future physician assistants and improving patient care.

Her passion for helping others began in childhood. As the daughter of former missionaries, service was a core value in her upbringing. Even at a young age, she felt drawn to the health care field. A high school anatomy class solidified that interest, and she entered college on a pre-med track before discovering the physician assistant profession.

The flexibility of the career path immediately stood out to her. The ability to move between specialties without returning to school, combined with a strong work-life balance, made it the perfect fit.

She applied to just one program at Trevecca Nazarene University and was accepted. Within a matter of weeks, she graduated from college, began PA school, and got engaged. After completing her PA training, she went on to earn her doctorate, determined to finish her education before starting a family.

Patterson’s early career began in a rural emergency room in West Tennessee before she returned to Middle Tennessee to work in urgent care. She later joined the Student Health Clinic at MTSU, where she spent a decade caring for students and building lasting relationships within the campus community.

After the birth of her seventh child, Patterson took time to reflect on her long-term goals. She had always envisioned a transition into education, and the timing finally felt right. She joined Lipscomb University as founding faculty for its PA program, helping guide it through accreditation and its early stages of development.

That experience would prove invaluable when MTSU began planning its own physician assistant program. Before applying for the leadership role, Patterson met with university officials to assess both their readiness and her own. She left those conversations confident that the university was making thoughtful, strategic decisions about launching the program.

In the spring of 2020, Patterson accepted the role of founding director just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold. Despite the unprecedented challenges, she led the program through state approvals, accreditation requirements, and the difficult process of securing clinical training opportunities during a time when in-person access was limited.

Working alongside medical director Dr. William “Dunk” Eastham, Patterson helped open doors for students and build essential partnerships across the region.

Under her leadership, the program quickly set itself apart. Patterson secured access to cadaver labs as well as two advanced Anatomage tables, providing students with both traditional and cutting-edge digital learning tools. She also expanded simulation and procedural training through the use of high-fidelity mannequins and specialized task trainers.

One of the program’s most innovative features has been the integration of point-of-care ultrasound technology into the curriculum. MTSU became the first physician assistant program in the nation to provide handheld ultrasound devices to every student. From their first day in the program, students train with this technology and graduate with it, giving them a significant advantage as they enter the workforce.

Today, Patterson’s work continues to shape the future of health care in Tennessee. Through her leadership, students are not only gaining the skills needed to succeed, but also the confidence to step into competitive specialties such as emergency medicine and intensive care immediately after graduation.

To learn more about the Physician Assistant Studies program, click here.