Virginia L. Valentin is an Associate Professor who serves as the Department Chair for the Department of Physician Assistant studies and the Program Director for the PA Academic Residency. Dr. Valentin received her a Doctor of Public Health with a focus in epidemiology from the University of Kentucky, a Master’s in PA Studies from Barry University, a BS in Psychology from the University of Utah and is a graduate of the RN program at Weber State University.

Dr. Valentin began her PA education career at the University of Kentucky before joining the University of Utah PA faculty and where she served in numerous leadership roles including Division Chief. Dr. Valentin was thrilled to re-join the UK faculty in 2022.

Dr. Valentin brings more than a decade of PA education experience and nearly two decades of clinical experience to her work. She is passionate about PA education, administration/leadership, advocacy and research. Dr. Valentin’s goal is to integrate her PA training with her love of public health and advance the PA profession so that physician assistants are integral in to increasing access to health care.

As a leader in her field, Dr. Valentin has served on numerous committees and boards including the president of Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants, PAEA Government Relations Steering Committee, PAEA Research Mission Advancement Committee, and she currently serves as a Director at Large on the PAEA nation board.

Dr. Valentin’s research focus is on the Physician Assistant workforce and understanding the utilization of PAs and barriers to providing patient care. Her interests also include medical education with a particular interest in barriers to success for both students and faculty. Dr. Valentin was honored to be an inaugural AAPA-PAEA research fellow in 2017-2018. Her goal is for all PA faculty and students to engage in research that builds the knowledge of the PA profession and/or improves patient outcomes.

To learn more about Dr. Valentin's research, please visit her Scholars@UK profile.

Dr. Valentin was honored to be named as the first Daus Family Endowed Professorship for Physician Assistant Studies in September 2022.

From Oregon to Florida to Utah, Dr. Valentin has had the privilege of living in variety of diverse communities and is pleased to call the Bluegrass state her home. Outside of work she enjoys travel, being outdoors and spending time with her husband and daughter.