Jan Jonson, PA-C, was born on February 7, 1944, in a small village in Northern Sweden, in the same home where his mother had been born. Jonson was raised on the island of Froson, about 50 miles from his birthplace, where he enjoyed a wonderful childhood.
Jonson’s first educational experience was in a two-room classroom in Sweden, where grades 1-3 met in one classroom and grades 4-6 in another. His total experience in first grade was just 31 days. In 1951, following his father’s conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the family immigrated to the United States. Jonson’s father traveled first in the spring of 1951; Jonson, his mother, and his sister followed in October 1951, being processed through Ellis Island in New York City. They settled in Ballard, a suburb of Seattle, Washington, where Scandinavian immigrants had a significant presence. Without any English language skills, Jonson was placed in the middle of second grade but quickly learned to speak English and completed his education in Ballard.
Education and Professional Development
During junior high school, Jan Jonson became interested in a career in medicine. In his first year at Brigham Young University (BYU), Jonson struggled in his pre-med class, which prompted him to question his goal of becoming a physician. After his first year at BYU, he served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for two years and six months in Sweden. This experience allowed him to recapture his mother tongue and learn the blessings of serving others.
Upon returning to BYU, Jonson had an epiphany while walking across campus. He decided to pursue a degree in youth leadership and seek employment with the Boy Scouts of America. After two more semesters at BYU, he entered active duty training with the Army.
Following his active-duty training, Jonson returned to BYU and completed his bachelor’s degree in May 1969. He and his wife, Sandi, began his career in Idaho Falls, Idaho, for five years and then transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah, for another two years and six months. During this time, he served in the Utah Army National Guard and Army Reserve until his obligation was complete.
Jonson did not feel satisfied in his job with the Boy Scouts. To boost the family budget, he enlisted in the Utah National Guard as a medic and attended military drills with the 144th Medical Evacuation Hospital. There, he met Randy Danielsen, who was working as a MEDEX (physician assistant). Jonson took an EMT course from Danielsen during his weekend drills and became interested in the profession after shadowing a MEDEX at Battle Mountain, Nevada.
In May 1976, Jonson applied for the Utah MEDEX Project. From 250 initial applications, he was selected as one of 18 candidates for class #7 of the Utah MEDEX Project. He completed the PA program at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in September 1977, commuting daily from Riverton while managing his responsibilities to four young children and church commitments.
Clinical Practice
Jonson’s 37-year career as a PA began at Southwest Medical Center in Kearns, Utah (1977-1984), followed by service as clinic commander at the Troop Medical Clinic at Camp Williams, Utah (1984-1993). He then worked at Intermountain Health Care in Mount Pleasant (1993-1999), providing care in clinics and the emergency department for communities including Moroni, Mount Pleasant, Ephraim, and Manti.
From 1999 to 2002, Jan Jonson worked at the Central Utah Counseling Center in Ephraim, extending his services to multiple communities, including Nephi, Delta, Fillmore, Richfield, and Bicknell. He spent a decade at Gunnison Valley Hospital (2002-2012) in primary care and the emergency department before concluding his clinical career at Revere Health in Mount Pleasant (2014-2016).
Following the passing of his wife Sandi, Jonson remarried. His wife, Betty, was an equally supportive spouse and enabled him to have a successful career as a PA.
Jonson witnessed many medical innovations throughout his career, from advanced diagnostic imaging to the transition from handwritten charts to computerized records. He observed the profession evolve from being called MEDEX to “physician assistant-certified,” which he felt more clearly described their role in medicine.
Military Service
Jonson’s military career spanned 34 years, beginning as a private (E-1) and advancing through the enlisted ranks to sergeant first class (E-7). Upon graduation as a PA, he was promoted to warrant officer 1 (WO1) and continued advancing to chief warrant officer 3 (CW3).
As a warrant officer, Jonson commanded the Camp Williams Medical Clinic, part of the Utah Army National Guard. He served on active duty in this position for nine years. In February 1992, he received a direct commission to captain (O-3) rank. In 1993, he returned to primary care and reduced his military commitment to part-time, attending weekend drills and summer camp. He continued receiving greater assignments and promotions to major (O4) and lieutenant colonel (O5) before retiring in September 2002.
Professional Legacy
Jan Jonson viewed his career in medicine as a calling of service and love. Beyond patient care, he served as secretary for the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants (UAPA) and as a guest instructor with the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program. He participated in the selection process for new PA students and mentored many PA students during their clinical rotations.
Jonson maintained his national certification as a PA and advanced trauma and cardiac life support certifications throughout his career. He was recognized with several awards, including a Clinical Teaching Award from the University of Utah PA Program (1983), Employee of the Year from Sanpete Valley Hospital in Mt. Pleasant (1994), and the Military Meritorious Service Medal from the Utah Army National Guard (1987). His service to the Boy Scouts of America was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award in September 2002.
In retirement, Jonson remains active in his community, serving on the Ephraim City planning and zoning committee. Jonson describes his PA career as “completely absorbing,” noting, “As a new graduate, I was thrilled to enter this relatively new profession, but I had no idea how satisfying and completely absorbing my life would become. As it merged with the lives of untold patients, my role became that of a medical provider and friend.”
Jonson hopes his patients, colleagues, and the PA community will remember him as “a kind and loving provider who wanted the very best for them.
Acknowledgments
This biography was written by Randy Danielsen with the assistance of Jan Jonson. It was submitted to the Society in March 2025. All photographs are courtesy of Mr. Jonson.
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