Elijah Salzer, DMSc, PA-C, NYSAFE, C-EFM, CAQ-OBGYN, is an accomplished physician assistant/associate (PA), educator, lecturer, and Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) with over three decades of specialized experience in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN).
Early Years:
Born and raised in New York City, Elijah Salzer grew up as an only child. His hobbies included reading, playing baseball, visiting museums, and spending time with friends. Initially aspiring to be a writer, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Biblical Literature from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1982. This field of study captivated him because it encompassed history, archaeology, literary criticism, languages, art, theology, and philosophy. Afterwards, Salzer pursued his master of arts degree in Religion at Columbia University and completed his studies in 1987. During this time, he worked in academic libraries—including Smith College Libraries and Columbia University Science Division Libraries—eventually advancing to supervisory and managerial positions. During this time, Salzer gained valuable organizational and leadership skills that would prove instrumental in his PA education and career.
A pivotal moment occurred when one of Salzer’s close friends needed surgery, and her mother commented that Salzer should be in medicine. It was at this time when Salzer realized that, even though he enjoyed the study of religion, he did not love it. During a work-study position assisting a neurosurgeon with research, Salzer came across the book The Physician Assistant: A Guide to Clinical Practice by Ruth Ballweg, MPA, PA-C Emeritus and immediately thought that the PA profession sounded too good to be true. After more research, he applied to both PA and medical programs, ultimately getting accepted into the Cornell Surgical Assistant Program, Long Island University (LIU) PA Program, and Albany Medical College’s MD Program. After carefully weighing his options, Salzer chose the LIU PA Program, as he prioritized clinical versatility over a surgery-focused path and perceived prestige.
PA School:
Some memorable experiences during PA school included working with renowned British neurologist Oliver Sacks at Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx and having William Toler, PA-C, the first PA licensed in New York, as a preceptor. Initially, Salzer was not particularly interested in OB/GYN. However, he discovered his calling in this specialty after becoming captivated by the physiology of pregnancy and completing his OB/GYN clerkship with Lynne Meccariello, PA-C, the director of the Montefiore Postgraduate PA Residency Program at the time. These experiences propelled Salzer to complete another clerkship in high-risk OB at Montefiore with Meccariello. In 1992, Salzer graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelor of Science in PA Studies, receiving both the Program Director’s Award for highest GPA and the Stanley S. Bergen Award for excellence in clinical work.
Clinical Work:
After graduating PA school, Salzer completed his OB/GYN residency at North Central Bronx Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center in 1993, an experience he describes as one of the best decisions of his career. He subsequently began his clinical career at Montefiore in 1993 as an OB/GYN PA, advancing to senior OB/GYN PA in 1996. From 1998 to 2002, he served as senior PA for The Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), the largest and most enduring natural history study of HIV in women that was sponsored by the NIH. Since 2007, Salzer has worked in the Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Program at Mount Sinai Hospital as a certified New York State sexual assault forensic examiner. In the same year, he also began working as a GYN PA at Eastchester Medical Associates, a position he continues to hold. From 2013 to 2017, Salzer worked as a staff OB/GYN PA at NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital.
PA Educator:
Elijah Salzer became assistant professor and clinical coordinator (2003); academic coordinator (2004); program director (2004–2005); associate professor and program director (2005–2013) at the LIU Division of Physician Assistant Studies; he served as assistant dean of the School of Health Professions (2005–2006) at LIU. He has been a guest lecturer at multiple PA programs primarily at institutions in New York and Connecticut. In 2017 to 2021, Salzer joined the full-time faculty at the Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital PA Program with the rank of clinical associate professor. He was promoted to clinical professor in 2021. In 2020, Salzer earned his doctor of medicine science (DMSc) at the University of Lynchburg.
Salzer explains how his clinical practice informs his teaching and vice versa, noting how both continuously enhance each other. In addition to serving underserved, non-native-English-speaking patient populations in the Bronx, Salzer has been extensively involved in professional activities, including peer reviewing, serving as an expert witness, and giving presentations at state, regional, national and international conferences. He has contributed to publications and serves on numerous Pace University committees. Salzer is president-elect and co-chair of the education committee, of the LBGT PA Caucus, reflecting his commitment to diversity and inclusion in healthcare.
Recognitions:
Salzer’s dedication to education and patient care has earned him numerous recognitions, including nomination for the Frank Cartica Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching (LIU Division of PA Studies, 2006); induction into Pi Alpha National Honor Society for PAs (2008) and Alpha Eta National Allied Health Honor Society (2009); nomination for the Lydia Martinez Collaboration Award for Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault, 2009); fellowship in the New York Academy of Medicine (2020); and the prestigious Paul Lombardo, MPS, PA-C Emeritus Educator of the Year Award (New York State Society of PAs [NYSSPA], 2025).
Refelctions and Personal Life:
When asked about the most rewarding aspects of his career, Salzer emphasizes three key points: (1) his residency experience, (2) the trust patients place in him for their care, and (3) the trust students place in him for their education. Beyond his professional life, Salzer is a certified therapy dog team member with The Good Dog Foundation. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, going to the gym, spending time with his chosen family, reading, attending cultural events and museums, enjoying performing arts, and traveling.
Acknowledgements
This biography was prepared by Phoebe Kubo with the assistance of Elijah Salzer. It was submitted to the Society in November 2025. Photographs are provided courtesy of Dr. Salzer.
When using information from this biography, please provide the proper citation as described within the PA History Society Terms of Use.
To request the use of the photographs that accompany this biography, please contact the PA History Society to request permission as some photographs might have restrictions on their use.