Linda Sekhon, DHSc, PA-C, has been a PA since 1983 and a PA educator since 1996. Her service to the profession began the year she graduated from PA school when she was elected vice president of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants. During her tenure as a PA, she has served in numerous leadership positions at the state and national level.
Sekhon grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania. She graduated from Blairsville High School and was presented her diploma by her father who served as the vice president of the school board. It was through her father’s influence she recognized the value of service, leadership, and volunteering your time for the benefit of others. She grew up playing piano and gave her first “elementary school” concert at the age of 10.
Sekhon graduated from the Gannon University PA program in 1983 and got her first clinical position as a hospitalist at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated with a master of medical science (MMS) degree from St. Francis University in 1997. It was during this time she turned her focus on PA education. Sekhon earned a doctor of health science (DHSc) degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010.
Sekhon worked clinically in a variety of internal medicine specialty settings but spent the bulk of her clinical career working In the field of rheumatology. She has several rheumatology related peer reviewed presentations as well as publications to her credit, many of which are in the Journal of the AAPA (JAAPA). She frequently has been an invited speaker at the PAEA Education Forum. To visit Sekhon’s Google Scholar Profile for a list of all her publications, please click here.
Sekhon is a tenured professor. Her first faculty appointment was with Chatham University (Pittsburgh, PA), She later accepted positions at Seton Hill College PA program (Greensburg, PA) and Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). She held various positions during her tenure, including Problem-Based Learning (PBL) facilitator, clinical coordinator, academic coordinator, and assistant program director. In 2011, she was recruited to start a new PA program at High Point University (High Point, NC) where she served as founding chair and program director. In 2020, she accepted a position as chair of the Medical Studies Department and program director for the Doctor of Medical Science program at Butler University (Indianapolis, IN). In 2021, she returned to High Point University to serve as the founding chair of the medical sciences department and program director for the doctor of medical science program. In this position she oversaw the development of the master of healthcare administration and masters in biomedical science programs, and she continues to maintain her faculty position in the PA program.
During her tenure at High Point University, Sekhon has played a large role in the community. She was appointed to the University of North Carolina Health Professional Community Precepting Work Group (2017-2019) by the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors to develop policy recommendations for a robust statewide system of precepting. She served on the editorial board for the North Carolina Medical Journal (2018-2023) which is co-published by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and the Duke Endowment. Sekhon also served as a board trustee for the High Point Regional UNC Healthcare System (2014 – 2019) and worked with the board during a transition to the Wake Forest Health High Point Medical Center.
Linda Sekhon has played an active role in service to the profession by her involvement as a facilitator for the PAEA Faculty Skills 101 workshop (2012 – 2019) and the Program Director 101 (2019) workshop. Sekhon began serving on the board of the PAEA in 2019 as director at large. While on the board, she worked on the development of a strategic plan including goals and objectives, core values, and a revision of the mission statement. She served as president of the board in 2023 during which time the board worked on governance structure as well as hosting the PAEA Doctoral Summit.
Sekhon has received numerous awards and recognitions including: AAPA Outstanding Service Award (2019), Paragon Publishing Award (2012), Michael J. Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award – Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates (2012), AAPA Feature – Exemplary PAs (2010), and AAPA Leadership Excellence (2009). She has been honored as a keynote speaker at numerous white coat ceremonies including High Point University (2022), Duquesne University (2012), and the University of Pittsburgh PA Program Inaugural White Coat Ceremony (2009). She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates (2010) and was inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants from Gannon University in 2006 for leadership, service, and contributions to the PA profession (2006).
Linda Sekhon served as vice president of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (1988), president of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (2007 -2009) as well as Governmental Affairs Chair (2009 – 2011) and liaison to the State Board of Medicine (2011), and secretary for the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (2015 – 2020). She held numerous positions with the American Academy of PAs, including Standing Rules Committee member (2012 – 2014), Governance Commission Chair (2012 – 2016) and various positions in the House of Delegates (2005 – 2020). She is a member of PAEA and the North Carolina Academy of PAs.
In her free time Sekhon enjoys piano and spending time with family and friends.
Acknowledgments
This biography was prepared by Linda Sekhon with assistance from Bill Kohlhepp and submitted to the Society in February 2025.
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