Richard Davis, EdD, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA, stood as a distinguished leader in the physician assistant/physician associate (PA) profession with a remarkable career that spanned clinical practice, education, and administration. Davis significantly shaped PA education nationwide. His visionary leadership led to the development of numerous innovative healthcare programs, expanding educational opportunities for healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines. Davis’s contributions to the profession were further evidenced by his recognition as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Early Years
Born and raised with a calling to serve, Rick Davis dedicated his early career to the United States Air Force, where he served with distinction for 20 years before retiring in 1989. His early education included an associate’s degree in applied science from the Community College of the Air Force, which laid the foundation for his continued academic pursuits. His commitment to education and healthcare would become lifelong passions that would define his professional journey.
Davis pursued his education with dedication, earning a bachelor of science in occupational education from Southern Illinois University/Carbondale in 1978, followed by a bachelor of science in physician associate studies from the University of Oklahoma in 1981. He further advanced his education with a master of science in adult education from Troy State University (now Troy University), Troy, AL, in 1984. During his military service, Davis served as a PA from 1981 to 1989, where he was responsible for primary evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients in office and emergency room settings. He also supervised 14 out-patient clinics, managing personnel and resources. This clinical experience provided him with invaluable insights that would later inform his approach to healthcare education.
Career Accomplishments
After his military service, Davis continued his clinical practice in various settings, including Health Care Associates, Inc (a PA owned company), Arizona Public Service Company working at a nuclear facility, and CIGNA Healthcare of Arizona where he provided primary care services and urgent care. His transition to education began in 1995 when he became the founding director of the PA program at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) in Phoenix, Arizona (now A.T. Still University). In this role, he was responsible for developing and implementing the PA training program, directing faculty, and securing and administering grants.
In 1998, Richard Davis joined Nova Southeastern University as director of the PA program. His exceptional leadership skills were quickly recognized, and he was appointed associate dean of the College of Allied Health in 2000, then interim dean in 2001, and permanent dean in 2002. Under his leadership, the College of Allied Health and Nursing experienced tremendous growth, expanding from 450 students in 2002 to approximately 3,000 students, with revenue increasing from $5 million to over $45 million.
Davis’s vision for healthcare education resulted in the development of numerous innovative programs, including the doctor of health science (DHSc), bachelor of health science (BHSc), master of health science (MHSc), and multiple nursing programs. His administrative talents led to his promotion to vice president for the Regional Campus Network at NSU in 2013, where he oversaw campuses in multiple locations throughout Florida and Puerto Rico.
Throughout his career, Davis had been actively involved in professional organizations. He served on the Accreditation Review Commission on Physician Assistant Education (ARC-PA) for six years and held various leadership positions in the Veterans Caucus of the AAPA, including serving as president in 1998. He was particularly instrumental in promoting and expanding the Veterans Caucus scholarship program during the 1997-2000 timeframe, helping to increase funding from $2,000-$3,000 per year to $15,000 per year in a short time. Under his leadership, the organization secured numerous new scholarship donors, as he encouraged past presidents and colleagues to establish scholarships, including one honoring Ken Moritsugu’s lost loved ones and scholarships funded by Vicki and John Padgett, Jim Long, Frank Corcoran, and several pharmaceutical companies.
In 1999, Davis served as a mentor to the incoming president-elect of the Veterans Caucus, providing guidance during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Caucus in 2000, which featured a commemorative program with original artwork and a ceremony in Chicago. His contributions to the profession had been recognized with numerous awards, including the Civilian PA of the Year from the Veterans Caucus-AAPA in 1995, PA of the Year from the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants (ASAPA) in 1992, and PA of the Year from the Alabama Society of Physician Assistants in 1993. In 2008, he was named Healthcare Educator of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal.
Davis completed his doctor of education (EdD) in health care education from Nova Southeastern University in 2001, further enhancing his expertise in education. His scholarly activities include serving on editorial boards, reviewing publications, and developing educational programs. Throughout his career, Davis became known for his mentorship of colleagues and students, often providing firm but compassionate guidance. Colleagues recall his unique ability to motivate others to achieve their educational goals, sometimes with direct but effective encouragement. His dedication to the success of his mentees extended beyond formal roles, as he would often advocate behind the scenes for students facing challenges in completing their academic programs.
Davis retired from Nova Southeastern University in 2018 after a distinguished career in healthcare education. He was honored with the title of dean emeritus of the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences in 2021, recognizing his significant contributions to the institution. Following his retirement, Davis continued to share his expertise by serving as an adjunct professor in the doctor of medical science program at A.T. Still University from 2020 to 2022, where he guided PA doctoral students through the capstone process.
Personal Life
As of early 2025, Davis faced health challenges and received hospice care, with his daughter Kathleen providing support for him and his wife Margaret. Despite these challenges, his impact on the PA profession and healthcare education continued to resonate through the numerous programs he developed and the countless healthcare professionals whose education and careers he influenced. His legacy is characterized not only by his administrative and educational accomplishments but also by his personal commitment to mentoring colleagues and students, often going beyond formal responsibilities to ensure their success. Davis passed away on June 15, 2025.
Davis was born on March 10, 1950, in Titusville, Florida, which would later become known as the Space Capital during the late 1950s and 1960s. He grew up as the tenth of eleven children, with eight surviving to adulthood. While stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines in 1970, he met his future wife, Margaret Sullivan, who was serving as a U.S. Air Force nurse. Margaret, originally from Ansonia, Connecticut, and Rick were married on March 18, 1972, and recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary in 2025. Together, they had three children—Kathleen, Alex, and Daniel—and were blessed with eight grandchildren. Dr. Davis’s strong family foundation provided support throughout his distinguished professional career and continued to be a source of joy in his retirement.
Acknowledgments
This biography was written by Randy Danielsen with the assistance of Richard Davis. It was submitted to the Society in April 2025 and updated in June of the same year. All photographs were courtesy of Dr. Davis.
Photo 01: Richard Davis and his two sons; sons, Alex on the left and Danny on the right.
Photo 02: Richard Davis and his wife Margaret.
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