Susan Salahshor, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, knew she wanted to work in medicine from a young age. Originally from Jamaica, she helped care for her grandmother who had an infected leg due to complications of diabetes. She moved to Queens, New York at 15 years so age where she met her first PA while in high school. After this encounter, Salahshor became interested in the PA profession.
Salahshor graduated in 1994 with a biology degree from St. John’s University and her PA studies degree from Bayley Seton Hospital, both located in New York State. In 2007, Salahshor attained her masters in PA studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She also received her PhD in philosophy with a specialization in healthcare administration from Capella University in 2016.
After being mentored and inspired by a faculty member from St. John’s University, Salahshor wanted to make a positive impact in the lives of others. She started her career as a PA educator in 2016 when she was invited to become a member of the founding faculty for Florida State University College of Medicine’s PA Program. In 2019, she became founding director of the PA program at Ithaca College until 2023. Since 2024, she has been the founding program director and division chair for the PA program in Ottawa University, Ottawa, KS.
Salahshor has been author and co-author of numerous publications, including book chapters and journal articles. She has also given presentations on education and diversity at the PAEA Education Forum, NCCPA REPRESENT Summit, AAPA Annual Conference, PA programs, and state chapters, among others. For more information on her publications, you may visit Dr. Salahshor’s Google Scholar Author Profile.
In addition to education, Salahshor has made an impact on the PA profession in numerous ways. She has served as member of the Florida Academy Board of Directors. She served as president of the board from 2015 to 2018; the first African American to hold the office. While on the Academy board, she chaired the Political Action Committee (2018-2020) and she created the Florida Academy of PA Leadership Academy. Salahshor has also served on the board of the PA Foundation (2020-2023), where she was treasurer (2022-2023) and on the ARC-PA’s Commission since 2022.
Salahshor has been recognized by the New York State Society as JEDI PA of the Year (2022), being named the PA Foundation’s Health Guardian (2018-2022), and awarded the Florida Academy of PAs’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2021).
Salahshor served three years in the US Army Reserve. She enjoys working out at Orangetheory Fitness, reading, dancing, and listening to music. She has 3 children and 2 grandchildren and spent her spare time being a Gigi.
To view a PA History Society oral history interview with Susan Salahshor from 2018, please click here.
Acknowledgments
This biography was written by PA History Society staff with the assistance of Susan Salahshor. It was submitted to the Society in September 2025. All photographs are courtesy of Dr. Salahshor.
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