March 1, 2016

Gopal Allada, M.D., clinical associate professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, has been appointed the new medical director of the Physician Assistant Program in the OHSU School of Medicine, effective March 1.

Dr. Allada was born and raised in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate and medical school education. After completing his internal medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin, he came to OHSU for his pulmonary and critical care fellowship. He is board certified in pulmonary medicine, critical care and sleep medicine.

In addition to his new role as medical director of the OHSU PA Program, Dr. Allada maintains a clinical practice at OHSU as a clinical associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, OHSU Department of Medicine. He also serves as adult program director of the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and director of the Pulmonary Clinic at OHSU. 

As part of his work with cystic fibrosis, he is a co-principal investigator for OHSU's Therapeutic Development Network (TDN) grant. This is a grant supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to support clinical research to investigate the next potential therapies to treat this fatal disease.

As part of his duties as medical director of the pulmonary clinic, Dr. Allada is involved in OHSU's OPEx (OHSU Performance Excellence System) program. OPEx was formed to improve operations and coordination in OHSU outpatient clinics to improve quality, safety, and access for patients.

Dr. Allada's inpatient duties include attending in the Medical Intensive Care Unit and the pulmonary consultation service. He has performed and staffed hundreds of medical procedures including bronchoscopies, chest tubes, thoracenteses and central lines. He received a palliative care award for recognition of his efforts with supporting patients and their families during end-of-life care situations.

Dr. Allada is a long-time lecturer for the program as part of the annual physician assistant board review course and has been involved with medical education since his arrival to OHSU. He has lectured to a variety of learners, including physician assistant students, medical students, nursing students, interns, residents and fellows. In addition, he has given clinical-based lectures at local, regional and national conferences. He has received several teaching awards during his tenure at OHSU.

"We warmly welcome Dr. Gopal Allada to his new role as medical director of the OHSU PA Program," said Ted Ruback, PA program director. "We look forward to working with him and benefiting from his clinical and educational experience."

Dr. Allada succeeds Ben Schneider, M.D., assistant professor of family medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, who stepped down from the role of PA Program medical director at the end of February. Dr. Schneider is assistant dean for undergraduate medical education in the OHSU School of Medicine. The program wishes to thank Dr. Schneider for his three years of service in this position.