Julia Frey, M.P.A.S. '13, P.A.-C., was recently recognized as the 2018 recipient of the Karen Whitaker Knapp Service Award.

This award recognizes physician assistants whose clinical careers reflect a commitment to the rural and medically underserved communities of Oregon.

P.A. program leaders selected Frey for her dedication to the patients of Wallace Medical Concern and her commitment as a clinical preceptor, role model and mentor to students of the OHSU Physician Assistant program. "Julia has shown an enduring commitment to providing high-quality health care to all individuals, regardless of circumstances. OHSU is proud to acknowledge her contributions with this award," said J. Glenn Forister, Ph.D., P.A.-C., Physician Assistant Education Division Head and Program Director.

Following her completion of the Physician Assistant Program in 2013, Frey joined the team of health care providers at Wallace Medical Concern, who provide primary care and urgent health care to all patients in need. Two days a week, Frey travels in the Mobile Medical Clinic to different neighborhoods to improve access to health care to those in need.

This award is in honor of Karen Whitaker Knapp, who, as director of the Oregon Office of Rural Health, was instrumental in establishing the OHSU Physician Assistant Program and in supporting Physician Assistant practice in the state.

Previous awardees include:

• 2016 –Pat Buckley, N.D., PA-C
• 2015 –Kristin Kimmel Schmidtgall, M.P.H., M.P.A.S., P.A.-C.
• 2014 –Linell Wood, C.H.A.P.,P.A.-C.
• 2013 –Matthew Beria, Ph.D., P.A.-C.
• 2012 –Emily Jacobsen, M.P.A.S.,P.A.-C.
• 2011 –Rob Soans, P.A.-C.
• 2010 –Stan Ferguson, P.A.-C.
• 2009 –Barbara Martin, M.S., P.A.-C.
• 2008 –Dave Jones, P.A.-C.
• 2007 –Bob Davis, P.A.-C.
• 2006 –Kevin Heidrick, P.A.-C.

Pictured above: Picture 1: Julia Frey, M.P.A.S. '13, P.A.-C., with Karen Whitaker Knapp Service Award plaque. Picture 2: (left to right) J. Glenn Forister, Ph.D., P.A.-C.; Claire Hull, M.H.S., P.A.-C. ;Julia Frey, M.P.A.S. '13, P.A.-C.