Elisa Sterner, M.P.A.S., PA-C is a clinical assistant professor in the IU physician assistant studies program. She also co-chairs the program's admissions committee. Since being appointed as faculty in May 2013, her primary focus has been the development and coordination of patient evaluation courses. These provide students with essential clinical skills in medical history taking and physical examination, areas in which students consistently score well on preceptor evaluations during their clinical training.
Prior to joining the faculty of the department, Sterner practiced clinically as a physician assistant in outpatient family medicine in both urban and suburban settings. In her role, she focused on health promotion and preventative care, women’s health, and coordinating grants—centering on improvement of clinical care and outcomes for diabetic patients and provision of clinical breast exams and imaging in underserved populations. Also, she served as coordinator and preceptor for physician assistant students rotating in family medicine.
Sterner graduated from Taylor University with a B.A. in biology and received an M.S. in biology from Purdue University before completing her physician assistant studies (MPAS) degree at the University of Iowa.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Sterner serves as a faculty advisor, a member of the curriculum committee, and chair of the awards and scholarships committee for the program. She is also involved in the ongoing development and implementation of objective structured clinical examinations throughout the curriculum.
