Metzger named Chair of UND’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies 

Jay Metzger, Ph.D., PA-C, associate professor in the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) Department of Physician Assistant (P.A.) Studies, has been named Chair and Program Director of UND’s Physician Assistant Program.

“The strength of our physician assistant program has always been its people,” said Metzger. “My role is to make sure our faculty and staff have the support they need to do their best work and that our students are prepared to provide excellent care to the patients and communities who will depend on them.” 

Metzger has been a faculty member of North Dakota’s only P.A. training program since 2013 and has served in numerous teaching and committee leadership roles both in the Department and at the SMHS. A physician assistant by training, Metzger earned his Ph.D. in educational foundations and research from UND and has extensive clinical experience in family medicine, emergency medicine, and trauma surgery. He continues to practice part-time in a rural North Dakota clinic. 

“We are excited to have Dr. Metzger as chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies,” said David Relling, P.T., Ph.D., senior associate dean for health sciences at the SMHS. “Jay is a successful leader and educator who is passionate about P.A. education and focused on student success through strong support for P.A. faculty and staff. I look forward to working with him in this new role.” 

Metzger’s program saw renewed attention following the North Dakota legislative session in 2025, when the program was included in a bill designed to increase the number of North Dakota students enrolling in UND’s medical doctor and physician assistant programs. UND responded with a project called North Dakota 85, or “ND85,” which seeks to reach 85% North Dakota students in its M.D. and P.A. programs by 2030. 

One year in, the program has seen success, with UND’s P.A. and M.D. programs both seeing 82% of their incoming classes listing North Dakota hometown addresses.

“We need to keep the North Dakota students who want to live in North Dakota here,” Metzger said. “Multiple studies have shown that if you train here, you’ll stay here. I think that’s a good thing, not only as a taxpayer but as an educator and a North Dakotan.” 

A longtime advocate for the P.A. profession, Metzger has held leadership positions at the state and national levels. He currently serves as chair of the North Dakota Board of Medicine and previously served five terms as president of the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants. His contributions to P.A. education and the profession have been recognized with the Physician Assistant Education Association’s New Faculty Award for Professional Excellence and the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants P.A. of the Year Award. 

“My goal is to listen, remove barriers where I can, and help the people around me succeed,” Metzger said. “If we continue to work together, stay focused on our students, and remain responsive to the healthcare needs of North Dakota, the program will be well positioned for the future.”