Baylor Physician Assistant Studies Program Welcomes New Faculty Leadership
Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to welcome two new faculty members to the Physician Assistant Studies program this May. Roland J. Paquette, PhD, PA-C, joins the Baylor PA team as Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Outcomes and Assessment, and Meghan E. Joyce, DSc, PA-C, as Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education.
“I am so happy to welcome Drs. Joyce and Paquette to Robbins College and the larger Baylor family. They each have specialized clinical, educational, and administrative experience that will be vital to our developing program,” said Meredith Quinene, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, Director of Baylor’s Physician Assistant Studies program. “We are blessed that they have agreed to join us and help direct the creation and implementation of our innovative curriculum.”
“Meghan Joyce and Roland Paquette are great additions to the team as Baylor University continues to build out this exciting hybrid PA program,” added Denny Kramer, PhD, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and the Division of Health Professions in Robbins College. “Drs. Joyce and Paquette bring a wealth of experience to the program and unique perspectives that will serve the students and the program well as Dr. Quinene and team develop this world-class program within a private Christian university and a nationally ranked Research I institution. We look forward to seeing the PA faculty and staff thrive in the Robbins College and make a positive impact through their leadership and service and their commitment to academic excellence.”
Roland J. Paquette
Roland J. Paquette, PhD, PA-C, comes to Baylor from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he served as Assistant Professor and Director of Curriculum and Outcomes in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and practices clinically in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Each year from 2019 to 2023, Paquette has received the Kent Keeton Outstanding Teaching Award, a recognition bestowed by each graduating class from UT Health Science Center’s Physician Assistant Studies department—a testament to Paquette’s commitment to excellence in teaching.
Paquette is a board-certified physician assistant with a specialization in Emergency Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico and his Master of Physician Assistant Studies and PhD in Health Science from UT Health San Antonio. Paquette is involved in multiple national-level medical organizations ranging from educational to military medical topics.
"I am honored and blessed to join the Baylor Physician Assistant Program,” Paquette said. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to contribute to the development of the next generation of compassionate and skilled physician assistants. Together, we will create an environment that fosters excellence, collaboration, and exceptional patient care."
Meghan E. Joyce
Meghan E. Joyce, DSc, MPAS, PA-C, has served over 20 years in the U.S. Army and five years as Program Director and Assistant Professor for the U.S. Army – Baylor University Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies – Orthopaedics (DSc-PASO) program. During her time with Army-Baylor, Joyce also served as Chair for the DSc-PAS – Orthopaedics program and as Orthopaedics Research Leader, directing resident research projects and providing mentorship and assistance. In addition, Joyce served as Chief of the Acute Care Clinical Operations Division for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center.
Joyce is a board-certified physician assistant with a specialization in Orthopaedics. She received undergraduate degrees from Elon University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and her Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Baylor University.
"I am thrilled to be joining Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences!” Joyce said. “I am excited to learn from inspiring colleagues and contribute to the groundbreaking work of developing a program that is creative with a core curriculum that empowers students to think critically and provide the highest quality patient care."
Baylor University has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and anticipates matriculating its first class in October 2025, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the June 2025 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.