Westminster Professor Receives National Recognition as AAPA Distinguished Fellow

Dr. George White Jr. Recognized for Going “Above and Beyond” In Service to the Community and the Profession

SALT LAKE CITY – The American Academy of Physicians has recognized Dr. George L. White Jr., Director of Westminster’s new public health program, as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

The Distinguished Fellow Program recognizes AAPA members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service to the physician assistant (PA) profession, their commitment to advancing health care for all people, and their exemplary personal and professional development.

“To be recognized by my colleagues and national organization in this way is very humbling,” said Dr. White.

From 1968 to 1972, Dr. White served as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman and received an honorable discharge for his Vietnam-era service. After his Navy service, he completed PA training in October 1975, earned a bachelor of science in 1978, a Masters of Science in Public Health in 1981, and a Ph.D in 1987 from the University of Utah. He then continued his military service as a reservist in the Utah Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserve. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, as well as other federal and state decorations. Dr. White retired as a major from the Air Force Reserve in 1996 following 22 years of exemplary military service.

Dr. White has maintained certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) since 1976. He has also maintained a Utah license as sanitarian/environmental health scientist since 1985. In 1995, the AAPA selected Dr. White as the "Outstanding PA" of the year, and in 1996 the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. also named Dr. White as the "PA of the Year" for all federal agencies.

Prior to working at Westminster, Dr. White was a professor at the University of Utah, University of South Alabama, and the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2004, he graduated from the prestigious National Public Health Leadership Institute, a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He has authored over 200 journal articles and many book chapters on various health care topics.

Dr. White began working at Westminster College in the spring semester of 2008 as the new director of the graduate public health programs. His expertise in the health care field will be invaluable to leading the college’s first-ever program.

Dr. White has been married to Kaylene Thornock White for over 23 years and they have three children, George III (22), Kaitlin (19), and Kaycee (11). Kaylene is also an educator teaching at Salt Lake Community College and Brigham Young University.

Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community.

Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu.