Samantha Lucas

Biography

Physician Assistant with a bachelor’s degree in education; Clinical Assistant Professor at Clarkson University PA program; 7.5 years of clinical experience in the urgent care and emergency medicine setting; well-versed in creating lesson plans and excited to provide an inspiring learning environment; Clarkson MSPAS graduate; experienced with precepting PA students and assisting new graduate PAs; 2 additional years' experience grading Clarkson PA student clinical papers and term papers for clinical rotations; primary author for article published in JAAPA 

Education Background

• Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies - Clarkson University
• Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education - State University of New York at Potsdam

Experience

Clarkson University 
Clinical Assistant Professor 
June 2022 - Present | Physician Assistant Studies

• Leads the design, implementation, and continuous evaluation of the didactic phase curriculum to ensure alignment with ARC-PA standards and institutional goals.
• Oversee scheduling, coordination, and performance management for didactic faculty, guest lecturers, and instructional support staff.
• Develop and deliver lectures, learning modules, and assessment tools across core medical science and clinical medicine content areas.
• Chair curriculum committee meetings; facilitate faculty development sessions to enhance teaching effectiveness and assessment quality.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards by managing didactic phase data collection, outcomes reporting, and documentation.
• Implement evidence-based instructional strategies, simulation activities, and standardized patient encounters to support student clinical reasoning.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of student performance, progression, and remediation planning in collaboration with academic support and clinical faculty.
• Collaborate with program leadership to support strategic planning, program improvement initiatives, and student success outcomes.
• Serve as primary liaison between didactic faculty and program administration to ensure cohesive academic delivery and program cohesion.
• Lead annual didactic curriculum review and implement revisions based on student feedback, PANCE performance trends, and emerging best practices.

Rochester Regional Health
Physician Assistant
April 2019 - Present  | Urgent Care & Emergency Medicine

• Perform comprehensive patient evaluation, including detailed history, physical examination, ordering and interpretation of diagnostic studies, development of evidence-based treatment plans, and prescribing medications.
• Manage a wide range of acute and emergent conditions across diverse patient populations, coordinating care with outpatient providers, specialty services, and hospital teams.
• Facilitate patient transitions, including ED-to-inpatient admissions and transfers to tertiary care centers; triage and transfer higher acuity patients from urgent care to the emergency department.
• Proficient in clinical procedures including splinting/casting, incision & drainage, laceration repair, foreign body removal, local and regional anesthesia, nasal packing, foley catheter placement, joint reduction, and airway management.
• Document encounters efficiently using electronic medical records while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.
• Precept and evaluate Physician Assistant students, providing clinical teaching, feedback, and mentorship.

Clarkson University
Adjunct Professor
2019 - 2022 

Physician Assistant Studies

• Evaluate student performance by grading SOAP notes, history & physical examinations, written assignments, and term papers.
• Provide structured formative feedback to support learner growth, clinical reasoning, and professional development.

Salmon River Central School District
Substitute Teacher
2008 - 2010  

• Served as a full-time substitute for second grade (6 months) and a per-diem substitute for Pre-K through 6th grade.
• Developed lesson plans, maintained classroom management, and supported differentiated learning needs.
• Collaborated with students, parents, and educators to strengthen academic skills, address challenges, and promote long-term learning success.
• Demonstrated cultural responsiveness and inclusivity while encouraging students to explore varied learning styles. 

Teaching Interests

• Clinical Medicine
• Procedural Skills
• Physical Examination Techniques
• Hands-on and Experiential Learning

Service

Board Member: Potsdam Holiday Fund
Clarkson PA Students Without Borders Volunteer 
2021 - 2025

Research Interests

• Physical Examination
• Procedural skills

Clinical Practice

• Emergency Medicine
• Urgent Care

Publications

Severe Type IV Hiatal Hernia Secondary to Congenital Shortened Esophagus. Weller S, Powers C, Sly B, Parnes N, Ciani C. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. 30(10): 1-3, October 2017