Dr. Tyler D. Sommer
Director of Assessment
Associate Professor
Master of Science in Physician Associate Program
Biography
Tyler Sommer, PhD, MSPAS, PA-C is an award-winning educator, a board-certified PA, and an Associate Professor in the Physician Associate program at OBU. He currently serves as the Director of Assessment and also teaches within the didactic curriculum. He has worked full-time in PA education since 2015.
Prior to joining OBU, Dr. Sommer served as the Program Director of the PA program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions for several years. He continues to see patients regularly and has clinical practice experience in neurosurgery, family medicine, and emergency medicine. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing or kayaking, tending to his children and chickens, doing yard work, enjoying the sauna or cold plunge, or hiking the mountains somewhere in Utah or Idaho.
Education
- Ph.D., Health Sciences - Health Promotion and Wellness
- M.S., Physician Assistant Studies
- B.S., Neuroscience
Certifications and Licensure
- Nationally Certified PA - NCCPA (2013 - present)
- Licensed PA - Utah Department of Professional Licensing (2015 - present)
- Licensed PA - Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (2013 - 2015)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - AHA (2012 - present)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Instructor - AHA (2019 - present)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support - AHA (2012 - present)
Subjects Taught
- Applied Human Anatomy
- Clinical Medicine
- Clinical Reasoning
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
- PA Education Association (PAEA)
- Oklahoma Academy of Physician Associates (OAPA)
- Utah Academy of Physician Assistants (UAPA)
- American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)
Awards and Honors
- 2024 - Utah Valley's 40 Under 40 Honoree, Utah Valley BusinessQ Magazine
- 2022 - Utah Humanitarian PA of the Year, Utah Academy of Physician Assistants
- 2019 - Presidential Prominence Award, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
- 2018 - Rising Star Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
- 2018 - Utah County Sheriff's Volunteer Service Award, Utah County Sheriff
Selected Publications
- Baird JT, Stanford L, Sommer T. From the Clinic to the Classroom: A Pathway for Physician Assistants/Associates into Academia. Discover Education 3, 129 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00230-7
- Bushardt R, Colomb-Lippa DM, Klingler AM, Reed H. The JAAPA QRS Review for PAs: Study Plan and Guide for PANCE and PANRE. 1st ed. Wolters Kluwer; ISBN/ISSN: 9781975143817. Publication date: December 10, 2021. Authored the following six book chapters:
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Pertussis
- Celiac Disease
- Cerebral Vascular Accident and Transient Ischemic Attack
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
Selected Presentations
- “Fire and Ice: Exploring the Evidence of Sauna Use and Cold Plunges.” Invited conference presenter, 5th Annual Summit Medical Institute Conference at Sundance, Utah, September 2024
- “Bringing Lifestyle Medicine to the Forefront of Clinical Practice.” Conference presenter, Red Rock CME Conference of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants at St George, Utah, March 2024.
- “Bringing Lifestyle Medicine to the Forefront of PA Education and Population Health." Conference presenter, National Forum of the Physician Assistant Education Association, virtual due to COVID, October 2021.
- “Exercise is Medicine." Conference presenter, Red Rock CME Conference of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants, virtual due to COVID, April 2021.
- “Clinical Update: The New Diagnostic Criteria for Sepsis." Conference presenter, Red Rock CME Conference of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants at St George, Utah, April 2017.