Emory & Henry College has named the founding chair and program director for its developing Physician Assistant Program, as part of its continued expansion of the School of Health Science in Marion, Va.

Scott Richards, who joined the E&H School of Health Sciences on June 1, has been certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants for more than 20 years. He has experience as a family practice and behavioral medicine physician assistant – all at rural and inner city community health centers and family practices serving impoverished and underserved patients.

Richards brings extensive leadership and accreditation experience to the E&H Physician Assistant Program, according to Lou Fincher, dean of the School of Health Sciences in Marion. “Hiring the director is an important milestone and keeps us on track with our planned schedule for starting the physician assistant program in the fall of 2017.”

Richards completed both his master and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from

Walden University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with honors from the University of Massachusetts and a bachelor of science degree from Hahnemann University in medical sciences and physician assistant studies.

Prior to joining Emory & Henry, he served as the director of clinical education for the Lynchburg College Physician Assistant Program and as assistant professor, program director and associate dean for physician assistant programs at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science. He also served on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Society of Physician Assistants.