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Professor Lombardo received his initial Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After working as an adolescent counselor he was accepted into the first physician assistant class at Stony Brook University and graduated from the inaugural PA class in 1973 as the school’s valedictorian. In 1974 he joined the faculty of the Stony Brook PA Program, becoming chair of the department in 1983. Paul then completed his master’s degree with a concentration in health care administration at New School University in NYC. He has worked clinically in occupational and employee health and completed an advanced emergency medicine certificate.

Professor Lombardo is responsible for overall administration of the program, including program self-evaluation and faculty/staff coordination. He teaches across several disciplines and is responsible for problem-based learning instruction and the Professional Issues course, as well as coordinating the Ophthalmology and Nephrology units of clinical medicine. Paul is a recipient of the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) and a Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Paul has represented the physician assistant profession on many national and state committees dealing with health policy and has authored several articles related to the profession. Professor Lombardo was a contributing author to the first textbook specifically written for physician assistants. He is a past-president of the AAPA, Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP), Physician Assistant Foundation (PAF), and NYSSPA.

In the PA profession’s leadership arena Paul is the only PA to have served as the President of the AAPA, APAP, and the PAF. In addition to elected office, Professor Lombardo has chaired numerous committees and task forces. Among these are the AAPA Leadership Task Force, the APAP Development Committee, the AAPA Task Force on Recruitment and Retention, and the PAF and APAP Nominating Committees. He has also served a board member for the Accreditation Review Commission for PA Education (ARC-PA) and AAPA Liaison to the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. He is currently a member of the University Faculty Senate and APAP BOD. Professor Lombardo has a particular interest in promoting leadership and international health opportunities in the profession.

During his free time Paul enjoys sailing, canoeing, bike riding, the theater, and family activities. He is often engaged in philanthropic activities and enjoys working with people from all walks of life, learning about diverse cultures and traveling to new places.