Faculty & Staff

Professor Brenner received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Hofstra University in 1994. Five years later, he left his job as assistant manager of an art gallery to pursue a longstanding desire to practice medicine. He received his Physician Assistant Certificate from the Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers PA Program in 2001 and his Masters Degree in Advanced Physician Assistant Studies from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2004.

As one of a growing number of psychiatric physician assistants, Professor Brenner has practiced in decidedly diverse settings. He received his initial training and experience in the Acute Mental Observation Unit at Rikers Island Correctional Facility. He has since practiced in clinic and private settings, specializing in the treatment of children and adults with special needs. In addition to his clinical work, David is a peer reviewer for the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Professor Brenner’s primary responsibilities revolve around the program’s comprehensive Psychiatry course. During the preclinical year, he lectures on a variety of topics including mood disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and psychopharmacology. During the clinical year, David oversees students during their psychiatry clerkships. Throughout, his objectives are twofold: 1) enthuse and educate physician assistant students about the field of mental health; 2) instill in future PAs a genuine understanding of the effect of mental illness across all branches of medicine.

Professor Brenner is a member in good standing of the Association of Psychiatric Physician Assistants. He is also a recipient of the Neuroscience Education Institute’s Master Clinician in Psychopharmacology Certificate.

In his free time, David jogs, expands his collection of classic blues recordings, and attempts to justify to his family the large sum of money that went toward financing a degree in Communications.