Community Advocacy Award Winner Susan Salahshor

By Danica Fisher ’05, August 11, 2022

Awarded by POCN, the largest nurse practitioner and physician associate network in the US.

Susan Salahshor, director of the PA program, surrounded by the first cohort of PA students at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new PA building at Ithaca College. (Photo Credit: Dave Burbank)

Susan Salahshor, PhD, PA-C, founding program director for the Ithaca College Physician Assistant Studies Program, was named POCN Q2 NP/PA Community Advocacy Award winner. POCN is the largest nurse practitioner (NP) and physician associate (PA) network in the U.S., and the award program aims to recognize and support NPs and PAs who go above and beyond for their peers and respective communities. In recognition, POCN awards a grant to a deserving organization of the winners’ choice that supports the NP/PA community. Dr. Salahshor has more than 25 years’ experience as a PA and also plays an active role in POCN’s mission as a POCN Ambassador.

Salahshor joined Ithaca College in November 2019 as the PA program director, and helped to curate the curriculum. Throughout her career, Salahshor has been a fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the medical field through mentorship and education. As a PA, she practiced at Mayo Clinic and several Florida hospital systems spanning 10 specialties, including internal medicine, behavioral health, and surgery.

“I am honored to be named as an NP/PA Community Advocate and thrilled to represent my colleagues who work each and every day to create a more welcoming, diverse and equitable healthcare field."

Susan Salahshor, PhD, PA-C, Founding Program Director for the Ithaca College PA Program

“Dr. Salahshor is a true leader in the NP and PA community, ensuring everyone, regardless of background, has a chance to succeed in the industry and in their community,” says Richard Zwickel, Founder and CEO of POCN. “Her passion and dedication to the communities she serves is evident across her professional career as a PA, educator and community leader. On behalf of all of us at POCN, congratulations to Dr. Salahshor for this well-deserved honor. We are proud to donate to the Village at Ithaca on her behalf.”

The Ithaca College PA program has created its own diversity statement, which establishes a focus on an equity framework that seeks to be representative of all people, including those impacted by systemic disadvantages and marginalization. Faculty and staff meet monthly to discuss next steps for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and have completed all of the Harvard implicit bias training modules.

“The PA program faculty and staff have been purposeful in understanding diversity, equity and inclusion. Our final admissions committee has a staff or faculty member outside the program who represents the DEI community, to ensure we address our implicit bias during this critical process for applicants.”

Susan Salahshor, PhD, PA-C, Founding Program Director for the Ithaca College PA Program

“The PA program faculty and staff have been purposeful in understanding diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Salahshor. “Our final admissions committee has a staff or faculty member outside the program who represents the DEI community, to ensure we address our implicit bias during this critical process for applicants.”

On behalf of Salahshor’s mission, POCN made a contribution to Village at Ithaca, an organization focused on educational equity for Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, low income, and any other underserved students within Tompkins County.

“I am honored to be named as an NP/PA Community Advocate and thrilled to represent my colleagues who work each and every day to create a more welcoming, diverse and equitable healthcare field,” said Salahshor. “I am hopeful the donation to Village at Ithaca will further its mission in my community as they chip away at the social and structural determinants of health early to set young individuals up for a bright future. As a POCN Ambassador, I look forward to working together to advocate for NPs and PAs across the U.S.”