Don Diemer

Dr. Don Diemer has been the director of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Physician Assistant program since 2011. He graduated from he USAF PA Program in 1996 and served on active duty from 1983 until 2006. During his time as a PA in the Air Force Dr. Diemer practiced clinically at numerous locations in family medicine and emergency medicine and taught battlefield and disaster medicine, ACLS and PALS. Upon retirement from the military, Dr. Diemer became faculty at the Texas Tech University PA program from 2006-2010, serving in a number of roles including principal faculty, director of clinical education, and then associate director. Dr. Diemer earned a Doctor of Health Science degree from AT Still University in 2011. In 2020 Dr. Diemer founded the Southern Illinois University Doctor of Medical Science program after recognizing the need and enthusiasm of the PA profession for an advanced degree that was specific to PAs and might help them be more marketable, if they desired leadership positions in healthcare or education. He also recognized the desire of many in the PA profession to create parity with other health professionals, almost all of which have an avenue to attain a professional doctorate.
Dr. Diemer’s passions in PA medicine are increasing access to quality of care for rural and underserved, problem-based learning, and PA advocacy. While working in PA education he has continuously practiced clinically in rural and health profession shortage areas. Dr. Diemer has assisted in authoring and lobbying for many legislative changes that have improved the PA practice environment in Illinois.