Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Faculty Spotlight

Laura Gunder McClary, D.H.Sc., M.H.E., PA-C

Prior to joining the Physician Assistant (PA) Program in Orlando, Laura Gunder McClary served as the director of research and faculty development in the Medical College of Georgia’s physician assistant program. During her time at the Georgia college, she developed and implemented the research curriculum.

Since joining the NSU Orlando team, Gunder McClary has modified several of the research courses to follow the hybrid model and incorporated educational best practices that have greatly improved student outcomes and satisfaction. She personally meets with every student to provide advice on research topics and evaluate their manuscripts for their Graduate Project courses. More than 50 of these students have since had their work accepted or published in peer-reviewed journals.

In addition to being the program’s resident research and scholarship expert, Gunder McClary is a mentor for the faculty members, encouraging them to increase their scholarship activities. She has provided several faculty members with guidance in developing research projects and opportunities to join her in various research projects.

Gunder McClary coauthored a textbook called Essentials of Medical Genetics for Health Professionals, which was published in 2010. She even provided her coworkers an opportunity to revise and edit chapters in the textbook. Most recently, her interprofessional genetics textbook and supplemental curriculum materials have been accepted for publication. Many of the Orlando PA faculty members have joined her in this project, which is expected to be published in 2018. Gunder McClary leads by example, with 14 articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

A skilled grant writer, Gunder McClary serves as the grant lead, coprincipal investigator, or sub-investigator for several grants, with cumulative awards of more than $1.6 million since 2003. Most recently, the Florida Blue Improve Consumer Health Grant worth $222,000 was approved for a Health Advocacy Services Pilot Project. The three-year grant will provide health advocacy and preventive care to more than 200 patients annually in Osceola County.

These services cover medical and mental health needs, with Gunder McClary serving as the medical director and the grant lead. As part of this grant submission, she gave a compelling presentation to the Florida Blue Foundation, leading to the grant’s approval. Additionally, she practiced telemedicine for two years with a nonprofit organization in Central Florida.

Gunder McClary is a highly sought-after speaker at national and regional medical conferences. She gives several presentations each year at the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants conference, the Georgia Academy of Physician Assistants conference, in the NSU Doctor of Health Science program, and for CME Resources. Since 2011, she also has leveraged her experience to start and operate a medical education consulting business that assists M.D. and PA programs in curriculum development and delivery, as well as in the attainment of initial accreditation and continuing accreditation processes.