South College Atlanta PA faculty member named Humanitarian of the Year as program showcases excellence at GAPA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 2, 2026
South College Atlanta faculty and students excelled at the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) conference with the Humanitarian of the Year award, Medical Challenge Bowl championship, presentation of capstone projects and even winner of the beach volleyball tournament.
“We congratulate the way our students and faculty represented South College and performed at GAPA in all disciplines,” South College Atlanta President Josh Huffaker said. “We are proud of our Physician Assistant Studies program and are thrilled with the success on display at the conference.”
The annual conference, which took place over the summer at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, featured student competitions, networking opportunities, and the chance to earn continuing medical education credits for professionals.
Justin Willingham, a principal faculty member for the Physician Assistant Studies program, earned the Humanitarian of the Year award for his service and dedication to the PA profession, especially his leadership as chair of South College’s community service initiatives. The award recognizes a physician assistant who demonstrates a commitment to human rights by advancing high-quality healthcare in communities across Georgia.
South College defended its title in the Medical Challenge Bowl with another first-place finish in 2026 while competing against Brenau University, Emory University, Mercer University and South University. The team of Matthew Penny, class of 2026, and Grayson Jarman, class of 2027, demonstrated exceptional clinical knowledge.
Class of 2026 students presented eightresearch posters to highlight the outcomes of their capstone research projects. Cliff Rimpel earned third place for his research on Physician Associate Student Perspectives on Degree Reclassification. Faculty member Eva Duvall, and her group’s research, earned honorable mention for the presentation on Diagnostic Delay for Autoimmune Disease in Women: Differences Between Race, Decade of Life, and Interpersonal Processes of Care, earned honorable mention.
South College’s Team 27 volleyball squad won the first-place trophy in the beach volleyball tournament with a competitive spirit and loud cheering section throughout the event.
Students in the Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies are trained to assess healthcare issues, perform physical exams, provide preventative care, counsel behavioral health issues, and diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses and injuries.
Learn more about the PA program at south.edu/program/master-of-health-science-physician-assistant-studies-atlanta.
The Atlanta campus is located at 2600 Century Parkway NE. Interested students may call the admissions team at 404-282-3632 or visit south.edu/atlanta.
South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and through Competency-Based Education (CBE).
To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 22,000 students and is proud of its more than 25,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.