Lindsay Gietzen, Ph.D., M.S., PA-C

Title: Program Director, Associate Professor, PA Science
Office: 1029 Human Health Building
Phone: (248) 364-8684
Fax: (248) 364-8657
E-mail: lgietzen@oakland.edu

Educational Background: 
Ph.D.; Education Evaluation and Research (Quantitative Methods); Wayne State University
M.S.; Physician Assistant Studies; Wayne State University
B.A.; Sociology, University Honors; Wayne State University

Teaching Interests: 
Lindsay Gietzen, PhD, PA-C is the founding director for the developing Oakland University PA Science Program. The program will focus on interprofessional collaborations throughout the School of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, and OUWB School of Medicine, while honoring its foundational roots in the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences (CDS). Dr. Gietzen has over 10 years of experience as a PA, as well as in PA education. 

Prior to her role at Oakland University, Dr. Gietzen served as an Associate Professor, Clinical Coordinator and a developing member of the Michigan State University PA Medicine Program in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.  She also had extensive experience at Wayne State University’s Department of PA Studies, with the roles of Clinical Coordinator, Assistant Professor, and Admissions Coordinator.  While at Wayne State, Dr. Gietzen received teaching awards and was recognized by Special Olympics of Michigan for her collaboration with their organization.

Clinically, Dr. Gietzen’s expertise was in Neurological Surgery, where she served as the Clinical Manager and lead PA at the Michigan Brain and Spine Surgery Center.  In her neurosurgical role, Dr. Gietzen collaborated with Dr. Lucia Zamorano on revolutionary computer image guided neurosurgical techniques and instrumentation for brain and spine surgeries, including less invasive approaches and cutting edge technologies, such as robotic assisted surgery, gamma knife, and endoscopic spine surgery. Her other clinical practice included emergency medicine and she is currently a national expert on bleeding control and immediate trauma response during active violence events.   

Research/Scholarship: 
Dr. Gietzen’s research interests include advancements in neurological surgery, pain management, vestibular dysfunction, special needs populations, interprofessional education, educational simulation, and educational evaluation. 

Professional Affiliations: 
Dr. Gietzen is a Member of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistant Education Association, and the Association of Neurosurgical Physician Assistants, where she serves in the role of Director at Large. She is also serving an appointment to the American Council on Education as a curriculum evaluator for medical military programs.

Personal Interests: 
Dr. Gietzen lives in Macomb County with her two children.  She enjoys golfing, yoga, and traveling.

Oakland University has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Oakland University anticipates matriculating its first class in October 2023, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the June 2023 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards.