Physician Assistant Faculty

Department Co-Chair – Yasmin Chene, DHSc, MPA, PA-C
Yasmin Chene earned her Master of Physician Assistant degree from Loma Linda University in 2002. She subsequently completed a fellowship in Rural Medicine in 2003 and soon after accepted a position as the Associate Clinical Coordinator for the LLU PA Program. She completed her doctorate in Health Sciences from Nova Southeastern University in 2009. Currently she functions as the PA Sciences Department Co-Chair for Loma Linda University.  She also oversees the operations and practices clinically at the SACHS Frazee Clinic, a family practice clinic for the underserved community in San Bernardino, California. Dr. Chene coordinates the following courses for the LLU PA Program: PA Professional Issues, Multicultural Competencies for PAs and Cultural Immersion for PAs. In addition, she also contributes to the didactic and clinical phases of the program in the following courses: Physical Diagnosis, Diagnostic Methods and Clinical Skills. Dr. Chene’s areas of interest include interprofessional education and vulnerable populations.

Interim Department Chair – David  Lopez, EdD, RRT 

Program Director – Christy Eskes, MPA, PA-C
Christy Eskes holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Physician Assistant degree from Loma Linda University. She joined the department in 2009 and has been the Program Director since 2010. Her clinical experience has been primarily in the area of Family Medicine, and she continues to practice in a local clinic for the underserved community. Her responsibilities at the program include overseeing the didactic and clinical curriculum, maintaining program accreditation, advising students, and teaching various lectures in Diagnostic Methods, Multicultural Competencies and Clinical Medicine. Professor Eskes is currently completing her Doctor of Health Science degree with an emphasis in Advanced Physician Assistant Studies from A.T. Still University.

Medical Director – Benny Hau, MD
Dr. Benny Hau has been the Medical Director for the Physician Assistant program since the inception of the program in 1998. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Yale University and his Medical Degree from Loma Linda University.  He is board certified in Family Practice and completed his internship and residency at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Fontana, California.  Soon after finishing his residency, he became the Medical Director of the Urgent Care at Loma Linda University.  He has also been Medical Director of the Loma Linda University Family Practice residency clinic and Associate Director of the Loma Linda University Family Practice Pre-doctoral program. 

In addition to his responsibilities with the Physician Assistant program, Dr. Hau owns several private practice clinics in Southern California where he extensively works with physician assistants.  Recently, he has been active in multiple research projects with the Physical Therapy program at Loma Linda University.  He also is the lead advisory board member for several of the medical vocational schools in the area. He is also on the Board of Directors for the national non-profit organization, Fathers and Families.

Didactic Coordinator – Frank Sirna, BS, RRT, PA-C 

Associate Didactic Coordinator – Julie Yang, MPH, CHPE, PA-C 

Clinical Coordinator – Gerald Glavaz, MPAS, PA-C
Gerald (“Jerry”) Glavaz earned his Bachelor of Science from Eastern Illinois University and his Physician Assistant Certificate from Northeastern University in Boston. He completed his Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at the University of Nebraska, and is currently matriculating in the A.T. Still University Doctor of Health Sciences program. Professor Glavaz has served as a Clinical Coordinator since joining the department in 2003, overseeing the clinical education phase of the program. He currently is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association’s Clinical Education Committee. He continues to practice clinically in Occupational Medicine and Orthopedics.

Associate Clinical Coordinator – Ghina Katrib, MPA, PA-C
Ghina Katrib received a Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care/Health Fitness Management Promotion and Education from Columbia Union College in 1994. She obtained a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Sciences in 2003 from Loma Linda University and has worked in several fields including urgent care, orthopedics and dermatology.  She returned to Loma Linda University in 2007 as the Associate Didactic Coordinator and currently is the Associate Clinical Coordinator for the Physician Assistant program. Her responsibilities include coordination of the clinical year and teaching Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in the didactic year. Professor Katrib also teaches Physical Diagnosis for the Emergency Medical Care Bachelor’s degree program as well as for the Radiology Assistant program. 

Physician Assistant Staff

Administrative Secretary – Molly Kurth
Molly Kurth joined the PA Department in 2008. She provides overall administrative support to the faculty and staff and is an integral part of the application process with her extensive knowledge of CASPA. 

Administrative Secretary – Kena Shaddox
Kena Shaddox joined the PA Department in 2010 and has been employed with the University since 1997. She provides overall administrative support to the faculty and staff. Prior to joining the University, Kena worked as a research assistant for 7 years on a double blind study for Colgate Toothpaste that culminated in the introduction of a new product, Colgate Total Toothpaste.

To contact us with questions:
Email pa@llu.edu