Program Director, Associate Professor

Gerald Weniger completed his undergraduate degree at Lock Haven University, majoring in Health Sciences-Athletic Training. He then earned a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training from the University of Virginia (UVA), while maintaining a graduate assistantship with the UVA football program. After working as an athletic trainer at the collegiate level, Mr. Weniger earned a second Master’s degree, this time in Physician Assistant Studies from James Madison University (JMU).

Mr. Weniger has over 10-years of experience as a physician assistant. He has worked in Orthopedic Surgery, Student Health, and Emergency Medicine. For two years he served as the co-chair of the PA/NP Advisory Council at Sentara RMH Medical Center. He continues to practice Emergency Medicine part-time at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Currently, Mr. Weniger is an associate professor at James Madison University in the Department of Health Professions and is in his 7th year as the Director of the Physician Assistant Program. He has secured over $886,000 in grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish a partnership between the PA Program and the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic. He has also secured an additional $70,000 from HRSA related to education and treatment of opioid use disorders. In 2017 Mr. Weniger was awarded the “Outstanding Faculty Award for Research & Scholarship” by the Office of Sponsored Programs at JMU. He also serves as a case reviewer and expert witness for medico-legal cases and has regularly presented at national conferences including AAPA, PAEA, and NATA.

Mr. Weniger is working towards his Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership – currently in the dissertation phase. In his spare time, he enjoys serving his local church, spending time with his wife and three children, and watching college football and basketball.