Cindy Bennett
Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies
Department: Physician Assistant Studies - Elon
Email: cbennett14@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-6856
Brief Biography
Dr. Bennett joined the faculty of Elon University's Department of Physician Assistant Studies in September 2012, bringing a unique mixture of didactic and clinical experience. Her didactic experience includes teaching in middle and high school, as well as teaching Physician Assistant students and medical students/residents at The University of Florida, and serving as Adjunct Faculty with Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Bennett completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Florida in 1997, then worked as a private practice obstetrician-gynecologist from 1997- 2005. She is the primary instructor for Human Anatomy, Medical Physiology, Pathophysiology and Reproductive Medicine/ Sexual Health during the didactic phase of Physician Assistant education at Elon University, and enjoys bringing dynamism and clinical relevance to preclinical education.
News & Notes
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Bachelor of Arts in Biology, May 1986
University of North Carolina School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine, May 1993
University of Florida College of Medicine Residency and Chief Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1993- 1997
Employment History
Science Teacher, 1986-1987, Randolph-Macon Military Academy, Front Royal, VA
Science Teacher, 1987-1988, Rumson Country Day School, Rumson, NJ
Cytotechnologist, 1998-1999, Genetics Associates of North Carolina (now Genecare), Chapel Hill, NC
Resident and Chief Resident, 1993-1997, University of Florida/Shands Teaching Hospital, Gainesville FL
General Practice Obstetrician-Gynecologist, 1997-2003, Courtview OB/GYN, Gastonia, NC
- Served as Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics in 2003 and as member of the Medical Executive Committee in 2002-2003.
General Practice Obstetrician-Gynecologist, 2003- 2005, Durham Women’s Clinic, Durham, NC
- affiliated with Duke University as an adjunct professor, and supervised/instructed OB/GYN residents from Duke University School of Medicine.
Writer/Editor, 2007- 2009, Challenger Corporation
Math/Science Teacher, 2009- 2012, The Elon School
Courses Taught
2015- Present
PAS 502, Medical Physiology
PAS 510, Anatomy I
PAS 512, Pathophysiology I
PAS 520, Anatomy II
PAS 522, Pathophysiology II
PAS 542, Reproductive Medicine and Sexual Health
2013-2014 Curriculum:
PAS 502, Medical Physiology
PAS 510- 542, Basic Science and Pathophysiology thread of each course
PAS 510- 542, Anatomy thread of each course
PAS 516, 522, 524, 536, 550 Course Director of each course
Leadership Positions
Research
Assessment of Anatomical Body Painting as a Tool in Physician Assistant Anatomy Education, 2014-2015
Use of a 3D Anatomy App in Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy Didactic Education
Use of a 3D Anatomy App in Physician Assistant Education during Clinical Preceptorship (in progress)
Correlation of pap smear diagnosis to histopathologic findings after LEEP procedure, 1994-1996
Patient Acceptance of Transvaginal Ultrasound, 1996-1997
Current Projects
Anatomical Body Painting as a tool in Anatomy Education
Teaching LGBTQ Healthcare Issues in PA Education
Illustrative Anatomy for Health Care Students
Teaching Anatomy using Ultrasound
Clinical year POCUS training for PA students
Grants Awarded
Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Travel Grant, 2018
Recipient, Elon Faculty Research and Development Grant (funding), "The Growth
Of Cultural Competency in Physician Assistant Students: Does Volunteering at a
Free Health Clinic Matter?" Fall 2017.
Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Travel Grant for Point of Care Ultrasound - One-Day Intensive Conference, Fall 2017
Co-Recipient, Fund for Excellence in the Arts and Sciences grant: “Burlington Science Expo”, 2014
Co-Recipient, ATACC Grant, “Effect of Anatomy Apps for Mobile Devices on Physical Therapy & Physician Assistant Student Exam Performance,” 2014
Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Grant, 2013
UNC School of Medicine Foreign Fellowship Award, 1990
National Institutes of Health Research Grant, 1990
Publications
Cope, J. M., Precht, M. C., Hannah, M. C. and Bennett, C. (2019), Naming the Dead: What information do Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Anatomy Faculty Share With Students? Anat Sci Educ. doi:10.1002/ase.1862
Bennett, Cynthia. (2018). Anatomic Body Painting as a Teaching Tool in Physician Assistant Education. Medical Science Educator. 28. 10.1007/s40670-018-058
Precht, M, Bennett C, and Cope J, (2017) “Quantifying Cadaver Use in Physician Assistant Anatomy Education”, Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE) 2017 28(4), pp. 182-188.
Bennett, Cynthia (2014), “Anatomical Body Painting: Where Visual Art Meets Science.” Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE) 25(4), 2014, pp. 52-54.
Bennett, Cynthia (2007), Genetics in OBGYN. Challenger Corporation CME. *also listed as co-author and editor of numerous publications at Challenger Corporation, 2007-2008.
Bennett, Cynthia (2007), Multiple Gestation. Challenger Corporation CME.
Bennett, C. and Richards, D. (2000), “Patient Acceptance of Endovaginal Ultrasound.” Ultrasound in OB/GYN, vol. 15, #1, January 2000, pp 52-55.
Bennett, C. C. (1996) “The Aminoglycosides.” Primary Care Update for OB/GYNs, vol. 3, #6, Nov/Dec 1996, pp. 186- 191.
Cowan, C.M., (1991) “Utilization of Health Services by the Bedouin Population of Rahat.” Working Papers in International Health, July 1991, pp 13-20.
Presentations
Invited Presentation/ Workshops: Learning Anatomy through Body Painting. University of North Carolina School of the Arts, March 2019.
Poster Presentation: “Cultivating Empathy in the Anatomy Lab: A Pilot Study Observing the Trends in Emotional Expressions During the Human Anatomical Dissection Course Among First Year Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy Students.” With Michael Whitehurst, PA-S. NCAPA Winter Conference, Durham NC, Feb 2019.
Poster Presentation: “Training Students to Practice Transgender Medicine: The Application of Flow Theory and Standardized Patients in Medical Education.” With Hillary McDonald, PA-S. NCAPA Winter Conference, Durham NC, Feb 2019.
Invited Presentation/ Workshops: Learning Anatomy through Body Painting. City of Medicine Academy, November 2018.
Poster Presentation: "An Ethically Sustainable Model for Anatomic Gifting at a Non-Medical School." PAEA Education Forum 2018, Anaheim CA, October 24-27 2018.
Workshop: "Teaching Anatomy Using Ultrasound and Anatomic Body Painting". Elon University Fifteenth Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Elon NC, August 16, 2018.
Workshop: "Teaching Anatomy Using Anatomic Body Painting." Twenty Second IAMSE Conference on Medical Science Education, Las Vegas, NV, June 9-12 2018.
Poster Presentation: “LGBT Health Education in Physician Assistant Curricula.” Authors: Vornheder K and Bennett CC. 2018 NCAPA Winter Conference, Durham NC, February 2018.
Presentation: “The Anatomic Gift Program.” Presentation for LIFE@Elon attendees, January 2018.
Poster Presentation: “LGBT Health Education in Physician Assistant Curricula.”
Authors: Vornheder K and Bennett CC. 2017 Physician Assistant Education Association Education Forum, Denver, CO, October 2017.
Invited Interview: “Quantifying Cadaver Use in Physician Assistant Anatomy Education.” 2017 Physician Assistant Education Association Education Forum, Denver, CO, October 2017. Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE) website: http://journals.lww.com/jpae/pages/default.aspx
Poster Presentation: “Anatomic Body Painting as a Teaching Tool in Physician Assistant Education.” American Association of Anatomists 2016 Regional Meeting, New York, November 2016.
Poster Presentation: “Naming the Dead: What information do we get and what do we share with our students?” Authors: Cope JM, Precht M, Hannah MC, Bennett CC. American Association of Anatomists 2016 Regional Meeting, New York, November 2016.
Lecture Presentation: “Teaching Anatomy Using Anatomic Body Painting.” 12th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Elon University, August 2015.
Lecture Presentation: “Efficacy of Anatomic Body Painting in Physician Assistant Education.” 2014 Physician Assistant Education Association Education Forum, Philadelphia, October 2014.
Lecture Presentation: “Bring Me to Life: The Role of Fresh Tissue Dissection and Anatomic Body Painting in Anatomy Education.” 2013 Physician Assistant Education Association Education Forum, Memphis, October 2013.
Community
Presentations/
News:
Presentation: “The Anatomic Gift Program.” Presentation for LIFE@Elon attendees, November 2018.
Presentation: “The Elon University Anatomical Gift Program” (with Janet Cope, Gytis Balilonis, and Dianne Person). Tectonic Plates, November 13 2018.
News Report:&nbsft Program.” The Buckley Report, Fox 8 News. Link: https://myfox8.com/2018/02/13/a-look-at-elons-anatomical-gift-program/
Brief Presentation: “Teaching Anatomy Using Anatomic Body Painting.” Elon University School of Health Sciences Advisory Board Meeting, November 2017.
Lecture/ Demo Presentation: “Climbing Into Humans: a Hands-on Look at Anatomical Body Painting.” Lecture and Demonstration, Tectonic Plates: Alamance County’s Science Café, Elon NC, October 2015.
Professional Activities
Diplomate, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, issued 2000, renewed 2012
Physician Licensure, North Carolina Medical Board
Fellow, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, received 2000, renewal pending November 2012
Service Activities
- Faculty Advisor, Elon Physician Assistant Student Society (EPASS), 2013-present
- Founded this student organization with the Class of 2013
- Organization includes student representatives to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Challenge Bowl and Assembly of Representatives (AOR).
- Coordinate travel for several students yearly to the AAPA Annual Meeting
- Created liaison with the organization’s philanthropy, the Open Door Clinic of Alamance County (ODC)
- Creator and Faculty Race Director of the annual Great Cape Escape 5K/10K fundraiser, raising up to $25,000 per year for the Open Door Clinic
- Supervise student volunteerism at Open Door Clinic, averaging ~300 volunteer hours per year
- Supervise other community volunteerism, reaching a total of up to 650 volunteer hours per year
- Committee Service:
- DPAS Faculty Search Committee (Chair), 2019
- DPAS Academic Curriculum Committee, 2012-present
- DPAS Academic and Professional Progress Committee, 2012-present
- DPAS Admissions Committee, 2012-present
- DPAS Student and Alumni Associations Committee, 2017-present
- Founding Chair, 2017-present
- DPAS Faculty Search Committee (Chair), 2015
- SHS Interprofessional Education Committee, 2017-present
- SHS Anatomic Gift Program Committee, 2016-present
- SHS Safety Committee, 2013-2015
- Elon University Anatomic Gift Program Advisory Board, 2016-present
- Elon University Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Advisory Board, 2018- present
- Elon Academic Technology and Computing Committee (ATACC), 2015-2018
- Chair, 2016-2017
- Elon Learning Spaces Work Group, 2015-2016, 2017-2018
Faculty Coordinator, The Elon School’s Community Service Program, 2010-2012
Alamance County Service League, 2007-2009
Professional Development
PAEA Annual Education Forum, attended annually 2012-2018
NCAPA Winter Conference, 2018-2019
AAPA Annual Conference, 2013, 2019
POCUS 1-day Training Intensive, 2018
IAMSE Annual Conference, 2018-2019
AAA Regional Conference, 2016
AACA Regional Conference, 2016
Awards
GRANTS:
Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Travel Grant, 2018
Recipient, Elon Faculty Research and Development Grant (funding), "The Growth
Of Cultural Competency in Physician Assistant Students: Does Volunteering at a
Free Health Clinic Matter?" Fall 2017.
Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Travel Grant for Point of Care Ultrasound - One-Day Intensive Conference, Fall 2017
Co-Recipient, Fund for Excellence in the Arts and Sciences grant: “Burlington Science Expo”, 2014
Co-Recipient, ATACC Grant, “Effect of Anatomy Apps for Mobile Devices on Physical Therapy & Physician Assistant Student Exam Performance,” 2014
Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Grant, 2013
TEACHING AWARDS:
Golden Apple Teaching Award, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
WRITING AWARDS:
First place winner for Scientific Writing, Primary Care Update Writing Contest, 1996