Headshot of Cindy Bennett

Cindy Bennett

Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies

Department: Physician Assistant Studies - Elon

Office and address: Gerald L. Francis Center, Office 219 2087 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

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 medical school at The University of North Carolina College of Medicine in 1993 and her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Florida in 1997, then worked as a private practice obstetrician-gynecologist from 1997- 2005. As one of the founding faculty for Elon's Physician Assistant program, Dr. Bennett's contributions to the didactic curriculum include development of the Human Anatomy, Medical Physiology, Pathophysiology I and II, and Reproductive Medicine/ Sexual Health courses. She subsequently created Elon PA's point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) program which includes several didactic year workshops and a year-round Clinical Year POCUS program, through which students develop hands-on POCUS training that is applicable to multiple medical specialties. In 2024, Dr. Bennett earned certification as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, further strengthening her credentials as a PA ultrasound educator. Dr. Bennett's hands-on, practical teaching style brings dynamism, experiential learning, 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

See "Service"

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

GRANTS/ AWARDS

  • Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Grant, Elon University, May 2021: $2,000 for “Ultrasound: From Critical Thinking to Clinical Practice.”
  • Recipient, Faculty Research and Development Grant, Elon University, November 2019: $6,750.00 to for work on "Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure on Pulmonary and Vascular Function in Anatomy Lab Students and Instructors."
  • Recipient, Academic Technology and Computing Committee Grant, March 2019: $1,999 for “Using Ultrasound to Teach Anatomy and Clinical Skills to PA Students.”
  • Recipient, Elon Faculty Research and Development Grant (funding), Fall 2017: $1440 for “The Growth Of Cultural Competency in Physician Assistant Students: Does Volunteering at a Free Health Clinic Matter?"
  • Recipient, Center for Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) Travel Grant: $500 for “Point of Care Ultrasound - One-Day Intensive Conference”, Fall 2017 for January 2018 travel.
  • Co-Recipient, Fund for Excellence in the Arts and Sciences grant: $3,500 for  “Burlington Science Expo”, 2014
  • Co-Recipient, Academic Technology and Computing Committee Grant: $1,220 for “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: $1275 for “Bring Me to Life” (bringing a nationally-known body painting artist to Elon University), Fall 2013.

 UNC School of Medicine Foreign Fellowship Award, 1990

 National Institutes of Health Research Grant, 1990

Publications

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

  • Stade L, Selzer R, Bennett C, Lauck H, and O’Connor D, “Transforming Students into Healthcare Professionals: A Literature Review Exploring the Interrelationships Between Work-Integrated Learning, Belongingness, and Health Professions Students.” The Advisor, 43:3, Sep 2023, pp. 1-7.
  • Stute N, Stickford J, Augenreigh M, Kimball K, Cope J, Bennett C, Grosicki G, and Ratchford S, “Arterial stiffness and carotid distensibility following acute formaldehyde exposure in female adults.” Toxicology and Industrial Health 2021 Sep vol 37:9, pp 535-546.
  • Augenreich M, Stute N, Koontz L, Cope J, Bennett C, Stickford J, and Ratchford S, "Vascular Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress Caused by Acute Formaldehyde Exposure in Female Adults"; American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 2020 Dec 1;319(6):H1369-H1379.doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00605.2020. Epub 2020 Oct 16
  • Cope J. M., Bennett, C, Balilonis, G, and Person, D, (online 2020, print 2021), “Regarding the Dead: A Model for Anatomic Gifting at a Non-Medical School.” Anatomical Sciences Educator 2021 Jan;14(1):79-88.  doi: 10.1002/ase.1985. Epub 2020 Jun 29
  • 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?” Anatomical Sciences Educator; doi:10.1002/ase.1862
  • Bennett, Cynthia, (2018). “Anatomic Body Painting as a Teaching Tool in Physician Assistant Education.” Medical Science Educator; Bennett, C.C. Med.Sci.Educ. (2018) 28: 525. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-018-0581-y
  • 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, C (2014), “Anatomical Body Painting: Where Visual Art Meets Science.”  Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE) 25(4), 2014, pp. 52-54.
  • 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

PEER REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS:

Peer-Reviewed Podium Presentations:

  • Panel Presentation: “Sneaking it in: Innovative Approaches for Incorporating Ultrasound into PA Curricula” (with co-presenters Daniel Sturm, PA-C, Megan Biagi PA-C, and Justin Gambini, DMSc, PA-C). 2023 Physician Assistant Educators Association Annual Education Forum, New Orleans, LA, October 11-14, 2023.
  • Panel Presentation: “The Road to Establishing a Clinical Year POCUS Program” (Panel lead. Other panelists Jeremy Amayo PA-C, Janelle Bludorn PA-C, W. Joseph Bowman, DSc, PA-C, Kris Maday, PA-C, DFAAPA. 2022 Physician Assistant Educators Association Annual Education Forum, San Diego, CA,  October 12-15, 2022.
  • Research Presentation: “Cultivating Empathy in the Anatomy Lab through Work with Anatomical Donors.” 2019 Physician Assistant Educators Association Annual Education Forum, Washington DC, October 10-13, 2019.
  • Panel Presentation: “It Takes a Village: Creating Cultural Competence in Transgender Health Care Curricula” (with co-authors Nita Skillman, MBA/ SP Coordinator and Hillary McDonald, PA-C). 2019 Physician Assistant Educators Association Annual Education Forum, Washington DC, October 10-13, 2019.
  • Presentation: “Illustrative Anatomy (Anatomical Body Painting + Ultrasound) as a Teaching Tool in Anatomy Education.” World Congress on Ultrasound in Medical Education, University of California at Irvine, September 12-15, 2019.
  • Educational Lecture Presentation: “Teaching Anatomy Using Anatomic Body Painting.”  12th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Elon University, August 2015.
  • Research 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.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Workshops:

  • Workshop: “Illustrative Anatomy: Teaching Dynamic Anatomy Using Anatomical Body Painting and Ultrasound.”  2019 Physician Assistant Educators Association Annual Education Forum, Washington DC, October 10-13, 2019. This 1.25 hour workshop allowed participants to practice anatomical body painting and ultrasound during the session.
  • Workshop: "Teaching Anatomy Using Ultrasound and Anatomic Body Painting".  Elon University Fifteenth Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, Elon NC, August 16, 2018.  This 1.25 hour workshop allowed participants to practice anatomical body painting during the session.
  • Workshop: "Teaching Anatomy Using Anatomic Body Painting."   Twenty Second IAMSE Conference on Medical Science Education, Las Vegas, NV, June 9-12 2018. This 1.5 hour workshop allowed participants to practice anatomical body painting during the session.

Peer-Reviewed Poster Presentations:

  • Poster Presentation: “Claiming the dead: Who has legal access to the unclaimed?” (with Cope J, Balilionis G, Zimmerman M, Magill J, and Person D; in-person presentation by Cope J) Anatomy Connected Annual Meeting, Toronto, CA, March 22-25, 2024.
  • Poster Presentation: “Anatomical Gift Programs Continue to Meet Donor Demands of Anatomy Educators During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Here’s How.” (with Cope J, Balilionis G and Person D). American Association for Anatomy/ Experimental Biology 2022 Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, April 1-4, 2022.
  • 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. 2019 North Carolina Association of Physician Assistants 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.  2019 North Carolina Association of Physician Assistants Winter Conference, Durham NC, Feb 2019.
  • Poster Presentation: "An Ethically Sustainable Model for Anatomic Gifting at a Non-Medical School." PAEA Education Forum 2018, Anaheim CA, October 24-27 2018.
  • Poster Presentation: “LGBT Health Education in Physician Assistant Curricula.” Authors: Vornheder K and Bennett CC.  2018 North Carolina Association of Physician Assistants Winter Conference, Durham NC, February 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.
  • 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.

INVITED ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS/ INTERVIEWS/ TEACHING:

  • Invited Judge, AAPA National iScan event, 2022, 2023, 2025
  • Invited Judge, NCScan event, 2024
  • Invited interview,
  • Invited Teaching: Point of Care Ultrasound. University of Maryland at Baltimore, March 2023.
  • Invited Presentation/ Teaching: Learning Anatomy through Body Painting.  University of North Carolina School of the Arts Anatomy and Physiology, March 2019.
  • Invited Presentation/ Teaching: Learning Anatomy through Body Painting.  City of Medicine Academy Pre-Health-Professions Biology, November 2018.
  • 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

OTHER PRESENTATIONS/ INTERVIEWS/ EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH:

  • Address to the Graduates, Elon University Class of 2023 Graduation brunch, 2023
  • Interview and Article: NO HOCUS POCUS: How a small tool used by OB-GYNs can hold the key for the future of clinical care (written by Kelsey Armstrong about my work in POOCUS at Elon PA; published in The Magazine of Elon, Fall 2023)
  • Presentation: “Hocus Pocus: the Magic of Point-of-Care Ultrasound” (lecture and demonstration). Tectonic Plates: Alamance County’s Science Café, Elon NC, September 2023.
  • Presentation: “Elon University’s Anatomical Gift Program.” Tectonic Plates: Alamance County’s Science Café, Elon NC, April 2023.
  • Address to the Graduates, Elon University Class of 2021-December Graduation brunch, 2021
  • Interview and Article as Featured Faculty, “Lifelong Connections”, The Magazine of Elon, Spring 2021.
  • Opening Remarks, Elon University Anatomical Gift Program Donor Memorial Service, Elon University, 2019- 2023
  • Demo and Participation Booth, “How to Learn Anatomy with Anatomical Body Painting”, Active City Streets, Downtown Burlington NC, May 2019 (with First Year PA Students)
  • Presentation: Illustrative Anatomy: Teaching Anatomy using Anatomical Body Painting and Ultrasound.  Health Professions Advisors of North Carolina (HPANC) annual meeting, Elon University, March 2019
  • Presentation: “The Anatomical 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: Alamance County’s Science Café,, November 13 2018.
  • Opening Remarks, Elon University Anatomical Gift Program Donor Memorial Service, Elon University, July 2018
  • Demo and Participation Booth, “How to Learn Anatomy with Anatomical Body Painting”, Burlington Block Party, Downtown Burlington NC, May 2018 (with First Year PA Students)
  • News Report:  “A Look into Elon’s Anatomical Gift Program.”  The Buckley Report, Fox 8 News, February 2018.  Link:  https://myfox8.com/2018/02/13/a-look-at-elons-anatomical-gift-program/
  • Presentation: “The Anatomical Gift Program.”  Presentation for LIFE@Elon attendees, November 2017.
  • 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.
  • Demo and Participation Booth, “How to Learn Anatomy with Anatomical Body Painting”, Active City Streets, Downtown Burlington NC, May 2015 (with First Year Elon PA Students)
  • Demonstration, “Anatomical Body Painting” (With First Year Elon PA Students). Alamance County Science Expo and Maker Faire, March 2014.

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

  • PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

Society For Point Of Care Ultrasound  ?A constituent organization of the American Academy Of Physician Assistants, is committed to promoting the use of ultrasound through education, governance, collaboration, and advocacy, for all providers who utilize ultrasound.

  • Director-at-Large, 2025-2027
  • President, Jan- June 2023
  • President-Elect, 2022
  • Member, Board of Directors, 2021

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

  • POCUS Practice Parameters Committee                                    2025- present
  • This committee, made up of practitioners , educators and researchers, is both revising and updating previously published POCUS guidelines and creating de novo guidelines for POCUS applications not yet

  • COMMUNITY:

    The Open Door Clinic Of Alamance County

    Board of Directors                                                                                 2019-2022

    ELON UNIVERSITY                 

  • Member, Academic Council                                                                         2021- 2024
    • Member, Committee on Committees                                               2021-2024
  • Interim Member, Graduate Council                                                              2020 Aug-Nov
  • Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Advisory Board                               2018- 2021
  • Academic Technology and Computing Committee (ATACC)                           2015-2018
  • Chair, Academic Technology and Computing Committee (ATACC)                  2016-2017
  • Anatomical Gift Program Advisory Board                                                      2016-present
  • Elon Learning Spaces Work Group                                                                2015-2016, 2017-2018
  • Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee  2014-2016
  • Health Professions Advisory Committee                                                       2013-2014

  • ELON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

  • Member, Dept of Physical Therapy Search Committee                                  Fall 2024
  • Co-Chair, Elon SHS Faculty/Staff DEI Committee                                           2023-present
  • Member, Elon SHS Curriculum Committee                                                   2013-2015, 2024- present
  • Founding Co-advisor, Elon SHS Student Diversity Committee                        2019-present
  • Co-Creator, Dean’s Student Ambassador Program                                        2019- 2020
  • Founding member, SHS Interprofessional Education Committee                   2017-present
  • Member, SHS Dean’s Advisory Council                                                         2017
  • Member, SHS Anatomic Gift Program Committee                                         2016-present
  • Member, SHS Safety Committee                                                                  2013-2015

  •  

     

     

    ELON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

    • Founder and Faculty Advisor, Elon Physician Assistant Student Society (EPASS), 2013-2022

  • 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, held 2015-2020
  • 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

  • • Departmental Committee Service:

  • Chair and member, Physician Assistant Program Director Search Committee       2020
  • Chair and member, Faculty Search Committee                                                   2019
  • Founding Chair/ Member, Student and Alumni Associations Committee             2017-2020
  • Chair, Faculty Search Committee                                                                       2015
  • Captain, Faculty and Staff Giving                                                                        2013-2016
  • Member (and rising Chair), Academic and Professional Progress Committee        2012-present
  • Member, Academic Curriculum Committee                                                        2012-present
  • Member, Admissions Committee                                                                       2012-present

  • DEPARTMENTAL / SCHOOL OUTREACH

  • Dean’s presentation to Elon Pre-Health Students                                                2018, 2019, 2021
  • Interviewer, Elon University Accelerated Pathways Program                               2020-2024
  • Anatomy Outreach Session for Undergraduate Biology Majors                            2019
  • Information Fair, Elon University Fall Orientation                                                2018
  • Anatomy Outreach for the NC Association of Pelvic Physical Therapists               2015-2019 annual
  • Elon PA Informational Session for Lincoln Pre-Health Society (annually)               2014-2018 annual
  • Anatomy outreach session, STREAM students, Blessed Sacrament School                        2014
  • Anatomy outreach session, IB students, Wake County Schools                            2014
  • Anatomy Outreach for First Responders                                                             2013-2015 annual
  • Elon PA Informational Session for Wake Forest University Pre-PA Society            2014
  • Please see ‘Research’ section for more outreach involving scholarly work

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, Elon University School of Health Sciences Excellence in Teaching/Mentoring Award, 2025

Seminar Participant, Center for Engaged Learning Research Seminar, 2022-2024

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