College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Mercer University

Academics >> PA Program >> Faculty

	Bradford W. Schwarz, M.S., PA-C Chair and Clinical Associate Professor of Health Professions and Director of the Physician Assistant Program
Professor Schwarz’s primary area of medical specialty is in the field of cardiology. He has worked in Interventional Cardiology and Pacing/Electrophysiology and has authored articles on atrial fibrillation, mitral valve prolapse, heart failure, and dyslipidemia. His specific interests include medical ethics, battlefield trauma, cardiac electrophysiology, ECG rhythm analysis, 12-lead ECG interpretation, advanced cardiac life support, “mind-body” therapies, and alternative treatments. Professor Schwarz has served in the Armed Forces for over 33 years and provided healthcare throughout the globe. Most recently, Lt. Col. Schwarz served in Iraq as an emergency room PA.

	Philip Brachman, MD, F.A.C.P. Clinical Professor and Medical Director
Dr. Brachman received his medical education and training from Emory University School of Medicine, where, after receiving his M.D. degree, he completed his internship and residency training in Internal Medicine and his fellowship training in Infectious Diseases. Dr. Brachman is Board-Certified in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP). He is certified as an HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine. Dr. Brachman is the current president of the medical staff at Piedmont Hospital through December 2010. Previously he has served as the Chairman of the Department of Medicine, and as Secretary/Treasurer of the medical staff. Dr. Brachman actively pursues clinical research in both Infectious Diseases and HIV. He remains active with the Pharm. D. training program at Mercer University and serves a preceptor for various training programs associated with the Emory University School of Medicine.

	Patricia Kelly, MMSc, PA-C Clinical Assistant Professor and Associate Director
Professor Kelly’s primary area of interest is in Internal Medicine and Sports Medicine. Prior to becoming a physician assistant, she worked in sports medicine at the university level for 10 years where she was also involved in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine education. She has also worked with Olympic and paralympic sports teams internationally. Professor Kelly has a Master’s degree in Education from Northern Illinois University, a Master’s in Physiology from Ball State University and a Master’s of Medical Science from Emory University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Educational Leadership in Higher Education at Mercer University. She is originally from the Midwest but fell in love with Atlanta and decided to remain in the Atlanta area to practice as a PA. Her practice interests involve hypertension, diabetes and sports medicine. Professor Kelly enjoys mountain biking, gardening, traveling and walking with her dog.

	Kim Miechiels, MMSc, PA-C Clinical Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator
Professor Miechiels' area of expertise is ortho/neuro rehabilitation of both the adult and pediatric population. She is passionate about traumatic brain injuries and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy patients. Professor Miechiels earned her Masters of Medical Science degree from Emory University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, entertaining, cooking and yoga.

	Sally Pigott, MPAS, PA-C Clinical Coordinator
Originally from South Africa, Professor Pigott has been living in Atlanta for the past ten years. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Chatham College, also in Pittsburgh. Prior to becoming a faculty member at Mercer she was in clinical practice for twelve years, ten of which were in emergency medicine and the remainder in inpatient cardiology/critical care. She did some teaching and precepting for Emory PA students which whet her appetite for full time academia and is thrilled to now be a part of Mercer University’s PA Program. In her spare time she enjoys writing, reading, painting, cooking, wine tasting, playing tennis, and spending time in the fresh air. She also values quality time with friends and family.

	Jill Mattingly, MMSc, PA-C Clinical Assistant Professor
Prior to receiving her Masters of Medical Science at Emory University Physician Assistant Program, Professor Mattingly taught high school Anatomy & Physiology and Biology for ten years in Florida and Georgia. She also served as an EMT-I in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. After graduation she practiced Internal Medicine for six years with an interest in Integrated and Alternative medicine. Professor Mattingly began to practice Addiction Medicine in 2005 and eventually became the Director of a private drug and alcohol treatment facility in Norcross, Georgia. She created and hosted a call-in radio program on addiction issues for two years on WGKA 920AM in Atlanta. Originally from Kentucky she spent time in Colorado where she received her BA in Biology from Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison, Colorado. Her interests cover a myriad of activities including trail running, mountain biking, hiking, as well as, oil painting, guitar/piano, and musical theatre.

	Angela Dunaway, PharmD, PA-C, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Dunaway’s primary area of interest is in family medicine and urgent care. Prior to completing the Physician Assistant program at the Medical College of Georgia, she completed the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the University of Georgia. She has worked as a physician assistant in a multidisciplinary practice including family medicine, urgent care, and occupational medicine. Dr. Dunaway is from northwest Georgia.

	Trish Mullins, MD, FAAP Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Mullins received her medical doctorate degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and completed her residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Mullins is Board-Certified in Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is currently on the attending staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Prior to coming to Atlanta, Dr. Mullins had practiced primary care pediatrics with a large practice north of Boston. She also worked in college admissions and university administration for several years before attending medical school. In her spare time, Dr. Mullins enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.

	Nadja Vawryk Button, MHS, PA-C Clinical Assistant Professor
In 2001 Professor Button received her Master’s Degree from the Lock Haven University Physician Assistant Program. She also holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology from Towson University. After graduation from the PA program, Nadja spent seven years as a Family Practice PA in Northwest Kansas. There, she was a National Health Services tuition repayment recipient who worked in a Rural Health Clinic and Critical Access Hospital seeing clinic, inpatient, emergency department and long term care facility patients. She implemented and managed the clinic’s Electronic Medical Records program. Now Nadja practices Emergency Medicine in a Critical Access Hospital in Southwest Georgia and continues to serve as a N.H.S.C. Ambassador. Prior to becoming a PA she was involved in Emergency Medical Services for 25 years, as a Paramedic, and having been involved in EMS education and administration.