Laura Critchfield

Laura Critchfield, PA-C serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine, specializing in advanced practice provider (APP) transition and clinical education.

Education:

• MS in Physician Assistant Studies, University of Pittsburgh (2011)
• BS in Biology, Elizabethtown College (2009)

Research Focus: Critchfield develops and studies onboarding programs for APPs transitioning from graduate education to clinical practice, examining impacts on provider vitality and retention in primary care. Her work spans advanced practice provider mentorship, preventative care delivery, and educational program design for diverse healthcare learners.

Awards:

• APP Clinical Excellence Award (2022)
• Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2022, 2023)
• Exceptional Role Model - Student Award (2021)
• Exceptional Teacher Award - Student Award (2020)

Clinical & Teaching Activities: Critchfield provides full-scope family medicine care with emphasis on preventative services while instructing pediatrics for Penn State's PA Program. She mentors physician assistant students and serves as a clinical preceptor for PA, NP, and medical students, developing monthly educational sessions on chronic condition management and APP utilization for faculty and residents.