William Paynter

William Paynter serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Widener University within the Physician Assistant Studies program. A veteran of 20 years of active military service with deployments across Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa, he specialized in Aviation Medicine, Tropical Diseases, Disaster Preparedness, and Mass Casualty Management. Following his military career, he dedicated 22 years to emergency medicine in one of the East Coast's largest emergency departments, where he also directed physician assistant training programs and maintained academic appointments at Thomas Jefferson University and Drexel University's Hahnemann PA Program.

His educational background includes:

• Military Tropical Medicine Fellowship, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (1997)
• Master of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska (1997)
• US Army Rotary Wing Flight Surgeon Training Program, US Army Aviation Center, Alabama (1996)
• BS, University of Oklahoma (1992)
• US Army Physician Assistant Training Program, US Army Medical Department, Texas (1992)

Professor Paynter's research portfolio emphasizes practical clinical challenges in global and emergency settings. Key areas include Tropical and Infectious Diseases (with focus on malaria and travel medicine), Disaster Preparedness & Mass Casualty Management, Immigrant Medicine, and Veterans Affairs healthcare. This work stems from his extensive field experience in diverse military and civilian emergency contexts, aiming to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations through evidence-based practice.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on translating clinical knowledge into accessible practice guidelines. From editorial leadership in the Antibiotic Manual (2007-2017) to the Urgent Care Manual (2021), his work centers on antibiotic stewardship, tropical disease management, and emergency pediatrics. The recurring theme across editions demonstrates his enduring commitment to optimizing antimicrobial use and clinical protocols in acute care settings.

His contributions have been recognized with significant professional honors:

• Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, PA Program, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (2000)

Professor Paynter has shaped physician assistant education through multiple leadership roles. As Director of the Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant Intern Training Program, he developed curricula for NCCPA-certified PAs entering emergency medicine. His current focus at Widener centers on training physician assistants with core values of service above self, lifelong learning, and community engagement. Although specific research grants aren't detailed, his editorial contributions to national clinical manuals represent significant professional service influencing emergency care standards across the United States.

While his career has centered on clinical practice and education rather than laboratory research, Professor Paynter's work with the Emergency Medicine Residents Association has effectively created knowledge-sharing networks among practitioners, translating field experience into standardized clinical guidance for emergency departments nationwide.