2022 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
This award, the highest honor bestowed by the Physician Assistant Studies Alumni Association, is presented annually to one alumnus who has made major contributions to the medical profession through commitment of excellence in patient care, research, publications, education, community service and/or leadership roles.
About Dr. Richard (Rick) Muma
A 1987 graduate of the PAS program at UTMB, Dr. Richard (Rick) Muma has more than 30 years of experience as a professor, administrator and physician assistant in internal medicine and infectious diseases.
Prior to assuming his current role as the 15th president of Wichita State University (WSU), Dr. Muma served as the university's executive vice president and provost and the chief academic officer. In these roles he provided academic leadership for the university's priorities — including enrollment, applied learning, funded research, and regional economic development.
He was also active in reshaping health profession education at WSU and is credited with developing undergraduate degrees for paramedics and health science majors, a master's degree in PAS and reorganizing the Department of Public Health Services. While at Wichita State, he has also served as senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management and chair and professor in the departments of Public Health Sciences and Physician Assistant. Muma has also served as chair for Saint Louis University's Department of Physician Assistant Education and an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston’s Department of PA Studies.
He has published his research in notable journals and has edited four books, two on HIV infection and two others on patient education. Dr. Muma is a lifetime member of the Physician Assistant Studies Alumni Association and serves on the Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the UTMB Development Board.