Lipscomb PA student and faculty win top awards in state

Lipscomb’s three-year old PA program produced the Student and Preceptor of the Year for Tennessee

Janel Shoun-Smith | 615.966.7078 | 10/01/2020

Tim Schorkopf, a third-year PA student from Franklin, Tennessee, was honored this fall as the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) Student of the Year. Dr. Terri Jerkins, assistant professor and medical director for the program, was named the TAPA Preceptor of the Year.

TAPA is the only statewide association representing the educational and professional interests of Tennessee’s PAs. The annual TAPA awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to care for patients, represent the profession and train future PAs.

Schorkopf, who was in Lipscomb’s inaugural PA cohort, was nominated for his professional work in health care prior to entering the Lipscomb program, his volunteer work, advocacy efforts on behalf of PAs and for going above and beyond in March 2020 when he found himself treating patients in Cookeville, Tennessee, after tornadoes struck Cookeville and Nashville causing hundreds of injuries, millions of dollars’ worth of damage to structures and 25 deaths.

Jerkins was nominated for her professional work in endocrinology, volunteer work, commitment to promoting the hiring of PAs and for taking on an extra workload this past spring when the pandemic struck to help Lipscomb’s first PA students graduate on time in December.
 

After graduating from Auburn University with his pre-med bachelor’s degree, Schorkopf took on several science and health care-related jobs in Nashville to ensure that his intended path to go medical school was the right one.

A research position at Vanderbilt University led to his being published in an academic journal for research work advancing the early detection of lung cancer. He then worked at Sarah Cannon Research Institute as the study coordinator and clinical trials specialist from 2017 to his enrollment at Lipscomb.

“The more I worked (at Sarah Cannon), the more I got involved personally with patients. Then I caught the bug to get more involved in patient care,” he said.

As Sarah Cannon’s specialty is research, Schokopf gained experience personally interacting with patients with more complex health problems, but also with more enthusiasm and investment in their treatments, something he believes helped him once he entered the PA program. His Vanderbilt research experience that gave him a working knowledge of evidence-based medicine has also been helpful in his studies, he said.

In March, Schorkopf was on his second rotation in his PA program when he walked into the Cookeville Regional Medical center emergency room to find it full of patients standing or sitting almost should-to-shoulder.

Health care providers at Cookeville Regional reached out to the Lipscomb’s Director of Clinical Education Jenny Robinson to express how grateful they were to have Schorkopf’s help that morning with hundreds of patients to treat.

“What Tim experienced was truly unfathomable and probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. Tim didn’t only see, but functioned calmly and efficiently within what his preceptor described as a ‘war zone,’” said Robinson. “This experience has equipped him well to be able to adapt within situations in order to provide the best care for his patients.”

Throughout his college career, Schorkopf has volunteered with the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and as a mentor for elementary students. During his studies at Lipscomb, he has participated in the state’s PA Day on the Hill and served as student mentor and interview volunteer for potential incoming PA students.

Jerkins is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology. She is a fellow of the American College of Endocrinology and has been published multiple times in various journals.

Jerkins is the owner of Midstate Endocrine Associates and continues to conduct research in her medical office.

“She precepts for multiple programs and tells her patients and the general public that her PA students are of the highest quality and are most prepared to rotate through her difficult office,” Kelly Smart, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, wrote in her nomination of Jerkins. “She strongly advocates for PA hiring and privileges at her own facility and at Williamson Medical Center.”

The mission of TAPA is to promote accessible, quality health care, and to advance the education, profession and practice of physician assistants in Tennessee.