USM Physician Assistant Honored by University of Florida

Mon, 04/17/2023 - 09:59am | By: Van Arnold

A passion for helping others as a healthcare professional has enabled Stephen English to flourish as a physician assistant at The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Moffitt Health Center.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed by his alma mater – the University of Florida (UF), which recently honored English as a 2023 #40GatorsUnder40 selection. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., English earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 2007 at the University of Florida.

English worked in inner-city ministry in Baton Rouge, La., (Desire Street Ministries) for three years after finishing his undergraduate degree. He then moved to Clinton, Miss., to attend Mississippi College where he earned his Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies in 2013. He joined the staff at Moffitt Health Center in 2014.

Since 2006, the University of Florida has honored Outstanding Young Alumni whose achievements positively impact The Gator Nation®. 40 Gators Under 40 continues the tradition of honoring Gators who are going greater in their communities and professions. English described the recognition by his alma mater as humbling.

“I know there are a ton of alumni from the University of Florida and many of those are under the age of 40,” he said. “The fact that I was selected as one of 40 from this demographic is somewhat overwhelming. Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I am an avid fan of my alma mater, so to be honored by them is definitely exciting for me.”

A former walk-on football player at the University of Florida (2003), English took an active role in campus organizations during his time in Gainesville, which included serving on the leadership team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life. The dye was practically cast for him to attend UF from the time he could walk.

“I chose the University of Florida for a few reasons,” he said. “First, my father went to school there, and I grew up wearing orange and blue and traveling to ‘The Swamp’ to watch the Gators play football games on Saturdays in the fall. My passion for the university grew through watching the successes of Steve Spurrier’s teams as a child. As I got older and began to look at schools that I might possibly attend, it was hard to turn down the incredible academic opportunities that the University of Florida afforded me as one of the top public institutions in the nation.”

As a physician assistant, English works interdependently with physicians at Moffitt Health Center to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care in virtually all medical specialties and settings. Physician assistants take patient histories, perform physical examinations, order laboratory and diagnostic studies, prescribe medications, and develop patient treatment plans.

Dr. Melissa Roberts, Executive Director, Student Health Services, Moffitt Health Center, emphasized that English is a deserving member of the latest 40 Gators Under 40 club.

“Stephen English has been on staff at Moffitt Health Center for nine years and has been pivotal in providing excellent healthcare for the University community,” said Roberts. “I am so proud of him for being selected for the University of Florida’s “40 Under 40” program as this is a testament to his leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the field of medicine.”

English says his time at Moffitt Health Center has provided an invaluable training ground for his career in patient care.

“My experience at Moffitt Health Center has been wonderful,” he said. “I have learned a lot over the years, and I have certainly advanced my medical knowledge through the numerous patients and interesting things that I have seen. Ultimately, this profession is all about how you treat people. I try to do my best to really love my patients well and to do my best to put myself ‘in their shoes’ and try to feel what they are feeling.”

In addition to his duties at Moffitt Health Center, English also serves as President of the Board of Directors of The Mississippi Academy of Physician Assistants - a non-profit specialty organization affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) that consists of PAs working in Mississippi and surrounding states.  

English and his wife, Lauren, currently reside in Hattiesburg, Miss. They have two children – Stevie (5) and Danny (3).