Depending on the day you step into Professor Megan Biagi’s classroom, you might find students retrieving foreign bodies from Jell-O, scanning one another with ultrasound machines, or tackling real-time emergency simulations — all while feeling excited, challenged, and deeply supported. That rare mix of rigor and empathy is exactly what sets Biagi apart, and it’s why she has been named the 2025 recipient of the F. Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award, one of the 91·çÃùÄñ³ª’s highest teaching honors.
Biagi, a faculty member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and a core instructor in the Physician Assistant Studies Program at the School of Medicine, teaches Emergency Medicine and Technical Skills. She also serves as a student advisor. But, as evidenced by the multiple nominations from students and colleagues, Biagi’s impact reaches far beyond any course title.
"In all my years of schooling, I have never been more challenged, understood and supported than in Professor Biagi’s classroom."
“In all my years of schooling, I have never been more challenged, understood and supported than in Professor Biagi’s classroom,” wrote Jennifer Geddes, who serves as president of the PA Class of 2026. “Her ability to push students beyond their perceived limits while ensuring they feel heard, valued and capable is truly extraordinary.”
Expecting excellence, emulating empathy
Biagi is known for crafting a learning environment where excellence is the expectation — but never at the expense of student well-being. From her open-door policy to her attention to individualized support, she sets a tone that’s both empowering and inspiring. One student put it simply: “Professor Biagi goes above and beyond to ensure that students not only grasp the content but also develop the practical skills necessary for success in the field.”
"Megan is both the type of teacher I aspire to be, and the type of teacher students are lucky to have."
Colleagues agree. “Megan is both the type of teacher I aspire to be, and the type of teacher students are lucky to have,” a fellow faculty member wrote in a letter of support. “She is constantly evolving, responding to the demands of an ever-changing healthcare landscape and the diverse needs of our students by educating herself and staying current on the most up-to-date advances in both medicine and teaching methodologies.”
Indeed, Biagi has taught herself advanced skills like point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and built curriculum around them — then gone further by designing interprofessional learning opportunities. PA students she has trained now teach what they’ve learned to MD students and family medicine residents, fostering the kind of team-based education that mirrors real-world clinical care.
Spreading knowledge outside the classroom
Biagi’s work has gained national recognition. Each year, she coaches a PA student team in the I-Scan ultrasound competition at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) conference. She has also shared her innovations in simulation and ultrasound curriculum at national conferences for PA educators.
Biagi’s creativity doesn’t stop at the conference podium. She’s certified in simulation education and designs immersive, realistic experiences that challenge students to apply their learning in high-stakes clinical scenarios. She’s even visited simulation centers across Northern Nevada to better align educational opportunities across the region.
The F. Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate outstanding commitment to student learning and teaching excellence. For Biagi, that excellence is both deeply personal and far-reaching. As one student put it, “Through her mentorship, I have felt a renewed excitement in my education, as well as a deep confidence in my abilities.”
The University caught up with Biagi after a surprise classroom visit from Executive Vice President and Provost Jeffrey Thompson and School of Medicine dean Paul Hauptman to ask her more about her work.
Q: How has your teaching style evolved over the course of your career?
A: When I first began teaching, my priority was delivering accurate, high-yield content. Over time, though, my focus has shifted. I’ve come to see that real learning doesn’t come from memorizing bullet points — it comes from breaking down complex ideas, making meaningful connections and applying knowledge in real-world contexts. Now, I concentrate on creating environments that foster critical thinking, reflection and growth. I’ve integrated more active learning, simulation and informal teaching moments into my approach — spaces where students are challenged to problem-solve, think deeply and grow professionally. I still hold high expectations, but I’m much more intentional about helping students build confidence, resilience and curiosity along the way.
Q: What do you hope students take away from your classes—beyond the course content?
A: While I absolutely want students to leave with a strong foundation in medical knowledge, what I hope sticks with them most is the mindset that excellence is a daily choice. Medicine isn’t just about having the right answers, it’s about humility, adaptability and the commitment to lifelong learning. I want students to trust their training, seek feedback, acknowledge their limits, and feel empowered to keep growing. My ultimate goal is to help shape safe, competent and compassionate medical providers – individuals who care for their communities with integrity and confidence, not just because they passed an exam, but because they embraced the process of becoming excellent.
Q: What does the Tibbitts Award mean to you?
A: I’m honored to represent the medical school and to shine a light on the incredible work being done by the UNR School of Medicine PA Program. Since graduating our first cohort in 2020, we’ve earned national recognition. In 2024, our students placed third in the American Association of Physician Associates (AAPA) iScan ultrasound competition in Houston. In 2025, we were ranked 21st in U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best Physician Assistant Programs” in the country. I’m proud to be part of a team of exceptional leaders, faculty, and staff who are deeply committed not just to what we teach, but to how and why we teach.
This award also gives me the opportunity to spotlight the PA profession as a whole. PAs are often working behind the scenes delivering exceptional, high-quality care with little fanfare. The path to becoming a PA is rigorous: after earning a bachelor’s degree and gaining two years of hands-on clinical experience, students complete 26 months of full-time, graduate-level medical training. Many of our graduates go on to practice in rural and medically underserved communities, filling critical gaps in access to care. PAs are trained to provide comprehensive medical services, including diagnosing and treating illness, prescribing medications, and managing chronic conditions. I’m proud to train these future providers and to be part of a profession that makes such a meaningful, often underrecognized, impact on the healthcare system.
