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Joanne Rolls
( out of 148 reviews )

Joanne Rolls, MEHP, MPAS, PA-C

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Sugar House Health Center

Salt Lake City
801-581-2000
  • Joanne Rolls, MPAS, MEHP, PA-C, is a Certified Physician Assistant and a Professor (Clinical) at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences (PAES). She is a Family Medicine PA who serves University of Utah students and patients as a PA Educator and Family Medicine PA.

    Ms. Rolls has been with the University of Utah PA program since 2012. She is the Vice-Char of Education for the PAES Division and Director of Didactic Education for the PA Program. She is highly involved with teaching first-year PA students, primarily history taking and physical exam skills. She is an active faculty advisor and also precepts second-year PA students during their Family Medicine clinical rotations. She has authored book chapters in the 2016 edition of Procedures for the Primary Care Provider (Edmunds), and the 2021 Advanced Pharmacology for Prescribers (Springer Publishing). She has published in the Journal of Physician Assistant Education, Academic Medicine, BMC Medical Education, and JAAPA, and is a peer-reviewer for the Journal of Nurse Practitioners, Transgender Health, BMC Medical Education, MedEd Portal, JPAE, and LGBT Health. She has a background in emergency medicine, pre-hospital care, education, and wilderness medicine. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and the University of Utah Academy of Health Science Educators. She lectures regionally and nationally on wilderness medicine topics as well as LGBTQ+ healthcare issues. At a national level, Ms. Rolls serves the Physician Assistant Education Association as a facilitator for faculty skills development and as the Chair of the Cultural Humility in Assessment Exam Development Board.

    As a didactic educator, Ms. Rolls has a special interest in teaching reproductive and sexual health, quality improvement principles, laboratory medicine, excellent history taking, and physical exam skills. Her academic interests include promoting adult learning principles in graduate medical education and addressing diversity in healthcare and healthcare education. To advance her skills, she completed a Master's of Education for Health Professionals at Johns Hopkins University, in 2019.

    Ms. Rolls grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and was a competitive rower at Boston University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts. She spent many years in Colorado working in pre-hospital care and volunteering with a mountain search and rescue team prior to moving to Salt Lake City to pursue her PA training at the University of Utah PA program.

    She is currently not taking new patients

    Board Certification

    National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

    Patient Rating

    5.0 /5
    ( out of 148 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    June 27, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    I believe Joanne is passionate about her profession and deeply cares for her patients. I highly recommend her.

    June 16, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    Joanne is always a pleasure to see and talk with. She uses results from tests to determine appropriate treatment and follows up to ensure effects.

    June 07, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Rolls is an incredible provider than works with others in my health care team to ensure that I receive the highest level of care and that I understand what is happening.

    June 04, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    She's absolutely the best health provider I have ever had. I've worked in the healthcare profession nationally and have worked with top experts in the world, and Jo is the person I trust

    June 01, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    Great provider does a great job.

    May 14, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    Joanne was great, she listened to me attentively and asked questions to figure out what the best path forward would be for my care. She was kind and I really felt like she genuinely cared about me and my wellbeing. She didn't talk down to me at all (which I've had other providers do) and I would highly recommend her!

    May 13, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    Joanne always listens to my concerns and lets me voice my input into my health plan.

    May 01, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    Jo Rolls is an excellent provider. She listens well, treats me with a high level of care and respect and is never rushed. I highly recommend her as a primary care provider.

    April 14, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER

    Like I said previously, Jo is a literal saint. She is kind, thoughtful, caring, understanding, and is the best PCP that I have come across in 50 years

  • Joanne Rolls, MPAS, MEHP, PA-C, is a Certified Physician Assistant and a Professor (Clinical) at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences (PAES). She is a Family Medicine PA who serves University of Utah students and patients as a PA Educator and Family Medicine PA.

    Ms. Rolls has been with the University of Utah PA program since 2012. She is the Vice-Char of Education for the PAES Division and Director of Didactic Education for the PA Program. She is highly involved with teaching first-year PA students, primarily history taking and physical exam skills. She is an active faculty advisor and also precepts second-year PA students during their Family Medicine clinical rotations. She has authored book chapters in the 2016 edition of Procedures for the Primary Care Provider (Edmunds), and the 2021 Advanced Pharmacology for Prescribers (Springer Publishing). She has published in the Journal of Physician Assistant Education, Academic Medicine, BMC Medical Education, and JAAPA, and is a peer-reviewer for the Journal of Nurse Practitioners, Transgender Health, BMC Medical Education, MedEd Portal, JPAE, and LGBT Health. She has a background in emergency medicine, pre-hospital care, education, and wilderness medicine. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and the University of Utah Academy of Health Science Educators. She lectures regionally and nationally on wilderness medicine topics as well as LGBTQ+ healthcare issues. At a national level, Ms. Rolls serves the Physician Assistant Education Association as a facilitator for faculty skills development and as the Chair of the Cultural Humility in Assessment Exam Development Board.

    As a didactic educator, Ms. Rolls has a special interest in teaching reproductive and sexual health, quality improvement principles, laboratory medicine, excellent history taking, and physical exam skills. Her academic interests include promoting adult learning principles in graduate medical education and addressing diversity in healthcare and healthcare education. To advance her skills, she completed a Master's of Education for Health Professionals at Johns Hopkins University, in 2019.

    Ms. Rolls grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and was a competitive rower at Boston University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts. She spent many years in Colorado working in pre-hospital care and volunteering with a mountain search and rescue team prior to moving to Salt Lake City to pursue her PA training at the University of Utah PA program.

    She is currently not taking new patients

    Education history

    Graduate Training Master of Education for the Health Professional - Johns Hopkins University MEHP
    Graduate Training Master's of Physician Assistant Studies - University of Utah M.P.A.S.
    Undergraduate English Literature/History - Boston University B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Rolls J, Showstark M, Najmabadi S, Loder R, Barry C, Honda T (2025). Gender Minority Physician Assistant/Associate Applicants and Likelihood of Matriculation: A Retrospective Analysis. J Physician Assist Educ, 36(2), 113-119.
    2. Najmabadi S, Valentin V, Rolls J, Showstark M, Elrod L, Barry C, Broughton A, Bessette M, Honda T (2024). Non-native English-speaking applicants and the likelihood of physician assistant program matriculation. Med Educ Online, 29(1), 2312713. (Read full article)
    3. Jones Q, Blew K, Brown T, Rolls J (2024). Masculinizing Hormone Therapy and Associated Clinical Care . Physician Assist Clin, 9(3), 389-401.
    4. Rolls J, Brown T, Blew K, Jones Q (2024). Feminizing Hormone Therapy and Associated Clinical Care    . Physician Assist Clin, 9(3), 375-387.
    5. Jones Q, Batchelder H, Sanchez M, Rolls J (2024). An Analysis of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Curricula Inclusion: A National Study of Physician Assistant Programs. J Physician Assist Educ. (Read full article)
    6. Najmabadi S, Valentin V, Rolls J, Showstark M, Broughton A, Bessette M, Honda T (2024). Non-native English-speaking applicants and the likelihood of physician assistant program matriculation. Med Educ Online, 29(1).
    7. Broughton A, Landry A, Showstark M, Barry CL, Najmabadi S, Rolls J, Honda T (2024). Military Veteran Matriculation in US Physician Associate/Assistant Programs. J Physician Assist Educ. (Read full article)
    8. Baker J, Rolls J (2023). An update on expanding HIV preexposure prophylaxis. JAAPA, 36(2), 17-24. (Read full article)
    9. Showstark M, Bessette M, Barry CL, Najmabadi S, Rolls J, Hamilton C, Valentin VL, Quella A, Honda T (2022). PA applicant U.S. citizenship status and likelihood of program matriculation. BMC Med Educ, 22(1), 887. (Read full article)
    10. Rolls J, Showstark M, Jones Q, Bruessow D, Kluznik J (2022). Promising Practices in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Curriculum Inclusion. J Physician Assist Educ, 33(4), 346-351. (Read full article)
    11. Rolls J, Smith T, Keahey D, Lessard D (2021). Outcomes of HRSA-funded expansion of PA training grants 2011-2016. JAAPA, 34(12), 1. (Read full article)
    12. Rolls J, Lessard D, Smith T, Keahey D (2021). Outcomes of HRSA-Funded Expansion of Physician Assistant Training Grants 2011-2016. J Physician Assist Educ, 32(3), 143-149. (Read full article)
    13. Handy R, Spackman J, Moloney-Johns A, Loder R, Curran S, Valentin V, Rolls J, Schaefer C (2021). Administering a Physician Assistant Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Physician Assist Educ, 32(2), 119-122. (Read full article)
    14. Rolls J, Davis J, Backman R, Wood T, Honda T (2020). Curricular Approaches to Transgender Health in Physician Assistant Education. Acad Med, 95(10), 1563-1569. (Read full article)
    15. Rolls J (2019). Be Human. Be Kind. Acad Med, 94(6), 770. (Read full article)
    16. Rolls J, Keahey D (2016). Durability of Expanded Physician Assistant Training Positions Following the End of Health Resources and Services Administration Expansion of Physician Assistant Training Funding. J Physician Assist Educ, 27(3), 101-4. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Baker J, Rolls J (2020). Update on HIV prevention and preexposure prophylaxis. [Review]. JAAPA, 33(6), 12-17. (Read full article)

    Book Chapter

    1. Diane M Bruessow and Joanne Rolls (2021). Pharmacotherapy Related to Transgender Care. In Luu, B. Kayingo, G. Hass, V. (Eds.), Advanced Pharmacology for Prescribers (pp. 453-471). Danvers, MA: Springer Publishing Company.
    2. Marilyn Edmunds et al (2016). Chapter 4: HEENT Procedures. In Edmunds et al (Ed.), Procedures for the Primary Care Provider (Third). Elsevier.
    3. Marilyn Edmunds et al (2016). Chapter 7: Gastrointestional Procedures. In Edmunds et al (Ed.), Procedures for the Primary Care Provider (Third). Elsevier.
    4. Jordan K, Macri T et al (2016). Gender-Specific Considerations. In PSIA-AASI Freestyle Technical Manual. American Snowsports Education Association, Inc.

    Abstract

    1. Greenberg, J Palacio, J Robinson, A Medrano, V Spencer, M Rolls, J (). Cancer Screening in Women Being Treated for Opioid Use Disorder  [Abstract]. (Epub ahead of print)
    2. Gerner A, Jan S, Shah M, Snelson C, Greenberg J, Rolls J (2023). Assessing the frequency of fall risk screening in older adults on chronic opioids in primary care. [Abstract]. JAAPA, 36(12), 1. (Read full article)
    3. Rolls J, Naimabadi S, Barry C, Showstark M, Hamilton C, Quella A, Honda T (2023). Gender minority PA applicants and matriculation likelihood. [Abstract]. JAAPA, 36(12), 1. (Read full article)

    Other

    1. Hobson-Rohrer W, Rolls J, Wilson R (2022). Hobson-Rohrer W, Rolls J, Wilson R. How to Master Education in the Health Professions. Accelerate Learning Community. Feb 7, 2022.
    2. Joanne Rolls (Summer 2014). Inter-professional Student-Run Clinic Improves Access for Uninsured. Illuminations - The Magazine of The School of Medicine Alumni Association.

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Rolls J (2019). Be Human. Be Kind.  [Podcast]. Academic Medicine Podcast Series. Available: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/academic-medicine-podcast/id1112697692?mt=2.
    2. Cobb, Nadia, et al (03/01/2018). Clinical Prevention & Population Health Curriculum Framework: Social Determinants of Health Case Studies [Web]. Washington, DC: Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. Available: https://www.teachpopulationhealth.org/geriatricsdohcases.html.
    3. Rolls, Joanne Gunning, Karen (02/26/18). How an Excellent Clinician Becomes an Excellent Teacher [Web]. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Health, Accelerate. Available: https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/accelerate/blog/2018/02/karen-gunning-joanne-rolls-share-how-an-excellent-clinician-becomes-an-excellent-teacher.php?utm_source=email&utm_medium=constant-contact&utm_campaign=Changemakers&utm_content=1B-gunningrolls.
    4. Joanne Rolls, MPAS, PA-C (01/16/18). "Bad News:" Any information which adversely and seriously affects and individual's view of his or her future. [Web]. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Family Medicine Division. Available: https://fammedvitalsigns.com/2018/01/16/bad-news-any-information-which-adversely-and-seriously-affects-an-individuals-view-of-his-or-her-future/.