Jonathan Kilstrom, PA-C, is an Assistant Professor in the Physician Assistant Program at Creighton University, where he is dedicated to shaping the next generation of clinically skilled, reflective, and compassionate physician assistants. With eight years of experience in PA education, he has been actively involved in curriculum development, student advising, program evaluation, and the advancement of evidence-informed instructional methods.
Prior to joining Creighton, Kilstrom served as core faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) PA Program, where he taught within the didactic curriculum, facilitated clinical skills training, and supported longitudinal academic assessment. He later joined the Yale PA Program as faculty, contributing to core medical instruction, student mentorship, and admissions processes. In this role, he served as Chair of Admissions, overseeing applicant evaluation, selection procedures, and holistic review practices designed to support equity, diversity, and excellence in candidate recruitment.
Kilstrom is an alumnus of Creighton University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services before entering clinical practice as an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant, a role he continues to maintain. His ongoing clinical work ensures that the education he delivers remains grounded in current standards, real-time clinical decision-making, and meaningful patient care.
In addition to his teaching and clinical practice, Kilstrom has developed research interests in physician assistant education, assessment methodology, and the integration of clinical reasoning frameworks into early medical training. He has contributed to scholarly collaboration, presentation, and ongoing inquiry aimed at improving outcomes in PA education and advancing the profession’s academic landscape.
Rooted in Creighton’s Jesuit values, Kilstrom is committed to fostering personal formation, professional integrity, and whole-person care among students. His work reflects a deep belief in the transformative impact of PA education — for learners, for the communities they will serve, and for the future of healthcare.
Physician Assistant Board Review: Certification and PANRE Recertification Van Rhee, James, Kilstrom, Jonathan, Neary, Stephanie, Ruggeri, Mary 2023
Articles
Journal of Physician Assistant Education Coplan, Bettie, Miller, A., Ritsema, T., Bonnin, K., Luck, M., McDaniel, J., Bay, C., Kiselyk, A., Kilstrom, J., DiBaise, M. Graduate Record Examination Removal From Admissions and Physician Assistant/Associate Student Diversity 2025
BMC Medical Education Sasek, Cody, Kilstrom, J., Opar, S., Simons, Z. Physician Assistant Education Program Director Attrition and Consideration to Leave 23 2023
Journal of Physician Assistant Education Kilstrom, Jonathan, Neary, S., Roman, C., Garrubba, C., LeLacheur, S., Van Rhee, J. Factors Influencing Physician Assistant Student Attrition Rates 33, p. 341-345 2022
Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants Van Rhee, James, Neary, Stephanie; Bruce, Christine Chapter 15: Neurologic System, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension 2022
Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants Van Rhee, James, Bruce, Christine, Neary, Stephanie Chapter 9: Nutrition, The Role of Niacin 2022
Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants Van Rhee, James, Bruce, Christine, Neary, Stephanie Chapter 9: Nutrition, The Role of Riboflavin 2022
Publications
Physician Assistant Clinics Kilstrom, Jonathan, Wildermuth, Annie Update on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention 7, p. 31-42 2021
Presentations
NCCPA Represent! Summit 2024
2023 PAEA Forum Fall Conference 2023
2023 PAEA Forum Fall Workshop - October 10-11, 2023 2023
Yale University School of Medicine Medical Education Day 2023
2022 PAEA Forum Fall Workshop - October 11-12, 2022 2022
International Association of Medical Science Educators Conference 2022
2020 PAEA Education Forum 2021
2021 PAEA Education Forum 2021
2021 PAEA Education Forum 2021
2021 PAEA Education Forum 2021
2019 PAEA Education Forum 2019
Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants Annual CME Conference 2019