Physician assistant wins national award

David J. Keahey, of the University of Utah's School of Medicine, was named the national Inner City Physician Assistant of the Year.

Keahey, the associate director of graduate studies for the Utah Physician Assistant Program at the U.'s medical school, was given the award at the American Academy of Physician Assistants national conference in Las Vegas this month.

The award is designed to honor a physician assistant who has provided health care to the underserved population in an inner city.

Keahey graduate from the U.'s Physician Assistant program in 1983 and received a master's in public health degree from the U.'s Public Health Program in 1989. His entire career has been with the Community Health Center Inc. system in Salt Lake City. He also has cared for patients at the Central City Clinic.

A crystal paragon award was presented along with a check for $2,500 to Keahey. A matching contribution also will be given in his name to the Physicians for a National Health Program.