Faculty

Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Program Directors & Lead Faculty

Cynthia Goetz

PA Program Interim Director and Director of PA Academic Support | c-goetz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2014

I have worked in the areas of Family Medicine, Urgent Care, Bariatric Medicine and Retail Medicine. My passion is serving the PA Profession in various leadership positions and teaching students about state and national practice issues of the PA profession.

Faculty

Abigail Brubaker

Assistant Professor of Physician Assisting | a-brubaker@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025

Hematology and Oncology

Jason Byers

Adjunct Faculty | jason.byers@allina.com | Started at Bethel: 2020

Lead Physician, Allina Coon Rapids Family Medicine Residency, St. John's/U of M

Polly Hendel

Assistant Professor | p-hendel@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Program. Background in retail medicine and behavioral health.

Daniel Leafblad

Adjunct Assistant Professor and Medical Director of Physician Assistant Studies | d-leafblad@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009

Infertility, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, laser surgery

Jonathan Lofgren

Adjunct Adjunct | lofjon@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

I'm mainly a hospitalist, but teach adjunct at the PA program.

Abbie Marten

Instructor of Biological Sciences | ae-reynen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Instructor of Biological Sciences

Krista Nauman

Assistant Professor | krista-nauman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020

Assistant professor in the PA program and physician assistant in orthopedic spine surgery

Blair Nelson

Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences and Director of Didactic Education | blair-nelson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Dr. Nelson is the program director of Bethel University's Master of Science in Medical Sciences. The program director serves as a mentor to students and helps facilitate the integration of faith and learning in the program. Additionally, Dr. Nelson is an assistant professor in the Master of Science Physician Assistant program at Bethel University.

Jeanne Szarzynski

Adjunct Faculty | j-szarzynski@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Physician Assistant

Adjunct Faculty

Kacia Engel

Adjunct Professor | kle57947@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2020

Strong passion for emergency medicine and acute care issue. Interested in wellness for healthcare providers; given all the stressors faced.

Christy Hanson

Adjunct Professor | c-hanson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012

Family Medicine; Orthopedics, specializing in spine care; Urgent Care

Kristie Johnson

Adjunct Instructor of Physician Assistant Studies | kristine-kunnari@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025

Family Medicine

Allen Mork

Adjunct instructor | ajmork@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2025

I am currently a practicing family physician in Cambridge, MN where I have lived and worked for the past 33 years. I will be retiring in January 2025 and am looking forward to working with the PA program at Bethel! My wife and I have 6 children and 6 grandchildren. My interests include camping and canoeing the BWCAW, fishing, hiking, reading and beekeeping.

Cameron Svihla

Adjunct Faculty | cameron-svihla@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

I'm MN born and raised. I completed both my undergraduate and graduate studies at Bethel University, completing my PA studies in 2019. For the first 2 years of my practice, I was at the CentraCare Plaza Urgent Care. I am currently a provider in the emergency department at HCMC where I plan to be long-term. Outside of medicine, I spend my time with my friends/church community, finding new music, working out, and playing a variety of sports (tennis, pickleball, golf). I'm so excited to be ba. . . read more.

Chris Tuey

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physician Assisting; Assessment Coordinator | tuey@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Interests include clinical medicine, medical information systems, and research.

Martha Weber

Adjunct Faculty | mlw35262@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025

Family Medicine and Urgent Care

Emeritus/Emerita Faculty

Timothy Shaw

Professor of Biological Sciences Emeritus | t-shaw@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1985

Shaw's research interests include development of chick nervous system, the brain and feeding behavior, relationships between the structure of the brain and behavior, progress in new clinical treatment options, and the biology of morality.