Kathleen “Kathy” Howard, MSPAS, PA-C is the Acting Executive Director of Physician Assistant Services for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She currently also serves as the Director of PA Policy, Productivity, and Access for PAS.

Dr. Howard has served our nation’s veterans for almost 19 years. Prior to her appointment in VA Central office, PA Howard served as the Acting Section Chief of Specialty Med/Surg at the Greenville HCC, and as Acting Section Chief of Primary Care for Greenville HCC and Morehead City CBOC. Dr. Howard serves as an SME in most PA-related topics in the VA.

Dr. Howard graduated from the University of Lynchburg with her DMSc in 2025. She was chosen as the distinguished student speaker and received the Leadership and Advocacy award for 2025. She graduated with distinction from Arcadia University with her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 1999, where she served as president of her class. She received her undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1991 with a double major in Journalism and Mass Communications and Speech Communications.

She has received several honors, including VAPAA PA of the Year 2023; Outstanding PA of the Year Durham VA Health Care System 2016, Triangle Area Physician Assistant PA of the Year 2007, and North Carolina Academy Member Spotlight 2008.

When not at work, she can be found volunteering, reading, spending time with her husband of 24 years, and traveling to see her 2 sons.