Benjamin Spurlock, MS, PA-C
Interim Program Director
Principal Faculty/Assistant Professor

Mr. Spurlock attended Marshall University where he received bachelor degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology. He received his master’s degree from the Marietta College Physician Assistant program in 2013 when he cultivated an interest in becoming an educator. Mr. Spurlock has practiced in Kentucky as an emergency room physician assistant since graduating. Over the last several years, he has enjoyed precepting PA and medical students as well as giving lectures on emergency medicine topics to local EMS companies. With this next step in his career, Mr. Spurlock looks forward to using his over-caffeinated enthusiasm and dry wit to help impart a foundation of knowledge to the next generation of medical professionals.

Stephen L. Wilson, MD, DABS, MBA, FACS
Medical Director

Dr. Wilson serves as medical director of the Physician Assistant program and professor of surgery at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. He is also a board-certified general surgeon with Marshall Health, specializes in endoscopies as well as general, vascular, minimally invasive hernia, gastro-intestinal, trauma, robotic and critical care surgeries. Dr. Wilson earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, followed by residencies at Indiana University in Bloomington and Marshall University. He has served on faculty at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine since 2008.

Khew-Voon Chin, PhD
Principal Faculty

Dr. Chin is a professor of biomedical sciences at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. He obtained his Ph.D. from Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer. Dr. Chin was a faculty member at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and also the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He taught and conducted research in cancer, genomics, obesity, and drug development. Prior to joining the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Dr. Chin was the CEO of a biotechnology company and led the development of a diagnostic test and biotherapeutics for tuberculosis. Dr. Chin teaches both Foundations of Medicine and Evidence Based Medicine in Marshall’s Physician Assistant program.

Jessica Dearman, MS, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education | Principal Faculty

Ms. Dearman is a lifelong resident of West Virginia, growing up in the Parkersburg area. She obtained her bachelor's degree at WVU-Parkersburg and graduated with her master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Alderson-Broaddus College in 2011. Ms. Dearman has practiced in multiple specialties including neurology, family medicine, asthma and allergy, internal  medicine, and most recently, urgent care. She also was provided the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide care to thousands of refugees during operation Allies Welcome. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with and vacationing with her family, particularly at the beach.

Katharine Lee, MS, PA-C
Principal Faculty

Ms. Lee is a resident of Gallia County, Ohio. She graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Medical Laboratory Science in 2013. She received her master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2017 from A.T. Still University and has been practicing largely emergency medicine and internal medicine (inpatient) and has experience in aesthetics and family practice. Prior to her PA career, she worked as a histologist and medical laboratory technologist. She has enjoyed being a preceptor to PA and medical students and looks forward to helping future medical learners build a strong foundation. She enjoys canoeing, white water rafting and traveling/road tripping with her husband and their dog.   

Dr. Holly Knuckles, DMS, PA-C
Principal Faculty/Assistant Professor

Dr. Knuckles is a resident of Boyd County, Kentucky. Originally from West Virginia, she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Marshall University in 2001. She received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Kentucky in 2006 and a Doctorate in Medical Science from Butler University in 2024. She has practiced mainly within surgical sub-specialties including OB/GYN and Vascular Surgery. During her clinical career, Dr. Knuckles has served as a senior APP lead, been a frequent preceptor for Physician Assistant/Pre-PA students, and launched a transition to clinical practice program. Through these various roles, she developed a passion for PA education and desires to leave a lasting impact on the future generation of PAs. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, and spending quality time with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Dr. Michele Roach-Courts, DMS, PA-C
Principal Faculty/Assistant Professor

Dr. Roach-Courts brings more than 20 years of experience as a physician assistant to the program. She attended West Virginia University where she received a Bachelor of Science
degree in Exercise Physiology. She received B.S. in Medical Science in 2003 from Alderson Broaddus College and has been practicing medicine predominantly in primary care since
graduation. She also has experience in psychiatry and urgent care. She went on to complete her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2008. Recently,
she completed her Doctor of Medical Science with an emphasis in Medical Education from Lincoln Memorial University. Prior to joining the Marshall University PA Program, she had
spent the last ten years working at a federally qualified health center providing care to some of the state’s most vulnerable population. This is where she found her love for
treating patients with Hepatitis C. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, the performing arts, and is a self-proclaimed foodie. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Dr. Roach-Courts looks forward to helping the next generation of PAs become skilled and compassionate providers.

Diana R. Maue
Program Manager

Ms. Maue is a 1992 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and is a resident of Cabell County, West Virginia, with her husband and two sons. She served Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Biomedical Research from 2005 until joining her new PA family in 2019. Ms. Maue brings a wealth of experience to Marshall’s new PA program in the areas of communication, relationship development, proofreading, event planning, recruitment, website development and student-related affairs. When not working or spending time with her family, Ms. Maue enjoys movies, games and interacting with fun-loving people.

Kimberly Brooks
Office Administrator

Ms. Brooks is a proud graduate of Marshall University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Prior to joining the Physician Assistant program, she has had several roles, including working in the Alumni Relations Office for Marshall University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping and traveling.