Rate My Professor Gerald Simons

Gerald Simons, MPAS, DFAAPA, PA-C, serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor and faculty member in the Physician Assistant program at the Southampton campus of Stony Brook University's School of Health Professions. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Cardiorespiratory Science from Stony Brook University in 1993, where he was active in the Volunteer Ambulance Corps and played tennis. Following his undergraduate studies, Simons worked as a critical care EMT and respiratory therapist before graduating from the Weill Cornell Medical PA Program, serving as president of the Student Society. His clinical career includes roles in general and laparoscopic surgery, urgent care, and primary care. Certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine, he specializes in wound care and is recognized as a subject matter expert in gastrointestinal conditions. At Stony Brook Southampton, he coordinates the Surgery academic unit, oversees clinical rotations in surgery, and delivers lectures on GI disorders, the microbiome, and the gut-brain axis.

With deep roots in Long Island, where his family has resided since 1685, Simons has developed a strong focus on tick-borne diseases, treating complex patients and collaborating with scientific and support organizations. He is a founding scientific advisor for the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Regional Tick-borne Disease Research Center and leads an IRB-approved study investigating the connection between Lyme disease and fatigue. A leader in professional associations, he has served as two-time president of the American Association of Surgical PAs, long-time board member, and Chief Delegate for surgery to the AAPA House of Delegates. He directs AASPA national wound care workshops, pre-PA education programs, and POCUS training, and has held positions as secretary, CME lecturer, and committee chair for the NY State Society of PAs. His accolades include the 2024 AASPA National Preceptor of the Year, Kirklin Award for Excellence in Surgical Skills, March of Dimes Health Career Award, 2010 National Humanitarian Award from the Global Lyme Alliance, Past NYSSPA Educator of the Year, NYSSPA 2024 Award for Original Research, over ten university teaching awards, and Fireman of the Year from the Springs Fire Department. Simons frequently presents public lectures on tick-borne diseases and contributes to community outreach initiatives. He authored the entry 'Traumatology' in the Encyclopedia of Trauma Care (2015).