Ruth Ballweg, MPA, PA-C

Director, MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program

Ruth Ballweg is the Director of University of Washington, School of Medicine, MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program. MEDEX is one of the partners in the creation of the DENTEX Program. Ruth has been a physician assistant since the mid ‘70’s, joined the UW faculty in 1981 and became Program Director in 1985. MEDEX is currently the academic home for the DHAT program. Ruth works with the DHAT students during the first year of training on issues of role transition and professional development.  Ruth is nationally and internationally known as a spokesperson for primary care and speaks passionately about dental therapists to groups around the world.  Ruth is “Mom” to two grown children and “Grandma Ruth” to a granddaughter and 3 grandsons.