Palm Beach Atlantic University

Debra A. Schwinn, M.D., President Of Palm Beach Atlantic University, Oversees A Hidden Gem

A university president who does CrossFit? Yes, that’s Debra A. Schwinn, M.D., the accomplished ninth – and first female – president of Palm Beach Atlantic University, who has held the role since May. 

Previously, she was associate vice president for medical affairs; dean of Carver College of Medicine; and professor of anesthesiology, pharmacology and biochemistry at the University of Iowa. Before that, she held senior leadership roles at the University of Washington and Duke University, where she was director of cardiovascular genomics in the Center for Genomic Medicine. 

“PBA is a hidden gem,” says Dr. Schwinn. “I want people to understand the strength here and guide it into the 21st century.”

She says she knew that her experience as a medical school dean and academic medicine leader would be helpful in her role.

“However, I never anticipated how helpful my clinical expertise would be for the COVID-19 pandemic,” she says. “Being a physician has helped me gather true experts who can advise our university.” 

In fact, she says that PBA is among the 20 percent of U.S. universities that still offer in-person education.

The Ohio native earned her bachelor’s at the College of Wooster and her medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine. An accomplished educator and researcher, she’s authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. 

“I’m delighted to be able to lead a Christian university where I can focus on academics, specifically integrating faith and academics, as well as building community,” says Dr. Schwinn. “With integration of faith and academics in our unique ‘faith, roots and reason’ curriculum, it’s clear why we graduate true servant leaders.”  

Dr. Schwinn and her husband, Dr. Robert Gerstmyer, live in West Palm Beach and have two adult daughters. In her spare time, she reads and plays the violin. She’s a board member of PROMISE, an organization that brings quality health care to poor and vulnerable Palm Beach County women. And if you want to talk with her outside the office, you can find her in the early morning at El Cid Fitness in West Palm Beach.

Palm Beach Atlantic University is located at 901 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. For more information, call 888-GO-TO-PBA or visit pba.edu.

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