CAPA mourns the passing of Rev. Wendell S. Wharton, Jr., PA, DFAAPA, a longtime leader, educator, advocate, and pioneer in the PA profession, who passed away on August 18, 2026.

Wharton began his career as a PA in 1978 after graduating from the PA program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Over the decades that followed, he practiced across numerous specialties throughout Southern California while also building a distinguished career in PA education and professional leadership.

His service to CAPA spanned multiple periods in the organization's history. He served as Director-at-Large in 1980, Vice President in 1982, 1983, and 1990, President-Elect in 1991, and CAPA President in 1992. His leadership also extended nationally. Wharton served as an AAPA House of Delegates delegate for 20 years and held several House officer positions, becoming the first African American elected as an AAPA House of Delegates officer.

Wharton was also a significant advocate for greater representation within the profession. He helped develop the concept of ethnic-based special interest groups within AAPA and served as the first president of what became the African Heritage Caucus. He was also among the founding members of the Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History, now the PA History Society.

Education was another defining part of Wharton's career. At Charles R. Drew University, he taught PA students, served as director of training, and later became program director. He received the university's Outstanding Instructor Award three times. In 1990, he also developed a national board review course for PAs, which eventually transitioned to an online format and continued through 2012.

Beyond medicine, Wharton served his community through his ministry and church leadership. His life reflected decades of service as a clinician, educator, mentor, advocate, and leader.

As CAPA celebrates its 50th anniversary and reflects on the people who helped shape our organization, we remember Wendell Wharton and his lasting contributions to CAPA, California PAs, and the profession nationwide.

Source: Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History, Inc., Johns Creek, GA. Biography, Wharton, Wendell S. Jr. (2016; updated 2026). Retrieved from the PA History Society website.