Ted Ruback was recruited to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in October 1994 to develop, implement and direct the first physician assistant program in Oregon.

He is a graduate of the Child Health Associate Program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Prior to entering academia, Ted practiced full time for 13 years as a physician assistant in pediatrics in both rural and urban settings. Ted came to OHSU from the Emory University PA Program in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as associate director and director of admissions.

Outside of his program responsibilities, Ted currently serves as immediate past president of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the organization which represents all PA programs in the country. Ted also serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Society of Physician Assistants and as chair of the Physician Assistant Committee of the Oregon Medical Board.  Additionally he serves on the Statewide Advisory Council to the Oregon Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. Previously, Ted has served as the chair of the education council of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) as well as other leadership roles in the PAEA, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). In 2006 the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) presented Ted with its Master Faculty Award.