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From AAPA’s Leaders

Hear directly from the president and chair of AAPA’s Board of Directors, the organization’s chief executive officer, and your fellow PAs who volunteer their time and expertise in support of the profession. Be inspired by the ways in which they give back to their communities and their patients and work to raise awareness of PAs, and stay up to date on AAPA’s short- and long-term initiatives and business goals.

From Our President

Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA

President and Chair, Board of Directors

From Our President

  • April
    2025

    • What’s New: PAs Go Beyond Campaign Impact, Upcoming Webinar & More
      AAPA President Jason Prevelige shares a powerful new PAs Go Beyond video, recent advocacy wins, and a new title change resource. He also introduces a webinar to discuss the first 100 days of the new administration and what it means for PAs and the healthcare landscape.

  • March
    2025

    • Reach New Heights at AAPA 2025
      In the lead up to AAPA 2025, President Jason Prevelige shares details on some of the special events, networking offerings, and other opportunities PAs and PA students can look forward to in Denver.

  • February
    2025

    • New AAPA Survey Shows Physician Support for PAs
      AAPA President Jason Prevelige shares the findings of the newly commissioned AAPA national survey, conducted by Morning Consult, to explore physicians’ attitudes and perceptions of physician associates.

  • January
    2025

    • Exciting News to Kick Off 2025
      AAPA President Jason Prevelige kicks off 2025 by sharing exciting news about the PA profession and what PAs can looks forward to in the months ahead.

  • December
    2024

    • Another Fantastic Year for PAs
      As 2024 comes to a close, AAPA President Jason Prevelige reflects on the progress PAs have made this year, and the successes that are yet to come in the new year!

  • November
    2024

    • Thankful for PAs
      As Thanksgiving approaches, AAPA President Jason Prevelige shares his gratitude to PAs and the work they have accomplished around the country and world.

  • October
    2024

    • Are You Ready for PA Week?
      AAPA President Jason Prevelige spotlights the numerous ways PAs can participate during National PA Week. He also highlights the year’s victories and opportunities for PAs to demonstrate how PAs Go Beyond, to show patients, fellow providers, and lawmakers the impact PAs make every day.

  • September
    2024

    • The AMA Has Responded to Letters from AAPA
      In the interest of full transparency, AAPA President Jason Prevelige and CEO Lisa Gables have shared the response AAPA received from the AMA, regarding AAPA’s pushback to the AMA’s campaign targeting PAs.

  • August
    2024

    • Three Ways to Stand Up to the AMA
      AAPA is building a movement to put an end to baseless attacks against the PA profession. Following a letter to the AMA, AAPA President Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA encourages all PAs to join AAPA and confront AMA’s unjust and harmful attacks on PAs and other healthcare providers.

 

Read Archived Messages

From Our CEO

Lisa Gables headshot

Lisa M. Gables, CPA

Chief Executive Officer

From Our CEO

  • September
    2024

    • The AMA Has Responded to Letters from AAPA
      In the interest of full transparency, AAPA President Jason Prevelige and CEO Lisa Gables have shared the response AAPA received from the AMA, regarding AAPA’s pushback to the AMA’s campaign targeting PAs.

  • December
    2023

    • The Latest on PA Brand and Title Change
      Since the AAPA House of Delegates passed a resolution affirming “physician associate” as the official title of the PA profession in 2021, AAPA has made progress in building public awareness of this new title while simultaneously elevating the PA brand.

  • May
    2023

    • Tennessee Patients Weigh in on the Current State of Healthcare
      The Harris Poll findings illuminate challenges patients face every day to take care of themselves and their loved ones. The alarming poll results signal a need for immediate action to shore up the healthcare workforce and increase access to care for patients.

  • April
    2023

    • Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Learning Lab
      During this DAC Learning Laboratory, AAPA CEO Lisa Gables spoke about the importance of partnership and collaboration in developing sustainable and scalable programs for Alzheimer’s early detection.

  • February
    2023

    • Letter to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
      AAPA CEO Lisa Gables provides comments on the proposed rulemaking on medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder and how AAPA is committed to working with federal agencies to advance our shared mission of improving access to high-quality healthcare and ending the opioid epidemic.

  • November
    2020

    • AAPA Response to AMA’s #StopScopeCreep Campaign
      In a letter to the American Medical Association (AMA), AAPA CEO Lisa Gable and President Beth Smolko ask that AMA cease advancing the false and offensive narrative in the #StopScopeCreep campaign, which suggests PA care is not safe and jeopardizes patient safety.

  • March
    2020

    • To fight coronavirus, let physician assistants order home health services
      CEO Lisa Gables discusses how PAs play a significant part of the on-the-ground efforts to diagnose and treat COVID-19, and what legislative action can be taken to allow PAs to practice to the fullest extent of their training and abilities to improve access and affordability of care to patients.

Our Volunteer Leaders

Our Volunteer Leaders

  • September
    2022

    • PA Ben Reynolds Represents PAs at the Leadership Table
      Ben Reynolds, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, believes participation is the lifeblood of a community. But he’s more than a participant; he’s a leader, always looking for ways to improve others’ lives – whether PAs, patients, or fellow community members.

  • August
    2022

 

PAs Go Beyond News

Asha Byrd Prioritizes Connection When Caring for Her Patients at the Sacramento Native American Health Center

Asha Byrd, PA-C, first saw the importance of building a rapport with patients through her volunteer work at medical facilities like the Northeastern Tribal Health System in Oklahoma. Now as a physician associate in primary care, she continues to prioritize connection—along with creating safe spaces and addressing barriers—when caring for undeserved patients at the holistic-minded Sacramento Native American Health Center.

April 16, 2025

Physician Associate Jenny Burke Responds to a Cardiac Arrest on the Ski Slope and in the Operating Room

Jenny Burke was on her second day of ski patrol in Casper, Wyoming, when her team got the call: A man was lying in the snow at the bottom of the hill. Burke responded to Colin Anderson’s cardiac arrest as a volunteer at the ski facility, then later took the lead on a crucial procedure as a cardiothoracic physician associate on his open-heart surgery team at the local hospital.

April 4, 2025

PAs Transform Post-Discharge Care, Reduce Readmissions with the Support of AI

In 2022, Carrie Hodge, PA-C, teamed up with a former ED colleague of hers, Gidon Coussin, DMSc, PA-C, and Sarig Reichert to develop a technology-driven post-discharge model of care. Together, they launched Dimer Health with a clinical platform designed to provide personalized, real-time, dynamic support for patients, during the critical time after a hospital discharge.

March 20, 2025

Two-Time Breast Cancer Survivor PA Carrie Hodge is Finding New Ways to Bridge Gaps in Care

Caroline “Carrie” Hodge, PA-C, spent years in emergency medicine before setting out to redefine what is possible in post-hospital care. In 2023, Hodge co-founded Dimer Health, whose transitional care model has been deployed across parts of New Jersey, New York, and Florida. The rapid adoption is a testament to its effectiveness, as well as to Hodge’s leadership.

February 20, 2025

Shaping Future Leaders: PA Rashadah Jordan’s Impact Through PAthways Mentorship Program

Rashadah Jordan, PA-C, DMS-C, PSY-CAQ, has mentored prospective PA students since 2019 and knows the value of having someone that can offer encouragement and understands the process. Jordan is currently mentoring two students in AAPA’s PAthways program, including recent graduate Tamera Robinson.

February 10, 2025

PA Lili Barajas and Her Commitment to Health Equity and Representation in Medicine

In the aftermath of the tragic Los Angeles wildfires, volunteers like PA Lili Barajas jumped into action to aid in relief efforts. Barajas is no stranger to giving back and is dedicated to serving underserved communities and increasing representation in healthcare.

February 7, 2025

PA in Rural Kentucky Promotes the Profession Both Locally and Internationally

Onieta Stewart, DMSc, PA-C, is a critical care physician associate at UK St. Claire, a hospital that serves an expansive, rural area in eastern Kentucky. In addition to her work as the assistant director of the hospital’s residency program as well as a volunteer faculty for the University of Kentucky PA program, Stewart also visits other countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, to educate medical professionals on evolving roles of PAs.

January 27, 2025

PA Bob Thomann Launched “BrightBot” to Help Prevent the Spread of Infections

During the COVID-19 pandemic, physician associate and engineer Bob Thomann set out to find a better way to sanitize medical equipment and hospital rooms. With innovation and patients in mind, he designed “BrightBots,” affordable and easy-to-use portable UVC lights that will kill germs and bacteria in a matter of minutes. His clients include hospitals, nursing homes, and dental offices.

January 24, 2025

Major Makeda Tiye Young, an Integral Leader During Hurricane Helene

A few months after graduating from her PA program, National Guardsman Makeda Tiye Young, PA-C, was assigned to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts for the Western Branch in North Carolina. The experience inspired her to take on similar leadership roles, both as an officer and a physician associate.

January 15, 2025

Michigan PA Helps Brighten the Holidays for Local Foster Children

PA and preceptor Kara Szczomak gives back in both her personal and professional life. Each year, she and her family have a tradition of “adopting” two foster children and donating presents and essentials to give them a special holiday season.

December 19, 2024