Areas of Practice Archives

PAs: Obstetrics and Gynecology Needs You!

President of APAOG, Melissa Rodriguez, DMSc, PA-C, thinks PAs are a great fit for practicing in obstetrics and gynecology; they are medically trained, compassionate, team-oriented, and are qualified to identify, prevent, and treat most, if not all, causes of maternal mortality.

August 3, 2021

Adrenaline Junkie: After 22 Years in Air Force, Pamela Lucas Now President of Veterans Caucus

Pamela Lucas, PA-C, spent 22 years in the Air Force. She made personnel assignments, planned for disasters, and was one of only three healthcare providers at a NATO base. She looks back on her active-duty career and shares what she’s up to now.

July 16, 2021

A Week in the Life of a PA in Radiation Oncology

What does a week look like for a PA in radiation oncology? Katey Wert, PA-C, has been practicing in the specialty for six years. While difficult at times, given the patient population, she finds the work rewarding and meaningful.

June 2, 2021

Reaching New Heights: From Cancer Survivor to Becoming the First PA in Space

Hayley Arceneaux, PA-C, practices at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, nearly two decades after undergoing treatment there for bone cancer. Now she has officially become the first PA to visit space. Arceneaux served as the medical officer on the world's first all-civilian space mission, and shares what led to this extraordinary opportunity.

March 19, 2021

I’m a PA in the U.S. Public Health Service

Lieutenant Junior Grade German S. Herrera, MPAS, PA-C, USPHS, had a love of science and a desire to help people. The United States Public Health Service – with its scholarship opportunities, benefits, and guaranteed job placement – was a perfect fit for him.

January 12, 2021

Could Rheumatology Be the Right Specialty for You?

The rheumatology specialty faces personnel shortages that may worsen as the population ages while rheumatologists retire. That’s why AAPA is offering new Rheumatic Learning curriculum which delivers a patient-case based simulated experience.

January 4, 2021

A Day in the Life of a PA in Ophthalmology

Joel Ciolek, MSPA, PA-C, is one of 80 PAs practicing in ophthalmology. He enjoys looking into someone’s eyes for a living and preserving and restoring vision. He describes a typical day doing comprehensive, medical retina, and vitreoretinal surgery.

December 8, 2020

The Ups and Downs of My First Year as a PA

When Diana Anderson, PA-C, graduated from her PA program, she landed an exciting job in urgent care. But her first months of practice were filled with unexpected events. She candidly shares the ups and downs of her first year as a PA.

June 22, 2020

PAs on the Front Lines: Alyssa Zantello Helps New York City During COVID-19

As the COVID-19 surge began in the U.S., Alyssa Zantello, PA-C, who practices orthopaedics in Michigan, found she couldn’t sit at home and do nothing. Forty eight hours after a conversation with her mentor, she was on a plane to New York City.

June 11, 2020