All Things PA Education

Advancing LGBTQ+ Health Education in PA Programs

In this episode, Dipu Patel, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, president of the PA Education Association, sits down with Elijah Salzer, DMSc, PA-C, NYSAFE, C-EFM, CAQ-OBGYN, clinical professor at Pace University, and Justine Herndon, PA-C, assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic. As leaders of the Sexual and Gender Minority LGBTQ+ Health Special Interest Group (SIG), they discuss the gaps in LGBTQ+ health education, the need for inclusive curriculum integration, and strategies for addressing bias and fostering culturally competent care. They highlight the importance of ongoing education and open conversations to improve patient outcomes and advance PA training.
This episode is supported by the University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences’ Doctor ofMedical Science program.
 
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

Leadership, Innovation, and Community in PA Education

In this episode, Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, sits down with Dipu Patel, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, and president of PAEA. Patel shares her journey to PAEA leadership, her passion for amplifying member voices, and how AI and digital health are shaping the future of PA education. She also discusses her newly published book, featuring insights from PA students, and the vital role of special interest groups in fostering collaboration and innovation. The conversation explores the power of community, technology, and forward-thinking strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of PA education.
 
This episode is supported by the University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences’ Doctor ofMedical Science program.
 
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

Data Management and Visualization in PA Education

In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, speaks with Stephane P. VanderMeulen, MPAS, MA, PA-C, Program Director of the PA Program at Creighton University, and Rachel Vaca-Lubischer, MSW, MPA, Program Evaluation Analyst at Creighton University. Together, they discuss their groundbreaking project to develop a dynamic dashboard designed to streamline and optimize data management for a new PA program. The conversation dives into the inspiration behind the dashboard, born out of the complexities of managing large volumes of data during accreditation processes. Stephane and Rachel share how they combined technological expertise, data visualization techniques, and teamwork to transition from manual efforts to an efficient, user-friendly solution that enhances data accessibility and supports faculty decision-making. They also offer valuable advice on starting early, defining clear goals, and applying data visualization principles to make information more actionable and impactful. 
 
This episode is sponsored by PA Excel. For more information, visit them online at paexcel.com. 
 
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

The Importance of Data in PA Education

In this episode, Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, talks with Robert Furter, PhD, MBA, Senior Director of Research & DataOps, and Principal Psychometrician at PAEA, about the vital role of data in PA education. Furter emphasizes intentional data collection and analysis, distinguishing between meaningful signals and noise. He outlines PAEA’s efforts to enhance data visualization, aiming to introduce dynamic dashboards by 2025. Additionally, Furter stresses the importance of robust, accessible data sets for program evaluation and quality improvement, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach and ensuring research validity.
 
This episode is sponsored by PA Excel. For more information, visit them online at paexcel.com. 
 
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

Navigating Learning Differences in PA Education

In this episode, Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, interviews Vanessa Cobarrubias, PA-C, a member of the White House Fellowship Board and former White House Fellow at the Office of the First Lady/Department of Health & Human Services. They discuss the challenges within the PA profession, highlighting the need for advocacy, better working conditions, and the promotion of professional growth. Vanessa shares her personal journey with dyslexia, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding in PA education. She suggests alternative learning models and effective teaching strategies to support individuals with dyslexia. 
This episode is sponsored by Lincoln Memorial University School of Medical Sciences. For more information about the doctor of medical science program, visit https://www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/dms/. For more information on the medical education major curriculum, visit https://www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/dms/medical-education-major-curriculum.
 
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

Creating a Positive Work Environment

In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Kendall Mealy, MPA, chief people officer at PAEA. They dive into strategies for creating a positive work environment and offering opportunities for growth and development. Kendall emphasizes the critical role of learning and development as a core business function and the necessity of integrating talent development into every organization's strategy. 
 
This episode is supported by Southern Illinois University Medicine Doctor of Medical Science Degree.
 
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

A Deep Dive into Holistic Program Assessment

In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Michael Roscoe, PhD, PA-C, adjunct didactic faculty with both the entry-level and doctoral PA programs at the University of Lynchburg. Together, they discuss program assessment and the holistic, multi-source evaluation of competencies in PA education.
 
This episode is sponsored by PA Excel. For more information, visit them online at paexcel.com.  
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

Unraveling the Assessment Process

In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Casey Johnson, PhD, senior director of assessment services and psychometrician at the PA Education Association. Together, they embark on a journey deep into the realm of assessment, exploring its pivotal role in evaluating student performance. Delve into the nuances of assessment methodologies, uncovering the distinctions between exams like the PANCE and the PACKRAT®, and gain insights into the meticulous process of crafting high-quality assessment items. 
 
This episode is sponsored by PA Excel. For more information, visit them online at paexcel.com.  
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

Simulation in PA Education

In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Dr. Laura Gonzalez, vice president of healthcare innovation at Sentinel U. Together, they delve into the advantages of simulation in healthcare education and its role in effectively preparing learners for clinical practice. Discover key considerations for planning successful simulations, the importance of standardization, and strategies for enhancing learning outcomes. 
 
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.

Advocacy and Pioneering Rural Health

In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Bill Finerfrock, co-founder of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, and Colonel William John Gill, current president of the Research and Education Foundation for the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. The three discuss crucial topics such as federal advocacy, pathways to involvement in the PA profession, the rich history of rural health clinics, the genesis of NARHC, and offer valuable advice to PA students keen on pursuing rural practice.
 
This episode is sponsored by Aquifer. 
 
All Things PA Education is sponsored by Butler University Doctor of Medical Science Programs.