All Things PA Education
Join the PA Education Association’s CEO Dr. Sara Fletcher as she chats with leading experts in PA education, discussing trends, philosophies, programs, and issues directly impacting our profession. This conversational podcast offers a relaxed journey into the professional, and sometimes personal lives of those that focus on PA education.
Join the PA Education Association’s CEO Dr. Sara Fletcher as she chats with leading experts in PA education, discussing trends, philosophies, programs, and issues directly impacting our profession. This conversational podcast offers a relaxed journey into the professional, and sometimes personal lives of those that focus on PA education.
Episodes

Jul 23, 2024
Navigating Learning Differences in PA Education
Jul 23, 2024
Jul 23, 2024
27 min
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.
Jul 23, 2024
27 min

Jun 25, 2024
Creating a Positive Work Environment
Jun 25, 2024
Jun 25, 2024
35 min
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.
Jun 25, 2024
35 min

May 28, 2024
A Deep Dive into Holistic Program Assessment
May 28, 2024
May 28, 2024
27 min
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.
May 28, 2024
27 min

Apr 23, 2024
Unraveling the Assessment Process
Apr 23, 2024
Apr 23, 2024
25 min
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.
Apr 23, 2024
25 min

Mar 26, 2024
Simulation in PA Education
Mar 26, 2024
Mar 26, 2024
20 min
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.
Mar 26, 2024
20 min

Feb 27, 2024
Advocacy and Pioneering Rural Health
Feb 27, 2024
Feb 27, 2024
46 min
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.
Feb 27, 2024
46 min

Jan 23, 2024
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in PA Education
Jan 23, 2024
Jan 23, 2024
14 min
In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Emma Sellers, MS, chief equity, diversity, and inclusion officer at PAEA. The two discuss opportunities for PAs and higher education in the EDI space.
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.
Jan 23, 2024
14 min

Nov 28, 2023
Navigating a Curriculum Change
Nov 28, 2023
Nov 28, 2023
17 min
In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Jonathan M. Bowser, MS, PA-C, program director and associate dean of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Colorado. The two discuss Bowser's experience leading a major curriculum change.
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.
Nov 28, 2023
17 min

Oct 31, 2023
Preparing for the Future: PA Assessment Program
Oct 31, 2023
Oct 31, 2023
21 min
In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Olivia Ziegler, PA, chief experience office at the PA Education Association. The two discuss the growth and development of PAEA's Assessment Program and how it drives success for our profession.
This episode is supported by Southern Illinois University Medicine Doctor of Medical Science Degree.
All Things PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.
Oct 31, 2023
21 min

Sep 26, 2023
Discussing Entry-Level Doctoral Degrees
Sep 26, 2023
Sep 26, 2023
26 min
In this episode, host Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, chats with Dr. Howard Straker, PA-C, MPH, director of the Physician Assistant/MPH Program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and Dr. Nicole Burwell, PA-C, department chair and program director of the North Carolina A&T Physician Assistant Program. The three discuss the pros and cons of an entry level doctorate degree and its impact on the future of the profession.
This episode is sponsored by PA Excel. For more information, visit them online at paexcel.com.
Show notes
Dr. Howard Straker has more than 30 years of PA educational and clinical experience, and is an assistant professor in the Physician Assistant Program. Straker serves as director of the Physician Assistant MPH Program, coordinating the joint degree curriculum across the Physician Assistant Program and four departments within the Milken Institute School of Public Health. He teaches in both the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and the Department of Prevention & Community Health. Straker’s interests are in the preparation of practitioners to work in underserved communities, diversity and inclusion, health professions workforce, and blended learning pedagogy.
Dr. Nicole B. Burwell, PA-C, is the founding director of the Physician Assistant Studies master's program and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences. She is a well-known figure in the PA field, currently serving as president-elect for PAEA. She is formerly director of the pre-clerkship for the Stanford University M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program and director of clinical education for The George Washington University PA program.
This episode of All Thing PA Education is produced by Association Briefings.
Sep 26, 2023
26 min

Meet your host
Sara Fletcher, PhD, Chief Executive Officer for PAEA, has been an educator for over
20 years, having taught at both the primary and university level and served as a public
school administrator. She has also designed curricula for local and national audiences.
Fletcher has been CEO of PAEA since 2022, but that leadership role comes after
several years as a key executive including service as PAEA’s Chief Operating Officer
and Vice President and Chief Learning Officer. Fletcher holds a master’s degree in
school administration and a PhD in educational leadership. Before joining PAEA, she served as director for medical education at Wake Forest University, where she worked with the PA program conducting student admission interviews, serving as an external reviewer for an accreditation site visit, and facilitating problem-based learning for small groups.






