PA Education Association

The 2024 Excellence Through Diversity Award winner is Kathryn Reed, MS, PA-C, vice chair for diversity, equity, inclusion and community engagement and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh PA studies hybrid program. Under Kathryn’s leadership, the program has implemented several initiatives aimed at recruiting students from diverse backgrounds. She has authored peer-reviewed articles, presented at numerous national conferences on topics related to DEI in PA education, and works diligently to advance the field while providing evidence-based strategies for championing inclusivity in PA programs. Program Director Christine Rodgers, MPAS, MPH, PA-C, says “Kathryn’s leadership and advocacy work has been instrumental in driving the PA studies hybrid program’s DEI initiatives. Her dedication to promoting a culture of inclusivity and her ability to inspire others through her leadership and advocacy make her an outstanding recipient of the Excellence Through Diversity Award.” Congratulations, Kathryn! #PAEA24

The 2024 Clinical Education Award winner is Megan Verdoni, PA-C, clinical education director of the School of PA Practice at Florida State University. She has had profound impact on the education of PA students across six campuses. Sarasota Regional Campus Dean Nicole Bentze, DO, says, “Megan is an exemplary PA, medical educator, role model, and colleague. She is an exceptional leader who is well-deserving of this recognition for her extraordinary accomplishments to the PA profession.”” While working toward her goal of a zero-failure rate for clinical year students, Megan developed a clinical development plan for those students that has shown significant improvements in End of Rotation exams and PANCE pass rates. Congratulations on this well-deserved award!

Does your program foster a culture of PA student well-being? In this #JPAE article, the author reviews published literature on medical student, resident, and PA student well-being and discusses evidence-based strategies. #PAEducation #StudentWellness https://ow.ly/zHBn50UtEPy

The 2024 Article of the Year is Accreditation in the Health Professions: Implications for Physician Assistant Education, authored by principal investigator Gerald Kayingo PhD, MBA, PA-C, and co-authored by Dr. Karen L. Gordes, Dr. Violet Kulo, and James F. Cawley. As Lucy Kibe, DrPH, MS, MHS, PA-C, program director at Charles R. Drew University, suggests, “this article has become a universal reference for PA programs in their ongoing accreditation efforts.” The paper addresses a hot topic in PA education, that the accreditation process plays a critical role in ensuring educational quality and in producing a qualified healthcare workforce. Congratulations on the PAEA Article of the Year Award!

In this episode, hosts Kevin Lohenry, PhD, PA-C, and Stephane VanderMeulen, MA, MPAS, PA-C, look back on five incredible seasons of the PA Path as they prepare to hand the mic to a new host. They reflect on the podcast’s journey, revisiting key themes like passion for the PA profession, commitment to diversity, and the importance of service, while sharing highlights from their favorite episodes. They introduce the podcast’s new host, Emma Sellers, MS, PAEA’s chief EDI officer, who will carry the conversation forward. Join us as we celebrate the past, embrace the future, and continue the journey of advancing the PA profession! Listen and subscribe: https://ow.ly/5BC850UsQXY

At this year’s Education Forum, PAEA took the opportunity to celebrate Kim Cavanagh, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, for the work she has done to advance PAEA assessment for nearly 20 years. As she stepped back from being PAEA’s Assessment Editor in Chief, the Association created this video to celebrate and thank her for her work.

PAEA is hiring a data analyst. We're looking for an expert in data – from its collection and storage, to querying and reporting, and finally the interpretation and communication of findings, with an overarching goal of achieving a better shared understanding of PAEA’s positioning to serve our members.   A fully remote opportunity to work with a wonderful team! Learn more & apply: https://ow.ly/oUIE50UprFY

This year’s Administrative Support Award winner is Heidi Kennedy, clerkship coordinator for the Des Moines University PA studies program. Program Director Holland Taylor, MSPAS, PA-C, says, “Heidi is our ‘superhero,’ possessing extraordinary skills, she has gone above and beyond to make significant contributions to the program over the past five years.” Heidi has established new and collaborative ways for the team to be more efficient and well-organized, eased the task of training new employees, and improved program-wide communication. Congratulations, Heidi!

Congratulations to the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Richard Dehn, MPA, PA-C! Rick has served at the University of California at Davis, the University of Iowa, and in his role as founding chair and program director of the department of PA studies at Northern Arizona University (NAU). He has gone above and beyond to serve at the program, local, national, and international levels, and across the “four orgs” in various leadership roles. “Richard Dehn is generous with his time and goes out of his way to support others.” Bettie Coplan, PhD, PA-C, associate professor at NAU says. “Through his kindness and encouragement, he inspires people to go after things they might otherwise lack the confidence to pursue. He is an exceptional role model and mentor. His life has been in service to the PA community.”

Check out the December 2024 issue of JPAE, now available online. #JPAE https://ow.ly/hwUU50U4rvW