In an AAPA Huddle Ask Me session, two experts with years of experience in family medicine answered questions on increasing the number of PAs in the field, the benefits of getting involved in the community, and how to negotiate for better conditions for PAs and their patients.

Owning a practice or other healthcare business is complex and can present special challenges for PAs. The following information can help you decide whether practice partnership or ownership is right for you.

As a PA practicing in rheumatology, Lindsay Tom, PA-C, treats a wide variety of rheumatology conditions. In this specialty, she helps return quality of life for patients in pain – and her clinical work includes radiology, procedures, and assisting in the infusion suite.

AAPA’s latest Huddle “Ask Me” session called on four experts to answer questions about starting a career in orthopaedic surgery, practicing in various subspecialties, and which resources will best prepare PAs for success in this popular surgical specialty.

Career disappointments and setbacks are parts of the professional journey that will happen to almost every PA at some point—and they can feel devastating. In this article I’d like to explore some ideas and approaches for responding to career setbacks so that you not only rebound but return to your practice with greater zest and confidence.

In Huddle’s latest Ask Me session, PAs in dermatology Amber Blair, MMS, PA-C, and Kristin Rygg, MPAS, PA-C, fielded questions from students and practicing PAs looking to enter the dermatology specialty.

LCDR Stephanie Hoover, PA-C, MPAS, has made her career in her hometown of Loretto, Pennsylvania, where she attended a PA program, landed her first Federal Bureau of Prisons job, and currently serves as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service at a Federal Correctional Institution.

As a PA practicing in medical genetics, Wesley Patterson, PhD(c), MSPA, PA-C, evaluates and treats patients with suspected or known genetic disorders. His current dissertation work focuses on genetics and genomic education for PAs, mirroring his passion to advocate for the importance of further incorporating genetics into the PA profession.

Sara M. Wilchowski, MS, PA-C, never has a typical day practicing in dermatology. She enjoys the variety of her specialty, from conducting full-body cancer exams to navigating tough conversations with patients and their families in order to communicate treatment options.

PA Verdale Benson knows that PA career flexibility is both a blessing a burden. His advice to new grads who are trying to choose a specialty: pursue your passion and maximize your career-growth potential.