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.

This article is an overview of effective patient communication, from background to benefits to strategies and pitfalls that the clinician should know.

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.

Take control of your student loans before PA school graduation with the PA Money Sense Interactive Budget Guide. Available free to AAPA members!

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents both a significant challenge for patients and an enormous opportunity for providers. Many PAs in other specialties play a role in treating their patients who have CKD. Practicing in nephrology gives clinicians a solid foundation in medicine.

PA Melissa Rodriguez says that obstetrics has been her passion since childhood and caring for women during their pregnancies is the only career she seriously considered. She believes it’s time to augment women’s healthcare and that PAs are the solution.

PA Joshua Henderson decided to combine his interest in orthopaedics with his desire to serve his country and started his career with the U.S. Public Health Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons. He serves as a clinical PA at a high-security penitentiary in Florida.

Megan Pinder, MMS, PA-C, is an advocate for psychiatric patients both personally and professionally. She responds to questions about PAs’ role in mental health, how access, socioeconomic status, and stigma impact patient mental health, and how to advocate for mental health patients.

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.