The rheumatology specialty faces personnel shortages that may worsen as the population ages while rheumatologists retire. That’s why AAPA is offering new Rheumatic Learning curriculum which delivers a patient-case based simulated experience.

Joel Ciolek, MSPA, PA-C, is one of 80 PAs practicing in ophthalmology. He enjoys looking into someone’s eyes for a living and preserving and restoring vision. He describes a typical day doing comprehensive, medical retina, and vitreoretinal surgery.

When Diana Anderson, PA-C, graduated from her PA program, she landed an exciting job in urgent care. But her first months of practice were filled with unexpected events. She candidly shares the ups and downs of her first year as a PA.

As the COVID-19 surge began in the U.S., Alyssa Zantello, PA-C, who practices orthopaedics in Michigan, found she couldn’t sit at home and do nothing. Forty eight hours after a conversation with her mentor, she was on a plane to New York City.

Pediatric Surgery Community Fellow at Texas Children’s Hospital, Devon Gersh, PA-C, describes a day in her life during the rigorous 12-month program at Texas Children’s community hospital in The Woodlands. Fellows get the opportunity to rotate through multiple subspecialties of surgery.

Young-Bin Song, MCHS, PA-C, describes his practice at a multi-disciplinary neuro-oncology/radiation oncology brain tumor clinic at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Communicating with the patient population, he relates, requires preparation, practice, and patience.

Almas Abbas, PA-C, grew up playing sports – and getting injured. Her on-field experiences inspired an early interest in how the body works and how best to treat herself, and eventually led to a career as a PA in orthopaedics.

No matter your career stage, networking plays a vital role in landing the position that’s right for you. Join AAPA to access a network that’s 60,000 PAs strong and use these eight tips to help you polish your networking skills.

Erin Stutz, PA-C, started her career in hospital medicine and currently works in critical care in upstate New York. With her experience in both specialties, Stutz shares her top four tips for any PA who is caring for a critically ill patient.

Josanne Pagel, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, AAPA past president, recently shared her thoughts about her career journey with AAPA’s Andrea Lowe, MHA, PA-C. Pagel reflects on everything from her days in the Peace Corps to her current role at the Cleveland Clinic.

The job search is an exciting process that can yield great insights into your PA career priorities and goals. While challenging at times, here are some suggestions for making your next job search effective, rewarding, and enjoyable.

Ever wonder what a PA who specializes in cardiac electrophysiology does? David J. Bunnell, MSHS, PA-C, Lead Medical Center PA at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center tells us about his current role and why he changed specialties mid-career.