From AAPA’s Leaders
Hear directly from the president and chair of AAPA’s Board of Directors, the organization’s chief executive officer, and your fellow PAs who volunteer their time and expertise in support of the profession. Be inspired by the ways in which they give back to their communities and their patients and work to raise awareness of PAs, and stay up to date on AAPA’s short- and long-term initiatives and business goals.
Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA
President and Chair, Board of Directors
From Our President
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January
2025 -
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Exciting News to Kick Off 2025
AAPA President Jason Prevelige kicks off 2025 by sharing exciting news about the PA profession and what PAs can looks forward to in the months ahead.
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December
2024 -
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Another Fantastic Year for PAs
As 2024 comes to a close, AAPA President Jason Prevelige reflects on the progress PAs have made this year, and the successes that are yet to come in the new year!
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November
2024 -
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Thankful for PAs
As Thanksgiving approaches, AAPA President Jason Prevelige shares his gratitude to PAs and the work they have accomplished around the country and world.
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October
2024 -
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Are You Ready for PA Week?
AAPA President Jason Prevelige spotlights the numerous ways PAs can participate during National PA Week. He also highlights the year’s victories and opportunities for PAs to demonstrate how PAs Go Beyond, to show patients, fellow providers, and lawmakers the impact PAs make every day.
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September
2024 -
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The AMA Has Responded to Letters from AAPA
In the interest of full transparency, AAPA President Jason Prevelige and CEO Lisa Gables have shared the response AAPA received from the AMA, regarding AAPA’s pushback to the AMA’s campaign targeting PAs.
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August
2024 -
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Three Ways to Stand Up to the AMA
AAPA is building a movement to put an end to baseless attacks against the PA profession. Following a letter to the AMA, AAPA President Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA encourages all PAs to join AAPA and confront AMA’s unjust and harmful attacks on PAs and other healthcare providers.
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July
2024 -
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Building a Better Future Through Leadership and Advocacy
In his first month in office, AAPA President Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA shares his PA story, leadership philosophy, and vision for the PA profession.
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Lisa M. Gables, CPA
Chief Executive Officer
From Our CEO
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September
2024 -
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The AMA Has Responded to Letters from AAPA
In the interest of full transparency, AAPA President Jason Prevelige and CEO Lisa Gables have shared the response AAPA received from the AMA, regarding AAPA’s pushback to the AMA’s campaign targeting PAs.
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December
2023 -
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The Latest on PA Brand and Title Change
Since the AAPA House of Delegates passed a resolution affirming “physician associate” as the official title of the PA profession in 2021, AAPA has made progress in building public awareness of this new title while simultaneously elevating the PA brand.
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August
2023 -
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Oregon clinic in Sherman County tests tool kit to help patients with cognitive decline
AAPA CEO Lisa Gables joined Erin Haines, a PA at the Sherman County Medical Clinic, on OPB’s Think Out Loud to discuss the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC) toolkit and pilot program.
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June
2023 -
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Raising the Voices of Patients Through Public Opinion Research
AAPA CEO Lisa Gables reflects on AAPA’s commitment to enhancing patient health and empowering PAs to help address modern healthcare challenges.
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May
2023 -
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Workforce Shortages Demand Collaborative, Cross-Sector Solutions
AAPA CEO Lisa Gables speaks on the shortage of direct care and healthcare workers and the growing population of older adults who rely upon them for medical care, community services and support.
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May
2023 -
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Tennessee Patients Weigh in on the Current State of Healthcare
The Harris Poll findings illuminate challenges patients face every day to take care of themselves and their loved ones. The alarming poll results signal a need for immediate action to shore up the healthcare workforce and increase access to care for patients.
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April
2023 -
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Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Learning Lab
During this DAC Learning Laboratory, AAPA CEO Lisa Gables spoke about the importance of partnership and collaboration in developing sustainable and scalable programs for Alzheimer’s early detection.
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April
2023 -
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AAPA Joins United Front on Value-Based Medicare Reimbursement Proposal for Primary Care
AAPA’s CEO Lisa Gables stresses the need to change the structure of the healthcare delivery system by strengthening the primary care workforce to provide preventive care, chronic disease management, and help address skyrocketing mental health and substance use problems.
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February
2023 -
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Letter to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
AAPA CEO Lisa Gables provides comments on the proposed rulemaking on medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder and how AAPA is committed to working with federal agencies to advance our shared mission of improving access to high-quality healthcare and ending the opioid epidemic.
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December
2022 -
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Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
AAPA CEO Lisa Gables reflects on the inclusivity, tolerance, and kindness engrained in the PA profession and shares an update on AAPA’s DEI initiatives.
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September
2022 -
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World Alzheimer’s Day: What to know about Alzheimer’s screenings
AAPA CEO Lisa Gables joins reporters on FOX 5 to share the importance of screening for Alzheimer’s and a special grant that is paving the way for treatment.
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September
2022 -
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Alzheimer’s is expected to affect 150 million families worldwide by 2050
ABC’s Good Morning Washington welcomes AAPA CEO Lisa Gables to discuss how Alzheimer’s affects the healthcare workforce of today and the future.
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July
2022 -
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CEO Lisa Gables Shares Her Perspective on AAPA Five-Year Strategic Pillars
Meet AAPA’s CEO Lisa Gables and learn her perspective on AAPA’s five-year strategic pillars: Partnering With Purpose, Advancing the Core, and Building a Movement.
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June
2021 -
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Q&A: AAPA seeks ‘physician associate’ title change despite opposition from AMA
After members of AAPA’s House of Delegates passed a resolution to change the title of physician assistants to “physician associates,” CEO Lisa Gables spoke with Healio Primary Care to explain the reasons behind the title change, how it will be implemented and more.
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November
2020 -
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AAPA Response to AMA’s #StopScopeCreep Campaign
In a letter to the American Medical Association (AMA), AAPA CEO Lisa Gable and President Beth Smolko ask that AMA cease advancing the false and offensive narrative in the #StopScopeCreep campaign, which suggests PA care is not safe and jeopardizes patient safety.
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March
2020 -
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To fight coronavirus, let physician assistants order home health services
CEO Lisa Gables discusses how PAs play a significant part of the on-the-ground efforts to diagnose and treat COVID-19, and what legislative action can be taken to allow PAs to practice to the fullest extent of their training and abilities to improve access and affordability of care to patients.
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Our Volunteer Leaders
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September
2022 -
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PA Ben Reynolds Represents PAs at the Leadership Table
Ben Reynolds, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, believes participation is the lifeblood of a community. But he’s more than a participant; he’s a leader, always looking for ways to improve others’ lives – whether PAs, patients, or fellow community members.
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August
2022 -
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AAPA Past President Josanne Pagel Urges PAs to ‘Just Say Yes’
Josanne Pagel, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, reflects on her more than 20 years of dedicated volunteer service to AAPA at the state and national level. The best way to strengthen the profession, she advises, is to mentor future PAs to take up the mantle.
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PAs Go Beyond News

Shaping Future Leaders: PA Rashadah Jordan’s Impact Through PAthways Mentorship Program
Rashadah Jordan, PA-C, DMS-C, PSY-CAQ, has mentored prospective PA students since 2019 and knows the value of having someone that can offer encouragement and understands the process. Jordan is currently mentoring two students in AAPA’s PAthways program, including recent graduate Tamera Robinson.
February 10, 2025

PA Lili Barajas and Her Commitment to Health Equity and Representation in Medicine
In the aftermath of the tragic Los Angeles wildfires, volunteers like PA Lili Barajas jumped into action to aid in relief efforts. Barajas is no stranger to giving back and is dedicated to serving underserved communities and increasing representation in healthcare.
February 7, 2025

PA in Rural Kentucky Promotes the Profession Both Locally and Internationally
Onieta Stewart, DMSc, PA-C, is a critical care physician associate at UK St. Claire, a hospital that serves an expansive, rural area in eastern Kentucky. In addition to her work as the assistant director of the hospital’s residency program as well as a volunteer faculty for the University of Kentucky PA program, Stewart also visits other countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, to educate medical professionals on evolving roles of PAs.
January 27, 2025

PA Bob Thomann Launched “BrightBot” to Help Prevent the Spread of Infections
During the COVID-19 pandemic, physician associate and engineer Bob Thomann set out to find a better way to sanitize medical equipment and hospital rooms. With innovation and patients in mind, he designed “BrightBots,” affordable and easy-to-use portable UVC lights that will kill germs and bacteria in a matter of minutes. His clients include hospitals, nursing homes, and dental offices.
January 24, 2025

Major Makeda Tiye Young, an Integral Leader During Hurricane Helene
A few months after graduating from her PA program, National Guardsman Makeda Tiye Young, PA-C, was assigned to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts for the Western Branch in North Carolina. The experience inspired her to take on similar leadership roles, both as an officer and a physician associate.
January 15, 2025

Michigan PA Helps Brighten the Holidays for Local Foster Children
PA and preceptor Kara Szczomak gives back in both her personal and professional life. Each year, she and her family have a tradition of “adopting” two foster children and donating presents and essentials to give them a special holiday season.
December 19, 2024

Nonprofit Director and Future PA Delivers Critical Care During Natural Disaster
PA student Youssef Motii led a fleet of mobile vehicles across Florida in response to the compounding devastation produced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With his team at Oceana Community Health, he was able to provide care and resources to hundreds of residents affected by these catastrophic storms.
December 12, 2024

Grantee Spotlight: Fighting Diabetes with Healthy Lungs and Feet
With funding from the PA Foundation’s Robert K. Pedersen Global Outreach Grant Program, Carroll University’s Waukesha Free Clinic opened their doors to administer vaccines and provide diabetic foot exams and foot care education for diabetic patients in Wisconsin.
November 22, 2024

PA Student and Veteran Austin Shinaberry is Passionate About Helping Other Veterans Access Their Healthcare Benefits
In 2020, Austin Shinaberry met another veteran who introduced him to the health, disability, and education benefits that are available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Now, Shinaberry uses his experience with the VA system and his medical knowledge to help other veterans access the benefits they have earned through their service.
November 8, 2024

PA Lavette Shirley Elee Co-Founded a Women’s Health Nonprofit to Provide Vital Education to Underserved Populations
Lavette Shirley Elee is raising awareness about breast cancer and other women’s health topics through the Women’s Health and Resilience Foundation, an organization she founded with her two best friends to fill gaps in health literacy and improve patient outcomes, primarily for underserved populations.
October 24, 2024