AAPA 2023 Proved Our Best Conference Yet! Ready for AAPA 2024?

Thank you to everyone who attended AAPA 2023! Until next year!

May 31, 2023

AAPA 2023 was a resounding success! With over 7,000 PAs and PA students from across the country in attendance, connections were made, friendships were formed, and new skills were learned. Over the course of the week, attendees participated in more than 80 networking opportunities, including the first-ever PA night out, and took part in more than 230 CME sessions, including 25 unique sessions dedicated to promoting health equity. PAs engaged in conversations on some of the most pressing issues facing the PA profession during the two Main Stage events. The sessions examined how innovation and advances in technology can lead to better patient experiences and outcomes, and explored the critical brain-to-body relationship and its role in promoting overall health and wellness. During the conference, findings from the new AAPA-Harris Poll survey were unveiled, showcasing the patient experience and emphasizing the value of PAs in the healthcare system. Among the top findings: an overwhelming 93% of U.S. adults agree PAs add value to healthcare teams, and another 91% believe PAs are part of the solution to addressing the shortage of healthcare providers.

Over 230 Lectures and Hands-on Learning Opportunities
Over five days, the PA community had the chance to share knowledge and experience and learn new skills. A wide range of topics were covered, including leadership, primary medicine, addiction care, and so much more.

Main Stage Events: Exploring Emerging Trends
During AAPA 2023, two riveting Main Stage Events explored emerging trends that will impact the healthcare system and PA practice.

During Saturday’s main stage event, The Future of Healthcare: How Trends in Research, Technology, and Research are Redefining the Patient Experience, attendees heard from three impressive thought leaders on how the healthcare landscape will evolve in the years ahead. Through their unique prisms, Saturday’s speakers — John Gerzma, CEO of the Harris Poll; Jamie Metzel, a leading technology and healthcare futurist and World Health Organization advisor; and Gitanjali Rao, a young inventor, changemaker, author, and STEM promoter — delivered TED Talk-style addresses about this unique and transformative moment in healthcare.

On Sunday, President Jennifer Orozco, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA moderated a panel of esteemed experts – Dr. Dexter Shurney, a board-certified physician in both preventative medicine and lifestyle medicine, and “The Brain Docs,” Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, wife-and-husband neurologists, scientists, and bestselling authors – as they explored the profound connection between the brain and the body.

PA Students Go Head-to-Head
During the annual National Medical Challenge Bowel, a game show designed specifically for PAs, students strutted their school spirit and cheered on their classmates as they tested their medical knowledge. This year, a record number of 89 teams from PA schools across the country came to Nashville to compete, and Bridgeport University PA Program emerged victorious!

Party Like There’s No Tomorrow
During AAPA’s first-ever PAs Night Out, attendees let loose and partied at some of Nashville’s most popular bars on Broadway. With live music and tasty drinks, memories were created on and off the dance floor!

Friendships Forged in Chocolate and Gaming
With over 80 networking opportunities, from “Make Your Own Goo Goo,” where participants made delicious treats at the famous Goo Goo Chocolate Company, to “Headquarters Beercade,” where PAs spent the night playing 30+ vintage arcade games and pinball machines while enjoying a drink, attendees made connections that will last throughout their careers.

Enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
AAPA is committed to enhancing the diversity of the PA profession, fostering a staff culture committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and addressing health inequities amongst patients. For the second year in a row, AAPA’s DEI networking session, sponsored by DEI Gold Partner Vituity, returned to provide a space for colleagues from across the country to connect and discuss ways to address health inequities within our healthcare system. Through AAPA’s partnership with Vituity, we continue to offer educational webinars focused on DEI leadership and developing the next generation of DEI leaders.

Building on the relaunch of Project Access, a program designed for minority students to learn about the PA profession and create early pipelines for students interested in PA school, during AAPA 2023, the African Heritage PA Caucus hosted two Project Access events at local Nashville schools. AAPA consciously increased DEI and health equity-specific offerings. Throughout the week, 25 unique sessions were offered as part of the diversity track.

AAPA 2024: Houston Here We Come!
After the success of AAPA 2023, we cannot wait until AAPA 2024 in Houston! Houston is home to the largest medical district in the country and is not only the most diverse large city, but it is also the fourth largest city in the U.S. Join us from May 18 – 22, for another amazing conference. You won’t want to miss it!

Proposals are already being accepted for CME presenters! Presentations can be interactive case studies, lectures, or workshops. Learn more and apply by July 31.

Thank you for joining us for AAPA 2023! We hope you are as excited as we are for next year and can’t wait to see you in Houston!

You May Also Like
AAPA 2023 Highlights: Challenge Bowl and PAs Night Out
AAPA 2023 Highlights: Brain Health and Overall Wellness
AAPA 2023 Highlights: Research, Technology, and Innovation Redefining the Patient Experience

Thank you for reading AAPA’s News Central

You have 2 articles left this month. Create a free account to read more stories, or become a member for more access to exclusive benefits! Already have an account? Log in.