Reconnect, Recharge, and Make an Impact with Suneel Gupta

AAPA’s second Main Stage Event helps attendees reconnect with their “why”

May 19, 2025

To open AAPA 2025’s second main stage event, AAPA President Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA, took the stage, reflected on his year as president, and officially passed the gavel to President-elect Todd Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO.

“Advocacy comes in many forms. Sometimes it looks like testifying at a hearing. Sometimes it’s mentoring a student. Sometimes it’s just showing up and being the best PA you can be,” Prevelige said. “No matter what, your voice matters and it is powerful.”

Pickard then took the podium and welcomed the recipients of the 2025 AAPA Awards to the stage. This year’s selection includes a diverse group of talented and inspiring individuals from across the country. Learn more about each of these incredible awardees on the 2025 AAPA Award Recipients page.

In a special recognition, Jeff Katz, President of the Physician Associate Foundation (PAF) Board of Trustees, shared the outstanding contributions made by PA Bill Marquardt. A steadfast supporter of PAF since 1997, Marquardt is the largest individual donor in the Foundation’s history.

“PA Marquardt’s investment in the next generation of healthcare providers ensures that his vision will carry forward, improving the health of communities for years to come,” said Jeffrey Katz, PA-C, DFAAPA, President of the Physician Associate Foundation Board of Trustees.

Recently, Marquardt announced an expansion of his endowment, allowing for additional scholarships and fellowships, along with a new award specifically for PA preceptors.

[Read more about PA Marquardt’s impact on AAPA’s News Central.]

And for the main event, attendees reconnected with their “why,” renewed their energy, and strengthened their ability to lead with compassion and resilience with bestselling author, healthcare entrepreneur, and Harvard Medical School instructor Suneel Gupta.

Momentum in Medicine: Reconnect, Recharge, and Make an Impact
PAs are essential leaders in healthcare, improving patient outcomes, driving innovation, and strengthening care teams. But in the face of growing demands, it’s easy to lose sight of the passion that first inspired them.

“It’s important to remind ourselves why we’re doing what we’re doing,” Gupta said, “because when we have that reminder, our work turns from stress to passion.”

Gupta shared insights paired with practical strategies to help attendees stay grounded in what matters most — their patients. Gupta unpacked how through small, intentional actions, attendees can keep their passion for care front and center, build resilience, and create meaningful impact in their practice and beyond.

Not resting until everything is done, Gupta said, isn’t necessarily the best approach. “That sounds noble. That sounds like the attitude of a high performer. But that’s very out of touch with the science of human performance,” Gupta said. “What the science tells us is that rest is not a reward — it is a resource. It’s not a reward for what you have done. It’s a resource for what you are about to do.”

For anyone unable to join today’s session, keep an eye out for the recording on AAPA’s CME Central.

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