2026 Publishing Award Recipient Advances Clarity in Prostate Cancer Screening

Michael Gerlach Examines Guideline Alignment to Improve Patient‑Centered Care 

May 14, 2026

By Alex Morse 

Michael Gerlach, DMS, PA‑C, has built his career at the intersection of clinical care, leadership, and evidence‑based medicine, guided by a longstanding commitment to improving outcomes for patients navigating difficult health decisions.  

He is the recipient of the 2026 AAPA Publishing Award in recognition for his role as lead author of the article, “Prostate cancer screening guidelines and their alignment with recent literature,” published in the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Associates (JAAPA). 

The Publishing Award is granted to a PA who published, during the prior calendar year, a new clinical or research article expressing original and/or scientifically rigorous ideas substantiated by best practices and contributing to the advancement of the PA profession. 

“This recognition is incredibly meaningful, and I am honored that the work has been acknowledged,” said Gerlach, who has over a decade of clinical experience in men’s health and prior guideline development experience. “It provides an opportunity to bring attention to an area that can directly impact patient outcomes.”  

Gerlach’s interest in medicine developed early, shaped by personal experiences with family members facing a range of medical challenges—particularly urologic conditions. Those experiences not only influenced his path into healthcare but also inspired his desire to practice in a way that emphasizes patient education and continuity of care. 

Originally enrolled in a combined program with the option to pursue medical school, he found that the PA profession aligned more closely with the way he wanted to serve patients.  

“I valued the flexibility, team-based approach, and ability to make an immediate impact on patient care,” he said. “What has kept me in the field is the connection with patients and the ability to help them navigate complex and often sensitive health issues.” He has found urology to be a great fit for him, as it offers both longitudinal care and procedural work. 

Gerlach practices full time in urology, working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. His clinical role includes managing urologic conditions, performing procedures, assisting in surgery, and coordinating care across multiple phases of treatment. Over time, his outpatient practice has increasingly focused on men’s health, an area that directly informed his research. 

His article addresses an ongoing challenge in prostate cancer screening: the presence of multiple, sometimes conflicting guidelines that can be difficult for clinicians to interpret and apply consistently. By comparing existing screening recommendations with recent literature, Gerlach sought to identify areas of alignment, inconsistency, and opportunity for standardization. 

“Prostate cancer screening remains complex, with multiple guidelines that can be difficult to interpret and apply in practice,” he said. “My goal with this work was to help simplify that landscape and offer a clearer, evidence-based starting point for providers.” 

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Gerlach oversees scheduling, onboarding, training, and workflow optimization to support consistent, high–quality care delivery within his department. He serves in multiple leadership roles, including the Southcoast Board of Governors, holds several academic appointments, and collaborates with NCCPA on national exam development.  

Gerlach hopes the visibility of this research encourages thoughtful discussion and more informed screening practices across healthcare settings, reinforcing the vital role PAs play in advancing evidence‑based care, and overall, improving patients’ quality of life. 

“As healthcare continues to grow more complex, PAs play an essential role in improving access, maintaining quality, and supporting patients through every stage of care,” he said. 

Alex Morse is AAPA’s Communications Manager. She can be reached at [email protected].