Until Next Year: AAPA 2026 Highlights
Thank you to everyone who attended AAPA 2026! See you in Phoenix!
May 29, 2026
This year in New Orleans, physician associates and PA students traveled from across the country to take part in AAPA 2026. Attendees participated in stimulating CME sessions, networking opportunities, two spectacular Main Stage events, and a culture-packed PA Night Out!
Over 200 Hours of Lectures and Hands-on Learning Opportunities
While there are plenty of fun offerings at conference, nothing compares to the knowledge that can be gained inside the convention center walls. This year, over 200 hours of CME were offered across 38 different learning tracks. These sessions provide participants with the tools and resources needed to become better providers to every one of their patients. Attendees got the chance to hear from industry leaders on an array of topics and participate in hands-on training workshops.
Two Eye-Opening Main Stage Events
During Saturday’s main stage event, From Kitchen to Clinic: A Culinary Conversation with Chef Emeril Lagasse and The Wellness Kitchenista, Chef Emeril Lagasse joined Jessica DeLuise, PA-C, for a live cooking demonstration and discussion centered on the role that nutrition and culinary education can play in supporting lifelong wellness. Alongside a youth participant from Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen program, Chef Emeril shared how hands-on experiences with cooking and fresh food can help people of all ages develop healthy habits and stronger connections to the food they eat.
Special thanks to Chef Emeril and Emeril Lagasse Foundation for sharing this meaningful conversation about the connection between food, wellness, and community health.
Founded in 2002 by Chef Emeril and Alden Lagasse, the Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities to inspire, mentor, and enable youth to reach their full potential through culinary, nutrition, and art education.
On Monday, attendees heard from nationally recognized generational researcher and bestselling author Jason Dorsey during a high-energy, data-driven session on insights into bridging generational divides.
Drawing from more than 150 original research studies and delivered with his trademark humor and fast-paced storytelling, Dorsey equipped attendees with tools to better connect with patients and their fellow clinicians. They learned how to adapt their communication styles without compromising authenticity, build rapport faster across age groups, and motivate meaningful behavior change by meeting each generation where they are.
Calling All PA Students!
During the annual National Medical Challenge Bowl, students showed off their school spirit and cheered on their classmates as they tested their medical knowledge. This year, over 80 teams from PA programs across the country came to New Orleans to compete, and Emory University students emerged victorious!
PA Night Out
In the fourth annual PA Night Out, attendees visited the iconic Mardi Gras World, a venue dedicated to showcasing the history and craftsmanship of New Orleans’ annual Mardi Gras Parades. It was a night filled with dancing, good food, and building connections—an experience many will remember for years to come!
AAPA 2027: Join us in Phoenix!
We are already counting down the days until we can be together again, and we know you are excited, too. Next year, AAPA is heading to Phoenix — and it’s time for some serious self-care at AAPA 2027. Feed your mind with CME, get inspiration at our Main Stage Events, and explore authentic experiences with colleagues on PA Adventures or at PA Night Out. Save the date: the largest national PA conference is happening May 21–25, 2027 in Phoenix, AZ.
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