News Central

PA Kirsten Brondstater was told she would never work in medicine because of her hearing impairment. This only fueled her resolve, and she has since become a PA and earned a Doctor of Medical Science degree. Now, she advocates for appropriate accommodations and inclusivity in medical settings and beyond for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

From July 13 to August 10, the Physician Associate Foundation will be accepting applications and nominations for IMPACT Grants with Orthopaedic Focus, the Josanne Kissel Pagel PAs in Administration Award, the William H. Marquardt Community Health Access Award, and the William H. Marquardt Precepting/Mentorship Award.

Following the federal court's preliminary relief in AAPA and PAEA's legal challenge, the U.S. Department of Education has issued updated implementation guidance recognizing PA programs as professional degree programs for purposes of administering the new federal student loan limits while the Court's order remains in effect.

David J. Bunnell, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, president and chair of the American Academy of PAs, shares more about his career and leadership journey. To his role as president, he brings experience in clinical practice, education, research, and professional leadership.

The AAPA Board of Directors began its 2026-27 leadership year on July 1. The board will be led by President and Chair David J. Bunnell, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, a dedicated leader with more than 20 years of clinical experience in high-acuity specialties.  

While AAPA and PAEA forge ahead in the next chapter of this legal fight, pre-PAs and others in the PA community may have questions about what “preliminary relief” means for students this fall and the status of our case. While we don’t have all the answers at this juncture, we want to provide you with as much insight as we can. 

Today, a federal court blocked the Department of Education's rule affecting federal student loan limits for physician assistant students while the case proceeds, granting preliminary relief to AAPA and PAEA in their legal challenge.

In less than a week, Alaska took several significant steps forward in modernizing PA practice in the state through passage of SB 89, HB 110, and HB 195, marking an exciting moment for the PA profession and for Alaska’s patients.