PAs Go Beyond

Melanie Shojinaga was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer after her first quarter in Stanford University’s PA program. After eight months of treatment, she talks about why she chose to share her journey with humor on TikTok, how her goals as a student and a future PA have changed, and her advice for other PAs that she gained from her patient experience.

Richard Dehn, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA, is the 2024 recipient of the Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. As a primary care provider, educator, mentor, and prolific researcher, Dehn has made significant contributions to the PA profession.

Jasmin E. Charles, MPAS, PA-C , is the 2024 recipient of the PA of the Year Award. Dedicated to providing care in addiction and maternal fetal medicine, Charles is the co-founder and clinical director for the Substance Use and Pregnancy – Recovery, Addiction, and Dependence clinic in Utah.

Jade O. Norman, MHS, is the 2024 recipient of the PA Student of the Year Award. A PA student at Meharry Medical College, Norman is passionate about health equity and is Director of Community Engagement for the nation’s first medical concierge service for lower socioeconomic families

Leticia Bland, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C , is the 2024 recipient of the Military Service Award. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Bland volunteers her time to care for underserved communities. In her role as an educator, she helps her students learn to treat diverse populations.

Paola Gonzalez, MPAS, PA-C, is the 2024 recipient of the Diversity Award. A PA for more than 20 years, Gonzalez is passionate about helping communities who face diminished resources and healthcare disparities. She is the current president of PAs for Latino Health.

Hardik Thakkar, MSPAS, PA-C , is the recipient of the 2024 Preceptor of the Year Award. Thakkar manages a team of APPs at Moffitt Cancer Center, where he has precepted over 20 PA students over the last three years, and has established a program to increase preceptor participation.

Ryan D. White, PhD, PA-C , is the recipient of the 2024 Publishing Award as the author of “Examining the Influence of PA Scope of Practice Reforms and Individual Characteristics on Wages,” which investigated how the PA practice environment impacts PA compensation and was published in Medical Care Research and Review.

The 2024 Outstanding Student Society is the CUNY School of Medicine PA Program, whose members conducted outreach to high school students, hosted and attended events to celebrate diversity, and held drives for needed supplies within their community.