Maryland’s PA community celebrated growth and unity with the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants conference, PA week events, awards, and collaboration on the PA Modernization Act.
What an incredible time for physician assistants (PAs)!
In collaboration with our local and national PA partners, the PA Leadership and Learning Academy (PALLA) organized several events that highlighted the PA community's cohesion and progress.
The last weekend of September, PAs convened in Cambridge, Md., for the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants (MdAPA) annual conference, which included four days of enlightening presentations, networking, and even a student challenge bowl. During the conference, the inaugural James F. Cawley Award was presented to Jennifer Grover, DHSc, MMs, PA-C. The MdAPA conference was just the beginning!
During PA week, the PAEA Education Forum took place in Washington, D.C. The PALLA team was well represented with a presentation about the five-year faculty fellowship outcomes, a poster about the preceptor fellowship, and two awards: Gerald Kayingo, PhD, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA, was recognized with the Article of the Year Award and Shani Fleming, PhD, MS, MPH, PA-C, was awarded the Research Achievement Award.
To cap off the week, PALLA and MdAPA collaborated to host a celebratory event that showcased some of the accomplishments of the Maryland PA community over the past year. Maryland state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Kenneth Kerr were in attendance to detail the genesis and passage of the Maryland PA Modernization Act and what it means for their constituents. Students also shared their perspectives on the event's theme, Maximizing Healthcare Teams in Maryland. The event concluded with the MdAPA annual awards presentation, which celebrated the diverse ways that PAs contribute to excellence across the state. Thanks to all who participated in this fantastic series of events. We can't wait to see you next year.