Expert Insights from Program Leaders

Season 5

April 16, 2024

Season 5: Episode 86 - Graduate Studies and Rural Healthcare

In this episode, we speak with Carrie Hall, PA-C, program director for the Rocky Mountain College PA program in Billings, Montana, and Cody Halverson, admissions director at Rocky Mountain College. They share their inspiring journeys into PA educatio...

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April 2, 2024

Season 5: Episode 85 -Charting a Successful PA Course

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Gerard Marciano, Director of Physician Assistant Program at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Dr. Marciano shares his remarkable journey into the PA profession and reflects on the evolution of the field …

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March 19, 2024

Season 5: Episode 84 -Collaboration and Breaking Barriers

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Beth Buyea, clinical associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Buyea shares her personal journey into the PA profession and sheds light on the barriers and challenges f...

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March 5, 2024

Season 5: Episode 83 - Shaping Tomorrow's PAs

In this episode, we speak with Dana Villmore, PhD, PA-C, assistant clinical professor and chair of admissions for the University of New England PA Program in Portland, Maine. Explore Dr. Villmore's personal journey into the PA profession, her transit...

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Feb. 20, 2024

Season 5: Episode 82 - Empowering Communities and Elevating Healthcare

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Vanessa Bester, PA-C, PA program director at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We discuss her fascinating journey into the PA profession, fueled by a deep commitment to serving underserved communities. ...

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Feb. 6, 2024

Season 5: Episode 81 - A Journey from Clinical Science to PA Education

In this episode, we speak with Jasmina Cheeseman, PA-C, assistant professor of physician assistant studies at Franklin College in Franklin, IN. We discuss her transition from clinical laboratory science to the PA profession, advocacy, her journey int...

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Jan. 16, 2024

Season 5: Episode 80 - Insights on CASPA, Admissions, and Success

In this episode, we speak with Erika Brooks, CSPO, manager of admission services at the PA Education Association, and Olivia Ziegler, PA, chief experience officer at the PA Education Association. We discuss applicant experience and the CASPA process,...

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Dec. 19, 2023

Season 5: Episode 79 - Exploring Formal Educational Training and Empo…

In this episode, we speak with Brittany Booth, DMSc, PA-C, department head and program director for LSUHSC-New Orleans. We discuss her path to becoming a PA and her formal education training, her philosophy on teaching adult learners, preparing stude...

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Nov. 21, 2023

Season 5: Episode 77 - Community Health & Navigating the EDGE

In this episode, we speak with Lucy W. Kibe, DrPH, MS, MHS, PA-C, director of the Physician Assistant Program and associate professor at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. We discuss her path to becoming a PA, her …

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Nov. 7, 2023

Season 5: Episode 76 - Climbing Mt. Everest to a Mountain of Student…

In this episode, we speak with Vanessa Blasic, PA-C, a certified lead PA specializing in men and women’s urologic health with Elite Robotic Surgical Consultants. We discuss her journey to PA school at the University of Southern California and her …

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Sept. 19, 2023

Season 5: Episode 73 - Leadership, HIV Research and Future ID Framewo…

In this episode, speak with a national leader within the PA profession, Dr. Carl Garrubba, about his unique path to becoming a PA, his involvement and leadership in PAEA, HIV research and its impact on future infectious disease frameworks, and …

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Sept. 5, 2023

Season 5: Episode 72 - Global Health, Philanthropy and Scholarship

In this episode, speak with a long standing leader for the PA profession, Kathy Pedersen, MPAS, PA-C, about her path to becoming a PA, her leadership in global and community health, philanthropic efforts in the industry, and her prolific bibliograph...

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Aug. 8, 2023

Season 5: Episode 70 - The Present and Future of PAEA

In the season five premier, we speak to Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, about our new partnership with the organization, her career path, the growth of PAEA, and the future of the organization. .

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