May MAPA Member of the Month
This May, MAPA is proud to recognize Slava White, PA-C for her decades of dedication to patients and her community. A graduate of Wichita State University (1991), Slava has spent her entire career practicing rural family medicine, bringing compassionate, patient-centered care to generations of families. For 35 years, she has had the unique privilege of […]
MAPA Members Make their Mark at 2026 AAPA Conference in New Orleans
Still recovering from from a whirlwind conference in the Big Easy? Us too. But it wasn’t all hurricane drinks and biegnets in the French Quarter. MAPA showed up and represented Minnesota with pride at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) National Conference. Connections Made at MAPA Meet-Up Over 50 PAs and PA students joined […]
MAPA DEI Committee Inspires Next Generation of PAs through Partnership with the Girl Scouts of the River Valleys
On May 16, the MAPA DEI Committee and Girl Scouts of the River Valleys hosted their Learn First Aid with MAPA event in Rochester, Minnesota. Girls in grades 2 – 12 learned about first aid, wilderness safety, and the PA profession. MAPA’s DEI Committee Co-Chair, Jaci Tourtellott, PA-C, spearheaded the event. Tourtellott said that event […]
State of MAPA 2026
On May 12, MAPA President, Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C, delivered the State of MAPA Address. Middleton highlighted the many ways MAPA has is working to engage its 900+ members in Minnesota. From a new website, to increased email and social media communication MAPA hopes to improve communication with PAs across the state. Middleton expressed his […]
Submit your Nominee for MAPA Awards
MAPA is proud to celebrate the impact and dedication of Minnesota PAs through our Annual Awards Program! Please take time to nominate the outstanding PA colleagues we have here in Minnesota. Who Can Submit a Nomination? Nominations are accepted from any professional colleague (Pre-PA students, current PA students, practicing PA, NP, PT, OT, MD, DO, […]
Three Ways PAs Treat Mental Health & Improve Access to Care in Minnesota
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), 23.4% of adults in the U.S. experienced mental illness in 2024, or about 1 in 5 adults. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reduce stigma and check in with our friends and loved ones who may be struggling. It’s also an important time […]
The Department of Education Issues Final Rule Excluding PA Programs from Professional Degree Status
On April 30, the U.S. Department of Education issued a final rule that excludes PA programs from the definition of “professional degrees”. As a result, PA students will be limited to $20,500 in federal student loans per year. If PA programs were included in the professional degree category, students could borrow up to $50,000 annually […]
MAPA Leadership & Development Committee Hosts Discussion with AAPA President – Elect
The Leadership and Development Committee was honored to welcome AAPA President-Elect, Dr. David Bunnell, to their meeting on April 27. In addition to serving as the President-Elect of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), Dr. Bunnell is a PhD trained PA and an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Medical Science program at the […]
MAPA Endorses Paola Gonzalez for AAPA Director at Large
About Paola Gonzalez, MPAS, PA-C: Why I am running for office: With more than 20 years of clinical experience, I’ve dedicated my career to advancing the PA profession while advocating for the patients we serve. Over the past two years as AAPA Director at Large, I’ve worked to turn advocacy into action, opening national doors […]
MAPA Endorses Leslie Clayton for AAPA President
About Leslie Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA: The Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA) is proud to offer our formal endorsement of Leslie Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA for the position of AAPA President-Elect. Having served our state chapter for nearly 20 years in roles ranging from President to Legislative Chair, Leslie has consistently demonstrated a profound […]