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 commitment to the growth and protection of our profession. Her deep-rooted connection to MAPA ensures that the challenges faced by state-level leaders remain a primary focus at the national table, bridging the gap between local needs and national strategy.
Leslie’s extensive leadership and clinical background uniquely position her to represent PAs in all practice settings. Key highlights of her experience include:
- National Advocacy: Serving as Chair of the American Hospital Association’s APP Advisory Group to promote PA’s in senior health system leadership.
- Clinical and Academic Leadership: 28 years of clinical practice and a decade of experience as a PA faculty member and a doctoral instructor.
- Administrative Oversight: Current role as Program Director for Advanced Practice for a large academic health system, supporting over 1,300 PAs and APRNs.
Most notably, Leslie’s legislative acumen has been a catalyst for historic progress in Minnesota, including the removal of supervision and the passage of the PA Compact. She possesses a rare ability to defend our profession with integrity and evidence-based authority, even in high-pressure political environments. We believe her vision and strategic expertise will serve as a significant asset to the AAPA Board of Directors and we invite our members to consider her candidacy as we work together to advance the future of PA practice.