Minnesota PAs in Print Spring 2026

Congratulations to our MAPA Members for their recent publications!

Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C  “Overview of Onychoscopy: Dermoscopy for the nail” in the Spring, 2026 issue of the Journal of Dermatology for Physician Assistants. https://journals.lww.com/jdpa/abstract/2026/02020/overview_of_onychoscopy__dermoscopy_for_the_nail.3.aspx

Meghan Flanigan, MPAS, PA-C; Laura Boldenow, MPAS, PA-C; and Joyti Murray, MPAS, PA-C, “Midday Moments – Pilot intervention of peer-led sessions to enhance hospitalist well-being” in the June issue of JAAPA: https://journals.lww.com/jaapa/abstract/2026/06000/midday_moments__pilot_intervention_of_peer_led.15.aspx

Lori McGowan, DMSc, PA-C; Danilee O’Laughlin, PA-C, MS; and Brittany Strelow, DMSc, PA-C, MS, “Needle to scalpel Navigating the path from SIRVA to surgical intervention” in the June issue of JAAPA: https://journals.lww.com/jaapa/abstract/2026/06000/needle_to_scalpel__navigating_the_path_from_sirva.12.aspx 

Meet MAPA Member of the Month, Gay Lentfer, PA-C

We’re proud to recognize Gay Lentfer, PA-C, as our MAPA Member of the Month for June! A graduate of the University of Iowa (Class of 1982), Gay has dedicated more than 40 years to family practice, spending her career in ambulatory care, most recently with North Memorial. From her early days practicing in Iowa to her move to the Twin Cities, where she initially joined Camden Physicians, Gay has continually evolved alongside the profession—including the transition to modern EMR-based care.

Throughout her remarkable career, Gay has embraced the heart of family medicine—caring for patients across generations. One of her greatest rewards has been building lasting relationships, treating patients from infancy through adulthood, and even caring for their children and grandchildren. Gay’s words of wisdom to the next generation of PAs is to “always remember the patient is the most important person in the room. Strive for excellence in thoroughness and think outside the box—things are not always as they seem.”

Since 2010, Gay has also been a valued member of the PA Advisory Council, contributing her insight and experience to support the profession. As she begins to ease into a well-earned transition—now practicing just two days a week—we celebrate not only her career, but the life she continues to enjoy outside of medicine. Gay loves world travel, cycling, and spending time with her growing family, including 8 (soon to be 10!) grandchildren—three of whom are in Japan. As she “rides off into the sunset,” we thank Gay for her decades of compassionate care, mentorship, and dedication. Your impact will be felt for generations to come!

MAPA Student Member, Denny Nguyen, Elected to AAPA Student Academy as North Central Region Director

Congratulations to MAPA Student Member, Denny Nguyen on his election to the American Academy of Physician Associates Student Academy as the North Central Region Director!

In his new role, Nguyen will be promoting leadership opportunities within the Student Academy, student member benefits, and involvement with the AAPA’s advocacy efforts. According to the AAPA, Regional Directors are also in charge of, “communicating AAPA news and information, resources, and opportunities with Student Academy Representatives (SARs) within their respective regions.”

While the added responsibilities might seem daunting to most PA-Students, Nguyen welcomes the challenge. As an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, he also served as the Internal Vice President of the Vietnamese Student Association. Through his work with the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations, he helped coordinate a conference for over 300 student leaders from 11 different states. Nguyen will bring his unique experience of connecting student- leaders from different states to his role as North Central Regional Director.

In addition to being a first-year PA Student at Bethel University, Nguyen is also one of 12 student-leaders serving on the MAPA Student Board of Directors. The Student Board of Directors attends MAPA Board Meetings and votes on policy updates (The MAPA Student Board combined makes up two votes). Student Board Members also attend Student Relations Committee meetings and are involved in coordinating a variety of PA Student initiatives such as the PA Student Summit. Nguyen said he was, “inspired by the amount of work that could be accomplished by such a small yet highly motivated yet highly caffeinated group of students and mentors.”

Nguyen has also participated in several MAPA Pre-PA events at local universities. Most notably, Nguyen is leading MAPA’s first inter-program event: a day of volunteering with the Special Olympics USA Games followed by a MAPA Student Get Together on June 20.  Based on his passion for leadership and community building, its no surprise that Nguyen is also a member MAPA’s Leadership & Development Committee.

In his role as North Central Regional director, Nguyen hopes to foster a community of welcoming and supportive student-leaders. He says he envisions, “leaders who refuse to wait. Who encourage each other and recognize that their ability to create an impact as PAs starts now; as students.”

Please join us in congratulating Denny as he takes on this well-deserved leadership role!

MAPA’s Leslie Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA to Become AAPA President-Elect in 2026

MAPA is thrilled to share that Leslie Clayton will become AAPA President-Elect starting July 1, 2026. Leslie has been a MAPA Member for almost 20 years and has served as both MAPA President and Legislative Chair.

Leslie’s long track record of leadership will serve her well in her upcoming role with the AAPA. Congratulations, Leslie!

Fall CME Presentations Preview

Congratulations to our accepted CME presenters! Check out their presentation topics and be sure to register for the Fall CME Conference on September 24 and 25 at Breezy Point Resort.

Additional presenters and topics coming soon!

Clinton Billhorn, PA-C, CAQ-HM: The Feedback Loop: Interactive Workshop on Clinical Feedback Perception Human vs AI: Trust, Tone, And Tech (Co Presenting)

Diana Soran DMSc, PA-C: The Feedback Loop: Interactive Workshop on Clinical Feedback Perception Human vs AI: Trust, Tone, And Tech (Co Presenting)

Nicole Cole, PA-C: Treatment Resistant Depression: Options When Depression Continues to Impact Daily Life

Ashleigh Cutt, PA-C: Lifestyle Medicine Jeopardy

Amanda DeVoss, MMS, PA-C: The Silent Threat: Early Diagnosis and Management of MASLD

Joel Hill, MPAS, PA-C: Bridging the Gap: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Comprehensive Immigrant Care

Kelsey Henriquez, MPAS, PA-C: How to Decide if your Patient Can Decide: A Step by Step Guide to Evaluating Medical Decision Making Capacity

Rebecca Jones, PA-C, MSPAS, CAQ-PMHC, DFAAPA: Provider Distress- How Did We Get Here and How do we Avoid it?

Lucian Panait, MD, MBA: A Primary Care Guide to Modern Hernia Management and Referral & The Scalpel vs. The Syringe: Navigating the Intersection of GLP-1s and Bariatric Surgery

Alicia Quella, PhD, PA-C: Update from NCCPA: Focus on the PANRE/PANRE-LA

Jenna Richardson, PA-C: Heme/Onc Emergencies

Matt Weiseman, PA-C: Vomit, Visit, Repeat: Understanding Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome and Breaking the Cycle

Election Results are in!

Congratulations to our election winners and good luck helping guide MAPA in the 2026-27 term year.

In addition to the candidate elections, MAPA had several proposed bylaws revisions to facilitate the work we do. All the proposed bylaws revisions were accepted. Thanks to all the MAPA members who voted.

This year’s successful candidates include the following:

• Jennie Goble, Treasurer (incumbent)

• Becky Randall, Director at Large

• Fadumo Ismail, Director at Large

Delegates to AAPA HOD

• Elizabeth Wallis
• Sarah Cornell
• Josh Loew
• Terence Panvica

Next year, we hope some of you will consider running for office yourselves so that we can continue to make MAPA strong.