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The Latest News

President’s Message

August 20, 2026

Six weeks into my Presidency, I am more excited than ever about what is in front of us. I am honored to be serving as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the strength of our organization, the profession we represent, the dedicated people who make MAPA what it is, and the many accomplishments we’ve achieved together over the past 50 years.

MAPA is stronger because of its students, volunteers, members, committee representatives, committee chairs and co-chairs, Board members, and our management and legislative teams. Thank you for the time, energy, and passion you invest in our organization.

As we look ahead to the next 50 years, I hope you’ll continue showing up for yourselves, for one another, for the PA profession, and for MAPA by staying engaged in the following ways:

  1. Support our students by serving as a preceptor or mentor and participating in the Student Summit.
  2. Engage on social media by liking, sharing, and reposting MAPA content. Your engagement helps expand our reach, strengthen our community, grow membership, and increase attendance at our events.
  3. Participate in our CME Conference by attending, presenting, and encouraging colleagues to join. Our annual conference brings us together, strengthens our profession, and reinforces the value of MAPA.
  4. Support scholarships and awards so we can continue recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our members.
  5. Advocate for our profession by attending PA Day on the Hill, connecting with your legislators, and staying informed about legislative issues at the state and national levels.
  6. Invest in leadership and professional development as we continue creating innovative opportunities for Minnesota PAs to grow, lead, and become involved.
  7. Strengthen our membership by renewing your membership and encouraging colleagues to join MAPA. A strong membership amplifies our voice and strengthens our advocacy through AAPA.
  8. Support our DEI initiatives as we work to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive organization for all.

As we had towards the fall and our annual CME Conference in Breezy Point, I want to sincerely thank each of you for your commitment to MAPA. I hope you’ll join us for this incredible celebration of 50 years of MAPA. Regardless, it is an honor to serve this organization, and I am proud to work alongside such dedicated leaders. Together, we will continue building on the strong foundation established over the past 50 years.

Thank you for all you do, and stay tuned for updates on upcoming check-ins, Board meetings, and events. I look forward to working with you throughout the year.

Thanks, Danielle O’Laughlin

Apply Now: Minnesota DHS Seeks Members for the Medicaid Advisory Committee

August 12, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is now accepting applications to join the Medicaid Advisory Committee, known as the MAC. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of Medical Assistance, Minnesota’s Medicaid program, by sharing your knowledge and experience directly with the state.

What Is the MAC?

The MAC brings together people who work with, support, or advocate for individuals who use Medical Assistance. DHS is looking for providers, advocates, county staff, community organizations, health plans, Tribal partners, and others who care about improving health care access and services across the state.

As a member, you would share your perspective on:

  • What is working well
  • Challenges and barriers people face
  • How services can be improved
  • Ways Medical Assistance can better meet the needs of people across Minnesota

How the MAC Connects to the BAC

The MAC works alongside the Beneficiary Advisory Council, or BAC. The BAC is made up of people who currently have Medical Assistance, had it in the past, or help care for someone who does. Together, the MAC and BAC give DHS a fuller picture, combining insight from people who use Medical Assistance with insight from those who work alongside them.

Who Should Apply

DHS encourages applications from people who work with and serve communities across the state, including people of different cultures, languages, ages, abilities, and backgrounds. If your work touches Medical Assistance in any way, your voice belongs in this conversation.

How to Apply

If you have insight into how Medical Assistance is working, or not working, for the people you serve, DHS wants to hear from you.

Minnesota PAs in Print Spring/Summer 2026

June 15, 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

June 15, 2026

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

June 9, 2026

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!