Facebook Linkedin Instagram
JOIN/RENEW
MEMBER DIRECTORY
MAPA LOGIN

The Latest News

Meet MAPA Member of the Month, Alex Edorh, PA-C

September 15, 2026

This month, we’re proud to recognize Alex Edorh, PA-C, a graduate of Augsburg University’s PA Program, Class of 2020. 

Since graduation, Alex has been practicing nephrology at Mayo Clinic Health System, where he is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. 

Before becoming a PA, Alex worked as a Laboratory Technologist, bringing a strong foundation in diagnostics and patient care to his clinical practice. 

Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with his family, watching soccer, biking, hiking, and exploring nature’s beauty. 

Words of Advice: “Treat each patient with respect, dignity, and love as a family member.”

Thank you, Alex, for your dedication to your patients, your profession, and the values that make PAs such an important part of healthcare. Congratulations on being our MAPA Member of the Month!

Additional Fall CME Presentations

September 10, 2026

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.

Check out the full descriptions and schedule and course descriptions on our Conference Presentation Summaries Page.

Amber Koehler, MPAS, PA-C: Leading From Where You Are: Purpose-Driven Pathways to PA Excellence

Diana Soran DMSc, PA-C: Irritable Bowel Syndrome:Confidently Diagnose and Manage IBS in the Primary Care Setting

Anna Anthony, PA-C, CAQ-PMHC: End-of-Life Care in the Hospital: Addressing What Matters at a Time of Transition

Tobias Donlon, MD: Refer or Reassure: Clearing, Catching, and Calming Fears in Pediatric Sports Clearance

Maggie Cutter, PA-C: Pediatric Neurosurgery: Clinical Pearls and When to Refer

Jennie Goble, DMSc, P.A.-C., M.S. : Don’t Miss It: Early Recognition and Diagnosis of Acute Leukemia in Clinical Practice

Mila Larkin, PA-C: Common Spine Disorders and When to Refer 

Tiffany Panait, MD: Below the Belt: A Colorectal Surgeon’s Guide to When Primary Care Should Pick Up the Phone

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!