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 serving the same community, building lasting relationships grounded in trust, respect, and continuity of care.
Slava approaches medicine with a simple but powerful philosophy: we are all doing our best every day. She believes every patient deserves to be heard and respected, and she prioritizes listening to their stories, concerns, and fears. This commitment has made her not only a provider, but a trusted partner in her patients’ lives.
Outside of work, Slava embraces the outdoors through hiking, running, and gardening. She’s an avid reader across genres and loves traveling to explore the beauty of our country and the world. As she begins to wind down her remarkable career, she is looking forward to her newest and most cherished role, being a grandparent.
Thank you, Slava, for your years of service, compassion, and the lasting impact you’ve made on your patients and the PA profession.
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.
Minnesota PAs who are a part of the 2026 House of Delegates
Connections Made at MAPA Meet-Up
Over 50 PAs and PA students joined us for the MAPA Meet-Up on May 17. We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces and newcomers from Minnesota. The welcoming event featured good food provided by MAPA, a cash bar, and plenty of opportunity for connecting with colleagues old and new.
A fantastic turnout for our MAPA Meet-Up
Mayo PA Program’s Quiz Bowl Team is Among the Top 6 in the Nation
We were proud to cheer on our Student MAPA Members from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences PA Program as their Quiz Bowl Team advanced all the way to the semifinals! Top 6 in the nation is pretty impressive! Congratulations to Team Mayo: Nina Langley, Megan Drayna, Clair Cardinal.
Eleven MAPA Members Presented at AAPA
From tapering patients off of steroid medication, to laboratory medicine, and even preventing early-career burnout, our MAPA PAs presented on a wide variety of topics at this year’s AAPA Conference. We are proud of the way they represented Minnesota while sharing their expertise.
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 organizers wanted to, “provide a fun and safe space for young girls and women to gain practical first aid and wilderness safety skills that meet the qualifications for the Girl Scout badge requirements.”
To achieve this goal, the Girl Scouts built their own first aid kit and participated in roll-playing drills where they practiced bandaging, splinting, and using a make-shift stretcher. They also learned how to recognize different types of emergencies and call 911. Lastly, they reviewed responses to allergies, nosebleeds, minor cuts & injuries, dehydration, hypothermia/frostbite, sun protection.
The session ended with the opportunity for the girl scouts to “interview a professional.” This session was Tourtellot’s favorite part. “Both groups were very interested in PAs and healthcare. They asked great questions,” Tourtellott explained. A central goal of the event was to increase awareness amongst young women and girls on the PA profession. “To see and feel that excitement from potential future colleagues and health care team members is invigorating,” Tourtellott said.
Connecting Across State Lines to Support The Next Generation of PAs
The New York Society of PAs (NYSSPA) held a similar collaboration with the Girl Scouts that inspired MAPA’s First Aid event. NYSSPA member, Deepthi Krishna, designed their event with the goal of engaging girls from diverse backgrounds. In addition to earning their first aid badge, Krishna wanted girl scouts to have the opportunity to learn about the PA profession.
After learning of this program in New York, MAPA Member, Brittany Strelow, PA-C, proposed a similar program for MAPA’s DEI Committee. Strelow connected with Krishna, who shared grant information and event materials from the NYSSPA event. Thanks to this connection, MAPA secured a PAs STEP Up Grant for $2,500 from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to fund the event.
MAPA Members Amanda Gallagher and Maria Brand.
Additionally, the volunteer support from the MAPA community and the Girl Scouts of the River Valleys staff was instrumental to the event’s success. “We had a phenomenal amount of volunteers sign up,” Tourtellott said. Tourtellott was grateful for the “energy, knowledge, and care” that PAs and PA students brought to the event. “I think the participants felt that and matched it. The participants were very engaged and willing to learn, ask questions, and discuss topics,” she said.
Taking Home More than just a Badge
At the end of the event, each Girl Scout took home their First Aid Badge and a Future PA patch. Tourtellott hopes participants took away even more. “I hope they will recognize “PA” or “physician associate” when they seek medical care and also keep it in mind as they begin to explore career options,” she said. Above all else, Tourtellott said she hopes the girls remember a special day, “where they learned a few first aid things, had new experiences, and most of all had fun!”
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 gratitude for the commitment of MAPA’s committee members saying, “you’ll notice by the end of this speech, I’m going to have to take a breath because our committees have done so much great work over the last year!”
A few highlights from each committee are listed below:
Awards Committee
Expanded scholarship opportunities by offering Executive Leadership Conference scholarships to one board member and one non-board member
Recognized 2025 MAPA Award winners
Bylaws Committee
Continued review of the organizational policies to reduce redundancies and clarify language
Provided updates to the bylaws to be voted on in this year’s MAPA election
CME Committee
The 2025 Fall CME even offered two in-depth pathways; one for inpatient medicine and the other for outpatient medicine
Began planning for the 2026 Fall CME Conference at Breezy Point. Be sure to register for an event packed with learning, networking opportunities, and plenty of boating on Pelican Lake
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
Secured the NCCPA Step-Up Grant which funded a First Aid Training event with Girl Scouts of the River Valleys
Continued outreach events to The Boys & Girls Club as well as Augsburg and St. Kate’s PA Programs
Leadership & Development Committee
Revitalized the committee’s goals to include leadership programming
Committee meetings now feature discussions with local and national PA leaders
Continued supporting MAPA Elections. Be sure to vote in the 2026 election by May 14th.
Legislative Committee
Continued to advocate with Minnesota State Legislatures for PA title change to “Physician Associate”
Began working with new lobbyists and hosted a successful Day on the Hill at the beginning of the legislative session
Scholarship Committee
Awarded two $1,000 during the spring Student Summit.
Continuing to look for innovative ways to fundraise for future scholarship opportunities for students
Social Media & Marketing
Elevated MAPA’s visibility across social media channels
Launched a quarterly podcast called PA Pulse with MAPA
Created a specific campaign celebrating MAPA’s 50th Anniversary
Student Relations Committee
Launched a new Student Summit that takes place in the spring
Hosted events such as PA 101 at the University of Minnesota and Pre-PA Coffee Hours
House of Delegates
Representing Minnesota at the AAPA Conference in New Orleans.
Their work will help shape national policy for PAs
Middleton thanked all MAPA members for their continued dedication to their patients and the PA Profession. MAPA truly is a unique community for PAs thanks to the leadership and commitment of its members.
“The future of physician associates in Minnesota is incredibly bright,” Middleton said, “and I’m super excited to see what we can accomplish over the next year.”
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, etc) as well as patients or community members.
Awards Timeline
Submit a nominations from May 15th through July 15th, 2026. Awardees will be announced at the MAPA Fall CME conference September 24-25, 2026.
Awards Categories
Three different, annual award opportunities are listed below:
Minnesota Advocacy Award Minnesota PAs have worked diligently for social change and progress within, and outside, the profession. This award recognizes those who have contributed through legislation, diversity and inclusion, meeting the needs of underserved communities, equity, or social justice.
PA of the Year Award This honor is awarded to a Minnesota PA who demonstrates exemplary service, who provides compassionate and comprehensive medical care, and engages with the community. Any PA who lives or practices in the state of Minnesota is eligible to receive this award.
Preceptor of the Year Award The Preceptor of the Year Award goes to a proponent of education, participating in precepting and mentoring opportunities to support the professional growth of others. Nominees should be role models, demonstrating exceptional skill, a passion for education, and quality communication with students. The notable contributions of the nominee need to have occurred within the previous year.
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 to promote options for receiving help.
How do PAs Treat Mental Health?
Medication Management: PAs prescribe medications to treat a variety of mental health disorders. From Family Medicine to Emergency Medicine and beyond, a PA can help patients access medication to manage their mental health.
Clinical Care: Regardless of specialty, all PAs are trained to screen and diagnose mental health disorders, assess patient risk, and determine follow-up.
Specialized Care: PAs may specialize in areas such as psychiatry or addiction medicine in order to meet patient care needs.
In Minnesota, all PAs must abide by state licensure standards. Specialized training may be required for PAs to treat severe Mental Illness.
How to access care?
Mental health struggles can feel overwhelming and isolating. However, it’s important to remember there are health care providers who will partner with you to help you feel better. If you or a loved one is struggling, a primary care provider may be a good place to start. Whether they are a physician, PA, or Nurse Practitioner, they can work with you to create a treatment plan. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 to reach the National Sucide and Crisis Lifeline.
