If you’re a PA, you are surely aware of AAPA and its annual conference. More than 20 current MEDEX students attended this year’s AAPA Conference and Expo held in Houston, TX (May 17-21, 2024). We asked some to send us reports on their experiences there; here’s what we heard back. 

Brianna Kraft, Seattle Class 57

AAPA was very inspiring, insightful, and enlightening. I had the opportunity to present on Pre-PA panel [“What I Wish I Had Known”] and offered advice based on my experiences so far, which included remembering why you want to be a PA, knowing just what the end goal is, and recognizing that each of us has our own individual story that brought us here. Chasing after perspective, I also focused on attending CMEs that taught me something I couldn’t learn in a text book, learning about leadership, vulnerability, patient experiences, and how to do our best to serve all. As MEDEX Seattle’s alternate Student Academy Representative (SAR), I was most inspired by engaging with those on the student board. Each person has a beautiful story that brought them to this profession. I left Houston with a greater confidence in myself and what I bring to the profession, and with a greater passion to teach others and share my story and to help encourage those who are “first gens,” like myself, who didn’t have much support and met many barriers on their path to get here. I’m very optimistic and excited going into my clinical year, and to see where I take myself in this career in the next year.

(l to r) AAPA Student Academy officers: Brittny Dawkins (President Elect), Patrice Farquarson (mid-Atlantic regional director), Brianna Kraft (Seattle 57, MEDEX SAR alternate) and Ana Ahmad (Western Regional Director). 

(l to r) Daytheon Sturges (MEDEX faculty) and Brianna Kraft (Seattle 57).

Amanda Lugo, Tacoma Class 11

AAPA was a refreshing experience for me. Listening to others speak on topics I was interested in left me feeling renewed in my passion for the profession. The keynote session that featured astronaut and PA Hayley Arceneux was excellent and very educational. I also attended quite a few lectures on pediatrics, and was impressed with not only the content of their presentations but also with the public speaking skills of these PAs. 

(l to r) Chris Roach (Seattle 57), Amanda Lugo (Tacoma 11), An Astronaut, and Scarlet Nordholm (Tacoma 11) 

(l to r) Amanda Lugo (Tacoma 11) and Scarlet Nordholm (Tacoma 11)

Mo Wyatt, Kona Class 4

Whew, where do I begin? Let me start with some honesty: I would have never attended this conference if it hadn’t been held in Houston, my hometown. However, now that I’ve attended, I understand the significance of participating in such events. I’m more excited about my profession than ever before! The theme, “PAs: Out of this World,” was fitting, especially with an astronaut PA as the keynote speaker. The sessions I attended were informative and I received vital resources to add to my toolkit for patient care.  During my time at the expo, I was able to network with a variety of PA organizations, and learn about employment opportunities, scholarships, and a plethora of drug reps. My only criticism was the relative lack of mental health sessions. Still, I give the conference a 10/10. All PAs should experience this event, and I am excited about next year’s conference! Also, it was great getting a chance to meet other students and future colleagues. 

(l to r) An Astronaut and Mo Wyatt (Kona 4)

(l to r) Angel Adams (Kona 4) and Mo Wyatt (Kona 4)

Chris Roach, Seattle Class 57
 
Going to AAPA was an incredible opportunity! I was able to attend multiple fascinating lectures each day, make new connections with multiple MEDEX alumni, and learn more about what clinical rotations and practice will look like. The highlights of lectures that I attended included: deep space infections and where to be on the lookout for red flags (a fresh take/new perspective on red flag symptoms), neurological emergencies and how they present in real life (awesome look into the material that we’re learning in class right now), a review on malpractice cases (it was a great exercise on thinking what I would do and a reminder to be thorough in practice or charting), and current research and treatment in migraine (which tied in really well to what I’m working on for my capstone paper). 
 
One highlight was getting to meet with Stephen Willis, a PA in endocrinology and a MEDEX alum (Spokane Class 10) who works in Spokane. We met at WAPA this year and got to connect at multiple points during AAPA. It was also a great pleasure to get to reconnect with MEDEX students from other campuses who I only saw briefly during orientation week or hadn’t previously met, and to get to learn from PA students from other programs as well. Attending AAPA was a great way to reflect on my current place in PA school and to get a better understanding of what I’ll be doing in clinical rotations and in practice.
 
Oh, and the food in Texas was incredible too! 

(l to r) Chris Roach (Seattle 57), Rob Protzman (Kona 4), Scarlet Nordholm (Tacoma 11), Amanda Lugo (Tacoma 11), and Brianna Kraft (Seattle 57).

Did I mention the food?

Astiana Stults, Tacoma Class 11

I saw attending AAPA 2024 as another facet of my PA education and overall MEDEX experience. This was my first time attending a professional conference, so I tried to be a sponge and take it all in, attending as many lectures and networking events as possible. The enthusiastic energy of the other attendees, be they fellow students or seasoned physician assistants, was infectious. My favorite lecture was all about pediatric growth plate injuries, which included an overview of leg lengthening surgery! Another highlight was participating in iScan, an ultrasound workshop and competition put on by the Society of Point of Care Ultrasound (SPOCUS). At this event I was put on a team with other PA students–my team included both didactic and clinical year students from Iowa and Michigan–and we rotated through different stations getting hands-on experience. I got to scan a kidney, perform a FAST exam, interpret an echocardiogram, and model for the musculoskeletal section. Overall, I learned a ton, made some great connections, and possibly even found avenues for putting together an ultrasound demo at my home campus of Tacoma. Attending AAPA 2024 has excited me even more for my upcoming clinical rotations and everything I will learn from PAs and other providers working out in the community. Oh, and hanging out in a Texas-shaped lazy river wasn’t too bad either!

(l to r) Madi Arndt (Tacoma 11), An Astronaut, Astiana Stults (Tacoma 11)

Astiana Stults (Tacoma 11) participating in iScan ultrasound workshop and competition

Katie Walker, Seattle Class 57
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the AAPA national conference in Houston. Given that this was my first time at the event, I really tried to pack my schedule so I could make the most of the experience! I attended educational sessions and skills workshops that ranged from lab medicine to health equity to dermoscopy, sat in on the House of Delegates and several expert panels, and got helpful information on clinical rotations, studying for the PANCE, and first job negotiation and preparation. I am hopeful for and inspired by the innovative research, medications, and procedures that were presented, and I am truly in awe of Hayley Arceneaux and Serena Auñón-Chancellor after learning about their work in aerospace medicine. Throw in some fun opportunities to unwind with friends and colleagues in a new city and I would definitely rate this experience as five stars!
 
Admittedly, it was really nice to take a mini-break from classes, but my favorite part of the conference was connecting with so many new people in our profession. It was refreshing and exciting to hear stories from those whose PA path is different than mine. I interacted with students at other PA schools, new and experienced practicing clinicians, PA educators, and staff from multiple professional organizations, but it was especially enjoyable to meet MEDEX students from the other campuses who have mostly been boxes on Zoom up to this point!
 
Whether you’re looking for CME, networking, job prospects, or free swag from drug reps, the AAPA conference really is a great experience with something for everyone. I highly recommend that all students and PAs attend, and I hope to see you in Denver next year!

(l to r) Katie Walker (Seattle 57), Chris Roach (Seattle 57), Bri Kraft (Seattle 57), and Daytheon Sturges (MEDEX faculty)

Too many to name! MEDEX students and faculty from all five campuses

Nolan Day, Spokane Class 27
 
We had a wonderful time in Houston! I didn’t fully know what to expect. But there were so many opportunities to engage as a PA student. I am more excited than ever to get to clinicals, start practicing how to practice medicine, and get out there in whatever field I find myself in. I am really being drawn to peds right now, and a couple of the sessions I attended helped stoke that interest. We are really looking forward to going again next year. 

A slide from a class presentation created by Nolan Day & Scott Mangum. 

A slide from a class presentation created by Nolan Day & Scott Mangum.