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)

(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


(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

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