Joint Effort PAs

Send us Fan Mail Being an orthopedic PA means living in the gray. In this episode, we dive into the ethical dilemmas unique to orthopedic practice — the moments that don’t show up in textbooks but define real-world decision-making. From surgical vs non-operative care, to the blurry areas of patient advocacy, and documentation ethics, we unpack the tough calls ortho PAs face every day. This episode...

Send us Fan Mail 2025 was… a year.  We’re taking a look back at the moments that defined the year — the wins, the chaos, and the lessons no one teaches you in PA school. From evolving confidence, our use of AI, and goals going into next year, this episode is an honest recap of what it really looked like to be an Ortho PA in 2025. If you’re an Ortho PA, a PA student eyeing orthopedics, or anyone tr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joint Effort PAs , we sip wine and break down the real-world insights behind what its really like starting out early on in practice from our favorite hand surgeon. From creating the PA–surgeon partnership , balancing the early grind and work life balance, branding/social media, and more! Whether you’re a PA, physician, student, or just curious about how we start...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joint Effort PAs , we’re breaking down the most common surgeon personality archetypes you’ll encounter- from the hyper-focused perfectionist to the cowboy, with the help of our OR Nurse guest! We talk: The classic surgeon personality types How each type communicates under stress What not to take personally How PAs, residents, RNs, and staff can adapt their appro...

Send us Fan Mail Holiday office parties in medicine hit a little different. One minute you’re talking clinic schedules and call coverage, the next you’re seeing your coworkers in cocktail attire wondering how we all ended up here. In this episode of Joint Effort PAs , we dive into the unspoken rules, awkward moments, and universally shared chaos of holiday office parties in healthcare. From naviga...

Send us Fan Mail Surviving clinical rotations in PA school isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s for the chronically exhausted, over-caffeinated, and wildly determined. In this episode, we break down the highs, lows, and “did that really just happen?” moments of rotations. From navigating pre-rounds and pimp questions to surviving OR etiquette, awkward patient encounters, and the art of pretending y...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another episode of ‘why didn’t anyone warn us about this in PA school?’ We’re talking all things awkward patient encounters — the weird comments, the situations you just aren't quite sure how to handle, and the things we wish we could un-see. If you’ve ever kept a straight face while a patient overshared, under-shared, mis-shared, or tried to show you way more than...

Send us Fan Mail The holidays are here — which means twinkle lights, family gatherings… and absolute chaos in medicine. In this episode, we dive into why December feels like the Super Bowl of stress for healthcare workers, from jam-packed clinics and last-minute surgical add-ons to deductible-season madness and patients who show up with their entire family in the exam room. Whether you’re a new PA...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like every rotator cuff tear has its own personality? Some just need a little TLC and a scope… others are galloping straight toward a reverse. In this episode, the Joint Effort PAs saddle up to break down the wild ride from partial tears to cuff tear arthropathy — and when it’s time to trade the suture anchor for a prosthesis. 🤠💀 We’ll cover: The biomechanics behind wh...

Send us Fan Mail Student loans, net worth, and figuring out what “compound interest” actually means — we’re talking money! 💸  In this episode, we sit down with our guest,  Dr. John,  to break down financial literacy for PAs, physicians, and anyone in medicine trying to get their financial life together. From tackling debt and understanding your paycheck, to smart investing, budgeting on a healthc...

Send us Fan Mail Ever met a patient who can bend their thumb back to their wrist or pop their shoulder out on command? In this episode of Joint Effort PAs , we dive into the world of hypermobility syndromes — what they actually mean, how to tell when “double-jointed” becomes a problem, and the most common areas we see it affect with focus on the thumb, shoulder, and knee . We’ll talk through evalu...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Joint Effort PAs , we’re putting the spotlight on another vital member of the surgical team — the CRNA. 💉 We’re joined by a certified registered nurse anesthetist who shares what it’s really like behind the drape — from her training and scope of practice to how she works alongside PAs, surgeons, and anesthesiologists. We break down the differences and surprising over...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joint Effort PAs , we’re breaking down one of the most common questions we get — what’s the real difference between Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs)? From education and training paths to scope of practice, autonomy, and how each role fits into different specialties, we’ll clear up the confusion and share our personal takes from working si...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Joint Effort PAs , we dive into the world of patient reviews — the good, the bad, and the ones that stick with you. We talk about how online feedback shapes our practice, affects our confidence, and influences the way patients see us. From celebrating glowing reviews to handling harsh ones with grace, we share strategies for staying grounded, learning from criticism,...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what really sets successful applicants apart when it comes to landing your dream job as a PA? In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how to position yourself for the role you’ve been chasing — from crafting a standout resume and nailing your interview to building professional relationships that actually open doors. We’ll share our own stories of how we landed our...

Send us Fan Mail Balancing patient care with personal health is no easy feat—and if you’ve ever struggled to fit in workouts, eat well, or just take care of yourself, you’re not alone. In this episode, we get real about the challenges PAs face in prioritizing their own wellness while working in medicine. From personal stories to practical tips on exercise, nutrition, supplements, sleep, and mental...

Send us Fan Mail In this *vent session*, we open up about those tricky moments in medicine where doing the right thing doesn’t always feel like the popular thing. From navigating tricky topics with patients, to the challenges of giving honest feedback to staff, we dive into the disconnect between expectations and best practice. We reflect on how easily boundaries, professionalism, and good intenti...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we flip the script and bring in a surgeon’s voice to the conversation. Beth's supervising physician joins us to share his perspective from 25 years of working alongside PAs. We dive into the qualities he’s found most valuable (and not so much), what it really takes to succeed in this setting, and his best advice for anyone looking to step into the OR team dyn...

Send us Fan Mail Being a great PA takes more than just knowing the medicine. In this episode, we dive into the traits that make a Physician Assistant stand out—for better and for worse. From red-flag habits that drive colleagues crazy to the qualities that earn trust and respect, we cover it all. Expect real-life stories, honest insights, and a mix of humor and tough love as we break down what it...

Send us Fan Mail We can't get enough of the OR vibes. Step inside the operating room with us as we share what daily life really looks like behind the sterile drapes. From the little rituals that set the tone for a smooth case, to the pet peeves that can throw off the flow, we’re covering it all. We’ll talk about what’s playing through the speakers , the things that make a surgery day go well,...

Send us Fan Mail 👟💉 Ever wonder what it’s really like to walk a week in the life of an ortho PA? In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our daily grind—early mornings, packed OR schedules, clinic chaos, and the small moments that keep us going. From scrubbing in to scrubbing out, we share the highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you’re a pre-PA student, a fellow healthcare...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 2 – The Team Player 🎧 Being a PA means more than diagnosing, treating, and assisting in the OR — it’s about building trust, fostering collaboration, and making the team stronger for both patients and providers. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to be a team player in medicine: How to create genuine connections with patients and earn their t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the very first episode of Joint Effort PAs – a podcast by two female orthopedic surgery PAs bringing real talk, relatable experiences, and practical insights from inside the world of medicine. In this intro episode, we’re pulling back the curtain to share who we are, how we ended up in ortho, what our day-to-day looks like, and what inspired us to start this podcast. We...