PA Insights - Powered by NCCPA

In this special episode of PA Insights Podcast , we hear directly from NCCPA's 2026 PA Ambassadors as they share the personal stories that shaped their careers. From discovering the profession through shadowing and mentorship to finding purpose in patient care, these candid conversations highlight the many paths that lead to becoming a PA.

Explore the inspiring journey of Nguyen Park, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA , a PA leader in genetics, as she shares her path and passion for advancing health equity. Delve into her leadership roles, the founding of the Society of PAs in Genetics & Genomics, and her personal experiences as an immigrant shaping her healthcare perspective. This episode addresses the nuance in health challenges in Asian Ame...

Discover key insights from the latest NCCPA Statistical Profile of Board Certified PAs by State report on the PA workforce, including growth trends, income disparities, and telemedicine adoption. Ideal for PAs, policymakers, and healthcare professionals.

  In this episode of the PA Insights Podcast, we welcome Noor Ali, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, a Board Certified PA practicing in ocular oncology. Ali shares her journey into the field, discussing the challenges and rewards of working in such a specialized area. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork, mentorship, and continuous learning in her career. The conversation also delves into the day-to-day resp...

PAs Laura and Jeff give us a glimpse into what makes a marriage last and thrive over 35 years. Their story combines humor and reflection while revealing how shared passions shape a lifelong partnership. In this episode, you'll discover how two PAs navigated the complexities of working in different specialties, balancing careers while raising a family, avoiding burnout and maintaining a deep co...

In this engaging conversation, Nicole Burwell, PhD, MSHS, PA-C reflects on her experience leading the PA program at North Carolina A&T. She explores how intentional program design, leadership, and community connection can strengthen representation within the PA profession, support learner success, and foster trust across patient populations. As we observe Black History Month, the conversation...

Join us for a dynamic discussion between two experienced PAs, Alicia Quella and John Bradford, as they share valuable insights from the PA profession, including what it was like to serve in the Peace Corps. Whether you're a practicing PA, a PA student, or someone aspiring to join the profession, this conversation is packed with expert advice, personal experiences, and actionable tips to help y...

Join us on the PA Insights Podcast as we explore the dynamic evolution of military medicine with Colonel James Jones . Discover how the Generalist Plus model is reshaping the PA profession, addressing diversity, and enhancing readiness through advanced specialty training and telemedicine. Dive into the challenges and strategies for retention and resilience in this rapidly changing field.

Join us as we delve into the latest NCCPA report revealing a surge in newly certified PAs in 2024. Discover the factors driving this growth, the promising job market, and high satisfaction rates among PAs. Learn how educational rigor and expanding opportunities are shaping the future of healthcare professionals. Link to the full report: https://www.nccpa.net/2024-statistical-profile-of-board-certi...

In Part 2, PAs Jay Somers and Todd Allen dive into the realities of whole-person medicine. They discuss how generalist PA training supports mental health practice, why collaboration is essential, and how purposeful, patient-centered care can transform both providers and patients. This episode highlights the powerful connection between physical and mental health, and the essential role PAs play in...

In Part 1 of our conversation with PAs Jay Somers and Todd Allen, we explore the career paths that led them into the world of psychiatry. Jay and Todd share the deeply personal rewards of practicing mental health care. This episode offers an honest look at why psychiatry matters — and what it means to truly listen as a clinician.

In this episode of PA Insights, powered by NCCPA, we sit down with the brilliant minds behind NCCPA's research team to uncover pivotal data shaping the PA community. Tune in to learn about the latest trends, impactful statistics, and key insights that every PA, healthcare professional, and research enthusiast should know. Join us for an enlightening discussion that highlights the importance of...

Tune in to this episode of PA Insights where we talk with Rashadah Jordan DMSC, PA-C, CAQ Psychiatry, about why it’s so important for you as medical providers to be aware of your mental health and what you can do to keep your mental health in tip-top shape!

In this episode, we talk about PANRE-LA: how it's going so far, questions we've received from PAs, and some really interesting data on how PAs are interacting with this new recertification exam option!

Cynthia Pokluda, MMS, PA-C, practices in correctional medicine, meaning she provides medical care for adults in custody. In this podcast episode, she shares what drew her to practice in correctional medicine, some of the challenges and rewards to working in this specialty, what a typical day looks like, and more!

Did you know that every single question on every single NCCPA exam is created by clinically practicing Board Certified PAs? That’s right – every year, hundreds of PAs develop and edit the items you see on PANCE, PANRE, PANRE-LA, and the CAQ exams. In this episode of PA Insights with NCCPA, we talk with a Board Certified PA about his experience volunteering on exam development committees and why he...

PA-psychiatrist team Pete Carmany, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, and Terri Langford, MD, practice psychiatry in rural Lovington, New Mexico. They share what makes their partnership so successful and how it benefits their patients. They also discuss the need for more PAs in the field of psychiatry.

Two Board Certified PAs working for the U.S. State Department Bureau of Medical Services shed light on the exciting challenges they face during their duties and offer up insight into the kind of background and qualifications the state department looks for when recruiting PAs. 

In this episode of PA Insights with NCCPA: -  We talk with a Board Certified PA who is currently serving in a leadership role about his path to leadership, and advice for other PAs who are looking to make an impact in the PA profession. (00:49) - We share information about NCCPA’s Back2School program, and hear from a PA about her experience speaking to school-age students and why she thinks it’s i...

In this episode: -  (1:01) We dive in to PANRE-LA –  where we’ll dig into some really insightful data as to how it’s going so far and get expert answers to the questions we get the most from PAs about this recertification assessment option. -  (25:07) We have a great conversation with a Board Certified PA who’s worked in global health for 30 years about her experience and how to get into that rewa...

In this episode: - We talk with two of the recipients of the Kathy J. Pedersen Grant to Promote Equitable care (which is available through the nccPA Health Foundation ) about their grant outreach projects, what the application process was like, and tips they have for future applicants. (1:01) - Next, a Board Certified PA practicing in pediatrics shares her story of how she’s educating her patients...

In this episode, we talk with the NCCPA President and CEO, Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed. D., PA-C, ICE-CCP, FACHE, about the “board certification” terminology, as well as the “PA” title change.  

In this episode: - We talk with two of the panelists from NCCPA’s inaugural REPRESENT Summit about their experience at the summit and why increasing diversity in the PA profession is so important (1:40).  - We take a look at PA demographic and workforce trends (21:31). - We talk with the nccPA Health Foundation about oral health disparities for people with disabilities and how Certified PAs a...

In this episode, we talk all about PANRE-LA, the new recertification assessment option available to Certified PAs. We discuss how it was developed, how the assessment will work, how it will be scored, who's eligible, and more!

In this episode: - We have a discussion with NCCPA Senior Director of Communications Erica Banks on NCCPA's inaugural Represent Summit, which is focused on increasing diversity in the profession. (00:53) - We talk with nccPA Health Foundation Board Chair Todd Allen on the Health Foundation's new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grant, as well as the other grants they have available to Certified PAs...