Pro-PA Podcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) from a cardiovascular perspective. You’ll learn how AVMs bypass the normal capillary bed to create high-flow shunting, how they present in the brain, lungs, and extremities, and their association with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). The episode also covers key cli...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Appendicitis , one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention. You’ll learn to recognize classic symptom progression from periumbilical pain to right lower quadrant tenderness, understand key exam findings such as McBurney point tenderness and rebound pain, and review diagnost...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Small Intestine Polyps , uncommon but clinically important lesions that may present with bleeding, anemia, obstruction, or be discovered incidentally. You’ll learn about different polyp types—including adenomatous, hamartomatous, and those associated with hereditary syndromes such as Peutz-Jeghers and familial aden...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities , helping you distinguish immune-mediated reactions from non-immune food intolerances. You’ll learn the difference between IgE-mediated food allergies—which can cause urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis—and food sensitivities such as lactose intolerance or other non-allergic...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Lactose Intolerance , a common cause of osmotic diarrhea due to lactase deficiency in the small intestine. You’ll learn how to recognize hallmark symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea after dairy ingestion, understand the difference between primary and secondary lactase deficiency,...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Celiac Disease , an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion that leads to small intestinal villous atrophy and malabsorption. You’ll learn hallmark features such as chronic diarrhea, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, and dermatitis herpetiformis, along with key diagnostic testing including tissue trans...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Paralytic Ileus , a functional obstruction caused by decreased intestinal motility rather than a mechanical blockage. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark features such as abdominal distention, hypoactive or absent bowel sounds, and diffuse dilation of bowel loops on imaging. We’ll also break down common causes—inclu...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO) , a common and potentially serious surgical condition. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, distention, and obstipation, understand the most common causes—including adhesions, hernias, and malignancy—and identify key imaging findings on abdomina...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) , a potentially life-threatening wide complex arrhythmia responsible for the majority of cardiac arrest episodes. You’ll learn to recognize key ECG features, differentiate sustained versus nonsustained VT, and distinguish monomorphic from polymorphic patterns. The episode also r...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib) , a chaotic and life-threatening arrhythmia that results in immediate loss of cardiac output and sudden cardiac arrest. You’ll learn the hallmark ECG findings—absence of identifiable P waves or QRS complexes—along with the most common causes, including ischemic heart disease. The...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Sinus Bradycardia and Sick Sinus Syndrome , two rhythm disturbances involving the heart’s natural pacemaker. You’ll learn when a slow heart rate is completely normal—such as in athletes or during sleep—and when it signals true sinus node dysfunction. The episode breaks down key ECG findings, symptom correlation...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Atrial Tachycardia , an uncommon but clinically important supraventricular arrhythmia. The episode focuses on focal atrial tachycardia—characterized by bursts of rapid, regular tachycardia originating outside the sinus node—and also briefly covers multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT), often seen in patients with...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Atrioventricular (AV) Blocks , from first-degree conduction delay to complete (third-degree) heart block. You’ll learn to recognize the ECG patterns of first-degree block, Mobitz I (Wenckebach), Mobitz II, and third-degree block, along with key memory anchors to keep them straight on exam day. The episode a...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Premature Atrial Complexes (PACs) , one of the most common—and usually benign—ECG findings in clinical practice. You’ll learn the key ECG features that distinguish PACs from other atrial dysrhythmias, understand common triggers such as stimulants, stress, and adrenergic excess, and recognize when PACs require t...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) , one of the most common ventricular arrhythmias encountered in clinical practice. You’ll learn hallmark ECG features—including wide QRS complexes without preceding P waves—recognize patterns such as bigeminy and trigeminy, and understand common triggers like stress, ca...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Sinus Arrhythmia , a common and typically benign variation in heart rhythm. You’ll learn how it appears on ECG, understand its relationship to respiration and vagal tone, and confidently distinguish this normal sinus variant from pathologic dysrhythmias. This quick, high-yield episode reinforces key exam concep...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Atrial Flutter , an organized atrial dysrhythmia marked by rapid atrial activity and the classic 2:1 AV block producing a ventricular rate near 150 bpm. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark ECG findings such as sawtooth flutter waves, understand stroke risk and anticoagulation considerations, and review evidence-...

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) , one of the most common and clinically significant cardiac dysrhythmias. You’ll learn how to recognize its irregularly irregular rhythm on exam and ECG, understand common triggers and underlying causes, and assess stroke risk using evidence-based tools. The episode also reviews p...

In this episode of DERM101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Minor Burns , helping you confidently assess and manage these common injuries in primary care and urgent care settings. You’ll learn burn classification by depth and extent, practical outpatient treatment strategies, pain control considerations, and clear criteria for referral to a burn center. This high-yield ep...

In this episode of DERM101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Stasis Dermatitis , a common inflammatory skin condition associated with chronic venous insufficiency. You’ll learn the underlying pathophysiology, recognize hallmark clinical features such as erythema, scaling, and hyperpigmentation of the lower extremities, and explore evidence-based management strategies. This...

In this episode of DERM101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Pressure Injuries (formerly known as pressure ulcers), a common and preventable complication in hospitalized and long-term care patients. You’ll learn how to accurately stage these wounds, recognize high-risk patients, and implement evidence-based management strategies. The episode also highlights practical preve...

In this episode of DERM101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, dives into Vitiligo , an autoimmune condition characterized by depigmented macules and patches due to melanocyte destruction. You’ll learn the underlying pathogenesis, recognize classic clinical features, and review evidence-based management strategies tailored for primary care PAs and PA students. This episode also emph...

In this episode of DERM101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Petechiae, Purpura, and Ecchymoses —three common but often confused skin findings seen in primary care. You’ll learn the key differences in size and presentation, understand underlying causes ranging from benign trauma to serious hematologic disorders, and review high-yield clinical pearls to guide your worku...

In this special episode of the Pro-PA Podcast, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, celebrates PA Week 2025 , reflecting on the growth, impact, and future of the Physician Assistant/Physician Associate profession. This episode was recorded in October 2025 during National PA Week and captures timely thoughts, milestones, and encouragement for both current and future PAs. Whether you&#3...

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Gastric Adenocarcinoma , the most common type of stomach cancer worldwide. You’ll learn about key risk factors—including Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, chronic gastritis, and certain dietary exposures—as well as regional differences in incidence. We’ll cover hallmark presentations like unexplained weight l...