The PA Playbook

How does a palliative care Hospice chaplain bridge End Of Life discussion between family patient and providers?

From perception to practice, another dive into leadership strategies for growth minded PAs and more!

Join us and our guests nurse practitioners Bob Smithing and Nancy Lawton as we discuss controversy surrounding nurse practitioners and PAs using Dr in the clinical setting.

AAPA elections open Don May 18. Meet your candidates. What do you want from your candidate? What does the director at Large do? What do they see as AAPA's priorities? Join PA Playbook as we interview candidates for Director at Large and AAPA president. Best of luck to all the candidates.

AAPA elections open Don May 18. Meet your candidates. What do you want from your candidate? What does the director at Large do? What do they see as AAPA's priorities? Join PA Playbook as we interview candidates for Director at Large and AAPA president. Best of luck to all the candidates.

AAPA elections open Don May 18. Meet your candidates. What do you want from your candidate? What does the director at Large do? What do they see as AAPA's priorities? Join PA Playbook as we interview candidates for Director at Large and AAPA president. Best of luck to all the candidates.

In this special episode of PA Playbook, we sit down with special guest Brian Bea as he shares the vision, leadership journey, and passion driving his candidacy for WAPA President-Elect. Hear firsthand why he believes he is the right leader for this pivotal moment, and get inspired by his bold ideas for advancing the PA profession, strengthening advocacy, and shaping the future of PAs across Washin...

Get ready for another inspiring episode of PA Playbook as co-hosts Eileen Ravella and Dr Troy Bender dive into the power of leadership in the PA profession. From defining what truly makes a great leader to uncovering practical ways to step confidently into leadership opportunities, this episode is packed with motivation and actionable insight to help fellow PAs elevate their voice, influence, and...

This episode follows the journey of a Susan Ferrero who left the frontlines of clinical care to step into the world of medical case review for attorneys. Through her eyes, listeners get a firsthand look at what it takes to pivot from patient care to analyzing complex medical cases, the challenges of translating clinical experience into legal insight, and the lessons learned along the way. This is...

Nurse practitioners and Physician Associates have grown up together. What are our common goals? How can we support each other and become more collaborative? Don’t read the Reddit board! Listen to the first of many podcasts as we talk to nurse practitioner leaders and discuss shared goals and values..

Did you ever wish you could start your own practice? Listen up! We talk to Ed Lopez, an entrepreneurial PA, who has started multiple practices. We discuss plans from start to finish.

How do we grow PA leaders. Where do we educate PA leaders? What characteristics ensure success? Yolanda Freeman-Hildreth knows the skills we need for success. After all, she is a PA leader. Join us for this extremely informative episode with someone who is helping lead the way in breaking barriers.

We discuss the current liability risk with PA practice and how to properly handle any potential risks.

Join Troy and Eileen at the 2025 fall WAPA conference! What do PAs want from a conference? What's do they want from state organizations?  Join us and stay tuned for more podcasts to come! 

Follow us! Join Troy Bender DFAAPA DMSc and Eileen Ravella DFAAPA and DMSc candidate for part 2 on how to get into PA school. We talk to pre PA student El Wong and advise him on how to pick a PA program that fits his needs and the tools to strengthen his PA application. 

This podcast explores the evolving role of the PA doctoral degree—why it matters, how it strengthens our profession, and what to consider when applying. From admission insights to program design and long-term career impact, we break down the essentials for PAs ready to take the next step.

"PA Admissions Blueprint: Strategies for Success” is a podcast guiding aspiring physician assistant applicants through the application process. It covers crafting a standout application, building a competitive profile with clinical experience and academics, choosing the right PA program for your goals, and excelling in interviews with practical tips and expert insights.

The PA Playbook, Season 2, Episode 6, is out now, and Eileen and Joshua tackle emergency medicine!  Whether you're a brand-new PA finding your footing or a seasoned pro juggling patient care and precepting, this episode of The PA Playbook is for you! We chat with John Stangl, PA-C, author of From Classroom to Clinician, a savvy and practical book for new grads adjusting to real-world practice.  We...

In this episode, Joshua and Eileen sit down with Jay O'Neill, a physician associate who works on the Makah reservation in the northwest corner of Washington State, on the Olympic Peninsula. Jay is a championship strongman and caber tosser, and he tells us about the unique contributions PAs make to Native American communities, and the challenges and joys of working with an underserved community...

Want to get into the OR as a PA—but not sure how to start? Feeling the gap between PA school and surgical confidence? Wondering how to switch specialties and keep your life in balance? In this special bonus episode of The PA Playbook, Joshua and Eileen bring you David Bunnell, PA-C— he’s been a cardiothoracic and electrophysiology PA, researcher, educator, father, and a longtime leader in PA advoc...

Earthquakes, epidemics and war zones! What’s it really like for a PA working on the frontlines of disaster medicine? In our latest episode, Joshua and Eileen sit down with Eric Holden, a physician assistant who’s delivered care in the chaos of Haiti, Nepal, and Iraq—where medicine meets unpredictability, resilience, and the occasional misplaced grenade (yes, really). From medical supply challenges...

This episode discusses the role of PAs in HIV care. Join Joshua and Eileen as they talk with Justin Hooks, NP, about how to get involved in HIV care, challenges of LGBT care access, and the nuances of primary care for people living with HIV.

Ever wondered about how physician assistants practice in Canada? Join Kirsten Luomala, CCPA, DMSc as we talk about the development of the PA profession in Canada, her journey from the Canadian Armed Forces to President of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants, the challenges of working in the Canadian far north, and even what it takes for an American PA to work in Canada.

In  The Puzzle Patients,  Eileen and Joshua dive into the challenges of diagnostic uncertainty with seasoned rheumatologist, Amish Dave, MD. Explore the emotional toll of navigating complex cases, the role of social media and misinformation in patient care, best practices when referring to specialists to speed care and diagnosis, and strategies for fostering trust and understanding with patients s...

For our season finale, we dive into the AAPA’s national efforts to elevate PAs and support their careers, how they fight misconceptions about PAs and advance efforts to transform healthcare across the US. Our guest today is Dr. Jenn Orozco, Chief Medical Officer and Past President of the American Academy of Physician Associates.