NCAPA

North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates

Leading the Way

Speaking of Sleep: Conference Speaker, Gina Mauldin PA-C

Jul 16, 2025
Gina Mauldin, PA-C is an NCAPA Member and upcoming NCAPA Summer Conference speaker who specializes in sleep medicine. She received her Master of Health Sciences degree from the Duke University […]

Speaking of Sleep: Conference Speaker, Gina Mauldin PA-C

by Pauline Bulala

Gina Mauldin, PA-C is an NCAPA Member and upcoming NCAPA Summer Conference speaker who specializes in sleep medicine. She received her Master of Health Sciences degree from the Duke University […]

From Advocacy to Academics, and From NCAPA to PA School

Jun 4, 2025
Pauline Bulala is the NCAPA Marketing and Communications Coordinator and is leaving NCAPA to begin PA school at Campbell University next month. As a pre-PA in this role, she shares […]

From Advocacy to Academics, and From NCAPA to PA School

by Pauline Bulala

Pauline Bulala is the NCAPA Marketing and Communications Coordinator and is leaving NCAPA to begin PA school at Campbell University next month. As a pre-PA in this role, she shares […]

Interview with Member Robin Hunter-Buskey, First Female PA on NC Medical Board

Jun 4, 2025
NCAPA Member Robin Hunter-Buskey, DHSc, CPHP, CCHP, CDCES, PA-C, Captain USPHS has been driven by the pursuit of service to others her whole life. A New York native, she is […]

Interview with Member Robin Hunter-Buskey, First Female PA on NC Medical Board

by Pauline Bulala

NCAPA Member Robin Hunter-Buskey, DHSc, CPHP, CCHP, CDCES, PA-C, Captain USPHS has been driven by the pursuit of service to others her whole life. A New York native, she is […]

Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with Marisa Isbell, PA-C

May 19, 2025
In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the NCAPA is spotlighting Marisa Isbell, PA-C, CAQ-PSYCH, NCAPA Member and psychiatric physician assistant (PA) who owns her own mental health […]

Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with Marisa Isbell, PA-C

by Pauline Bulala

In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the NCAPA is spotlighting Marisa Isbell, PA-C, CAQ-PSYCH, NCAPA Member and psychiatric physician assistant (PA) who owns her own mental health […]

Member Laura Blanchard, PA-C Wins APPOS MVP of the Year

Apr 22, 2025
There are several patients that I’ve been fortunate enough to foster deep connections with. That’s what keeps me coming back to my job everyday – helping people get through some […]

Member Laura Blanchard, PA-C Wins APPOS MVP of the Year

by Pauline Bulala

There are several patients that I’ve been fortunate enough to foster deep connections with. That’s what keeps me coming back to my job everyday – helping people get through some […]

PA Allen Stephens’ Journey: Flight Paramedic to Leading the Way

Mar 24, 2025
“The more our voices are heard, the more people are aware of PAs and what we can bring to the table.” -Allen Stephens, PA-C The NC Academy of PAs recently […]

PA Allen Stephens’ Journey: Flight Paramedic to Leading the Way

by Pauline Bulala

“The more our voices are heard, the more people are aware of PAs and what we can bring to the table.” -Allen Stephens, PA-C The NC Academy of PAs recently […]

PA Joshua Newton Reflects on the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Feb 24, 2025
FOUR MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE HELENE made landfall in Western North Carolina, Joshua Newton, PA-C still remembers the feeling of being, “shellshocked.” As a PA and family medicine practice owner, his […]

PA Joshua Newton Reflects on the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

by Pauline Bulala

FOUR MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE HELENE made landfall in Western North Carolina, Joshua Newton, PA-C still remembers the feeling of being, “shellshocked.” As a PA and family medicine practice owner, his […]

Military PA M. Tiye Young Leads Western NC Relief & Recovery

Feb 24, 2025
Being both in the military for fourteen years and practicing medicine is “an honor to be trusted to do both,” described Wake Forest PA graduate, Major Makeda Tiye Young, PA-C. […]

Military PA M. Tiye Young Leads Western NC Relief & Recovery

by Pauline Bulala

Being both in the military for fourteen years and practicing medicine is “an honor to be trusted to do both,” described Wake Forest PA graduate, Major Makeda Tiye Young, PA-C. […]

How a REACH PPP Training Inspired PA Marty Nelson to Train Others

Jan 28, 2025
NCAPA recently sat down with Martha “Marty” Nelson, MHS, PA-C, who serves a unique role as a physician assistant (PA). In addition to practicing at Duke University’s Healthy Lifestyles clinic […]

How a REACH PPP Training Inspired PA Marty Nelson to Train Others

by Pauline Bulala

NCAPA recently sat down with Martha “Marty” Nelson, MHS, PA-C, who serves a unique role as a physician assistant (PA). In addition to practicing at Duke University’s Healthy Lifestyles clinic […]

PA Brett Curtis on Being a Reservist in the NDMS

Dec 3, 2024
“I was blown away by the camaraderie of just random people in the community helping each other. These people’s lives were changed irreparably.” –Brett Curtis, PA-C In the wake of […]

PA Brett Curtis on Being a Reservist in the NDMS

by Pauline Bulala

“I was blown away by the camaraderie of just random people in the community helping each other. These people’s lives were changed irreparably.” –Brett Curtis, PA-C In the wake of […]

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with PA Claudia Mendoza

Oct 9, 2024
Working with the Latino population was what motivated me to become a medical professional. I saw from an early age that, especially in the medical field, bilingual providers and translators […]

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with PA Claudia Mendoza

by Pauline Bulala

Working with the Latino population was what motivated me to become a medical professional. I saw from an early age that, especially in the medical field, bilingual providers and translators […]

PA Julie Romeis: From Veterinary Medicine to Psychiatry

Sep 23, 2024
The NCAPA had the honor of sitting down with NC Academy of PAs (NCAPA) Member, psychiatry physician assistant (PA), and recent Summer Conference Speaker, Julie A. Romeis, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry. […]

PA Julie Romeis: From Veterinary Medicine to Psychiatry

by Pauline Bulala

The NCAPA had the honor of sitting down with NC Academy of PAs (NCAPA) Member, psychiatry physician assistant (PA), and recent Summer Conference Speaker, Julie A. Romeis, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry. […]

PA Toni Jackson: Moving to North Carolina for PA Practice

Aug 14, 2024
“Being a PA is more than just medical knowledge. You need to have the soft skills to be successful. My main goal as a PA educator is for students to […]

PA Toni Jackson: Moving to North Carolina for PA Practice

by Pauline Bulala

“Being a PA is more than just medical knowledge. You need to have the soft skills to be successful. My main goal as a PA educator is for students to […]

Lavette Shirley Elee DScPAS, PA-C

PA Lavette Shirley Elee: Author and Nonprofit Founder

Jul 16, 2024
A board-certified physician assistant (PA), founder of a nonprofit, assistant professor, NCAPA Director-at-Large, and a children’s book author – Lavette Shirley Elee, DScPAS, PA-C’s impact on her community and beyond […]

PA Lavette Shirley Elee: Author and Nonprofit Founder

by Pauline Bulala

Lavette Shirley Elee DScPAS, PA-C

A board-certified physician assistant (PA), founder of a nonprofit, assistant professor, NCAPA Director-at-Large, and a children’s book author – Lavette Shirley Elee, DScPAS, PA-C’s impact on her community and beyond […]

How Getting Involved in State Academies Led PA Trey Boyd to NCAPA

Jul 1, 2024
“PAs will always change and evolve as healthcare continues to change and evolve. The big thing I hope to continue to see is for PAs to become the ‘change agents’ […]

How Getting Involved in State Academies Led PA Trey Boyd to NCAPA

by Pauline Bulala

“PAs will always change and evolve as healthcare continues to change and evolve. The big thing I hope to continue to see is for PAs to become the ‘change agents’ […]

PA Alex Leng on the Power of Social Media and PA Mentors

May 28, 2024
“Patients come from all types of underrepresented backgrounds. It is an unexplained bond that occurs when you see community and patients that speak the same language as you and relate […]

PA Alex Leng on the Power of Social Media and PA Mentors

by Pauline Bulala

“Patients come from all types of underrepresented backgrounds. It is an unexplained bond that occurs when you see community and patients that speak the same language as you and relate […]

PA Shay Shaw: “Never Too Late to Lead the Life You Lead”

May 28, 2024
I really am a believer that it is never too late to do the things you really desire to do with your life. I am saying this as a person […]

PA Shay Shaw: “Never Too Late to Lead the Life You Lead”

by Pauline Bulala

I really am a believer that it is never too late to do the things you really desire to do with your life. I am saying this as a person […]

Getting to Know PA Emily Epling, NCAPA Vice President

Apr 23, 2024
“Whether it is in my current administrative role in our system and helping APPs feel supported, or my clinical role, caring for patients and their families – whatever that looks […]

Getting to Know PA Emily Epling, NCAPA Vice President

by Pauline Bulala

“Whether it is in my current administrative role in our system and helping APPs feel supported, or my clinical role, caring for patients and their families – whatever that looks […]

PA Savannah Junkins, from NHSC Scholar to Integrated Behavioral Health

Mar 26, 2024
For the March #IamNCAPA Member Highlight, the NCAPA sat down and spoke with Savannah Junkins, PA-C, MPAS. A West Virginia native and a graduate of the Chatham University PA Program […]

PA Savannah Junkins, from NHSC Scholar to Integrated Behavioral Health

by Pauline Bulala

For the March #IamNCAPA Member Highlight, the NCAPA sat down and spoke with Savannah Junkins, PA-C, MPAS. A West Virginia native and a graduate of the Chatham University PA Program […]

PA Ziad El Tannir, NHSC Scholar to FQHC Provider & Clinical Informaticist

Jan 17, 2024
For the first #IamNCAPA Member Highlight of 2024, the NCAPA sat down and spoke with Ziad El Tannir, PA-C. Ziad is a 2020 graduate of the Wake Forest University PA […]

PA Ziad El Tannir, NHSC Scholar to FQHC Provider & Clinical Informaticist

by Pauline Bulala

For the first #IamNCAPA Member Highlight of 2024, the NCAPA sat down and spoke with Ziad El Tannir, PA-C. Ziad is a 2020 graduate of the Wake Forest University PA […]

PA Julie Niemi’s Journey from Student Membership to Professional PA Member

Dec 18, 2023
For the last edition of #IamNCAPA Member Highlights for 2023, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA) spoke with Family Medicine PA, Julia Niemi, DHSc, MSPH, PA-C, CHES, CPH, […]

PA Julie Niemi’s Journey from Student Membership to Professional PA Member

by Pauline Bulala

For the last edition of #IamNCAPA Member Highlights for 2023, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA) spoke with Family Medicine PA, Julia Niemi, DHSc, MSPH, PA-C, CHES, CPH, […]

Veterans Day Spotlight and an NCAPA Past President, Ercell Tate

Nov 14, 2023
In honor of Veterans Day, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA) recently spoke with Ercell Tate, PA-C, who is a Wake Forest PA Program graduate, NCAPA past president, […]

Veterans Day Spotlight and an NCAPA Past President, Ercell Tate

by Pauline Bulala

In honor of Veterans Day, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA) recently spoke with Ercell Tate, PA-C, who is a Wake Forest PA Program graduate, NCAPA past president, […]

Highlighting the Central Coastal Plains Association of PAs (CCPAPA)

Nov 6, 2023
NCAPA is dedicated to highlighting the work, dedication, and passion shown by PAs and members across the state, especially within our Regional Chapters. Each month starting in September 2023, we […]

Highlighting the Central Coastal Plains Association of PAs (CCPAPA)

by Pauline Bulala

NCAPA is dedicated to highlighting the work, dedication, and passion shown by PAs and members across the state, especially within our Regional Chapters. Each month starting in September 2023, we […]

Christopher Craig, PA-C is the 2023 North Carolina PA of the Year!

Oct 11, 2023
This year, the NCAPA Membership Committee received a record number of submissions and the committee conducted a thorough review of the nominations for this year’s group of very deserving PAs. […]

Christopher Craig, PA-C is the 2023 North Carolina PA of the Year!

by Pauline Bulala

This year, the NCAPA Membership Committee received a record number of submissions and the committee conducted a thorough review of the nominations for this year’s group of very deserving PAs. […]

PA Nicole Burwell: Founding PA Program Director of NC A&T State University

Sep 25, 2023
I have been blessed and fortunate enough to have people who were willing to invest in me.  It’s my responsibility to pay it forward. One of my favorite quotes is […]

PA Nicole Burwell: Founding PA Program Director of NC A&T State University

by Pauline Bulala

I have been blessed and fortunate enough to have people who were willing to invest in me.  It’s my responsibility to pay it forward. One of my favorite quotes is […]

Chief Population Health Officer and PA, Lisa Shock

Aug 29, 2023
“It takes a team to raise a patient. We all do our good parts to improve health, and PAs can give great care, they can diagnose and treat, and can […]

Chief Population Health Officer and PA, Lisa Shock

by Pauline Bulala

“It takes a team to raise a patient. We all do our good parts to improve health, and PAs can give great care, they can diagnose and treat, and can […]

Jeff LaFuria and John Goldfields are both Assistant Medical Directors of the North Carolina Medical Board.

Getting to Know PAs Jeff LaFuria John Goldfield of the NC Medical Board

Jul 17, 2023
The NCAPA sat down with two special guests for the July edition of Member Highlights. For this month, we spoke with Physician Assistants (PAs) Jeff LaFuria, PA-C and John Goldfield, […]

Getting to Know PAs Jeff LaFuria John Goldfield of the NC Medical Board

by Pauline Bulala

Jeff LaFuria and John Goldfields are both Assistant Medical Directors of the North Carolina Medical Board.

The NCAPA sat down with two special guests for the July edition of Member Highlights. For this month, we spoke with Physician Assistants (PAs) Jeff LaFuria, PA-C and John Goldfield, […]

Headshot of Jennifer Holley, PA-C

PA Jennifer Holley: How PA Day at the Legislature Inspired Her to Act

Jun 20, 2023
For June’s #IamNCAPA Member Highlight, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA) sat down with Goldsboro Family Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) and President of the Central Coastal Plains Association […]

PA Jennifer Holley: How PA Day at the Legislature Inspired Her to Act

by Pauline Bulala

Headshot of Jennifer Holley, PA-C

For June’s #IamNCAPA Member Highlight, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA) sat down with Goldsboro Family Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) and President of the Central Coastal Plains Association […]

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 30, 2023
In honor of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the NCAPA is highlighting Bowie Tran, a North Carolina Physician Assistant, Wake Forest University PA Program graduate, and proud […]

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

by Pauline Bulala

In honor of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the NCAPA is highlighting Bowie Tran, a North Carolina Physician Assistant, Wake Forest University PA Program graduate, and proud […]

Getting to Know Wilmington FQHC PA, Israel Mendez

May 15, 2023
For May’s #IamNCAPA Member Highlight, NCAPA sat down with Family Medicine Physician Assistant (PA), Israel Mendez. Team-based care is certainly the way to go and gives patients the best outcomes. […]

Getting to Know Wilmington FQHC PA, Israel Mendez

by Pauline Bulala

For May’s #IamNCAPA Member Highlight, NCAPA sat down with Family Medicine Physician Assistant (PA), Israel Mendez. Team-based care is certainly the way to go and gives patients the best outcomes. […]

How Her Children Inspired PA Jo Hughes to Pursue Medicine

Apr 24, 2023
“I think there are so much more opportunities to utilize the PA services for patients, especially with telehealth and within rural places.” Jo A. Hughes DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-PSY This month’s […]

How Her Children Inspired PA Jo Hughes to Pursue Medicine

by Pauline Bulala

“I think there are so much more opportunities to utilize the PA services for patients, especially with telehealth and within rural places.” Jo A. Hughes DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-PSY This month’s […]

Leading the Way | Lisa Gennosa, PA-C

Mar 15, 2023
Lisa attended UNC Pembroke University and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Biology. After years working in the pharmaceutical industry, Lisa was motivated to find a path that was more […]

Leading the Way | Lisa Gennosa, PA-C

by Pauline Bulala

Lisa attended UNC Pembroke University and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Biology. After years working in the pharmaceutical industry, Lisa was motivated to find a path that was more […]

Leading the Way | Melissa Ricker, DMSc, PA-C

Nov 15, 2022
Melissa Ricker, DMSc, PA-C, grew up in eastern North Carolina and came from a large family of medical professionals, including her mother who was a Family Nurse Practitioner at a […]

Leading the Way | Melissa Ricker, DMSc, PA-C

by Kat

Melissa Ricker, DMSc, PA-C, grew up in eastern North Carolina and came from a large family of medical professionals, including her mother who was a Family Nurse Practitioner at a […]

Leading the Way | LaDonna Clark, DMSc, PA-C

Oct 15, 2022
LaDonna Clark, DMSc, PA-C, always wanted to be a healthcare provider. Due to a close bond with her grandmother who suffered from cardiomyopathy and diabetes, she developed a passion for […]

Leading the Way | LaDonna Clark, DMSc, PA-C

by Kat

LaDonna Clark, DMSc, PA-C, always wanted to be a healthcare provider. Due to a close bond with her grandmother who suffered from cardiomyopathy and diabetes, she developed a passion for […]

Leading the Way | Justin Gambini, DMSc, MSPASc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Sep 13, 2022
North Carolina PAs leading the way. Justin Gambini, DMSc, MSPASc, PA-C, DFAAPA, is the Chair of the NCAPA Student Affairs Committee. Hailing from the mountains of West Virginia, Justin grew […]

Leading the Way | Justin Gambini, DMSc, MSPASc, PA-C, DFAAPA

by Kat

North Carolina PAs leading the way. Justin Gambini, DMSc, MSPASc, PA-C, DFAAPA, is the Chair of the NCAPA Student Affairs Committee. Hailing from the mountains of West Virginia, Justin grew […]

Leading the Way | Andrea McKinnond, PA-C

Aug 9, 2022
North Carolina PAs leading the way. Andrea McKinnond, PA-C, is one of the Co-Chairs of the NCAPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She was born and raised in Fort Pierce, […]

Leading the Way | Andrea McKinnond, PA-C

by Kat

North Carolina PAs leading the way. Andrea McKinnond, PA-C, is one of the Co-Chairs of the NCAPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She was born and raised in Fort Pierce, […]