NCAPA

North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates

PA Profession

Leading the Way | Brandon Blank, PA-C

Feb 7, 2020
NCAPA is a leader. But we couldn’t do it without the PAs among us dedicated to leading the way. Brandon Blank was born and raised in Colorado. He was very active in sports as a child, leading him to pursue an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. After undergrad, he […]

Leading the Way | Brandon Blank, PA-C

by Kat

NCAPA is a leader. But we couldn’t do it without the PAs among us dedicated to leading the way. Brandon Blank was born and raised in Colorado. He was very active in sports as a child, leading him to pursue an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. After undergrad, he […]

Public Health Alert | Coronavirus

Feb 5, 2020
NC DHHS on Monday released updated clinical guidance on 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The agency also issued a temporary order requiring clinicians to report suspected or confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV to the health director in their county or district. NC DHHS is advising clinicians in North Carolina to monitor this rapidly evolving situation closely. For […]

Public Health Alert | Coronavirus

by Kat

NC DHHS on Monday released updated clinical guidance on 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The agency also issued a temporary order requiring clinicians to report suspected or confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV to the health director in their county or district. NC DHHS is advising clinicians in North Carolina to monitor this rapidly evolving situation closely. For […]

Leading the Way | Brian J. Robinson, MS, MPAS, PA-C

Jan 6, 2020
With the beginning of the new year, NCAPA is highlighting new faces. Leadership is so important to the PA profession, so we wanted to take an opportunity to introduce you to some great PA leaders among us, right here in North Carolina. And with that, our highlighted leader this month is Brian Robinson, MS, MPAS, […]

Leading the Way | Brian J. Robinson, MS, MPAS, PA-C

by Kat

With the beginning of the new year, NCAPA is highlighting new faces. Leadership is so important to the PA profession, so we wanted to take an opportunity to introduce you to some great PA leaders among us, right here in North Carolina. And with that, our highlighted leader this month is Brian Robinson, MS, MPAS, […]

Primary Care Transformation Fellowship Accepting Applications for Second Cohort

Nov 25, 2019
from Duke Family Medicine and Community Health The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health is accepting applications to fill the second cohort of a two-year Primary Care Transformation Fellowship, which begins July 1, 2020. The goal of the fellowship is to train physicians and physician assistants to lead health care transformation and improve health […]

Primary Care Transformation Fellowship Accepting Applications for Second Cohort

by Kat

from Duke Family Medicine and Community Health The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health is accepting applications to fill the second cohort of a two-year Primary Care Transformation Fellowship, which begins July 1, 2020. The goal of the fellowship is to train physicians and physician assistants to lead health care transformation and improve health […]

I Am NCAPA | Molly Calabria

Nov 6, 2019
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our November I Am NCAPA highlighted member is Molly Calabria. Molly has been involved with NCAPA ever since she was a student in the Campbell University PA program in 2012. She currently lives in Fuquay Varina with her […]

I Am NCAPA | Molly Calabria

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our November I Am NCAPA highlighted member is Molly Calabria. Molly has been involved with NCAPA ever since she was a student in the Campbell University PA program in 2012. She currently lives in Fuquay Varina with her […]

I Am NCAPA | 2019 PA of the Year, Carole Holt, PA-C

Oct 7, 2019
Carole Holt, PA-C, has been named the 2019 NCAPA PA of the Year! The timing of the award couldn’t be better this year, as we find ourselves in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Carole spent many years treating individuals with breast cancer with great compassion and expert care. Carole just retired this year, […]

I Am NCAPA | 2019 PA of the Year, Carole Holt, PA-C

by Kat

Carole Holt, PA-C, has been named the 2019 NCAPA PA of the Year! The timing of the award couldn’t be better this year, as we find ourselves in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Carole spent many years treating individuals with breast cancer with great compassion and expert care. Carole just retired this year, […]

NCAPA Election Results are in! | 2020 Board of Directors and Nominating Committee

Oct 4, 2019
Thank you to everyone who voted in the recent election to elect our 2020 Board of Directors and Nominating Committee members. The results are in! The elected are: President-Elect: Elyse Watkins, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA Treasurer: Ryan Vann, PA-C Directors at Large: Meg Beal, PA-C Molly Calabria, PA-C Alexandra Godfrey, PA-C Nominating Committee Member: Truett Smith, […]

NCAPA Election Results are in! | 2020 Board of Directors and Nominating Committee

by Kat

Thank you to everyone who voted in the recent election to elect our 2020 Board of Directors and Nominating Committee members. The results are in! The elected are: President-Elect: Elyse Watkins, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA Treasurer: Ryan Vann, PA-C Directors at Large: Meg Beal, PA-C Molly Calabria, PA-C Alexandra Godfrey, PA-C Nominating Committee Member: Truett Smith, […]

I Am NCAPA | Mark Belligan

Jun 3, 2019
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our June I Am NCAPA member highlight is Mark Belligan. Mark attended the Eastern Virginia Medical School Physician Assistant Program and has been a Fellow member of NCAPA since 2016. He specializes in Family Practice in is currently employed […]

I Am NCAPA | Mark Belligan

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our June I Am NCAPA member highlight is Mark Belligan. Mark attended the Eastern Virginia Medical School Physician Assistant Program and has been a Fellow member of NCAPA since 2016. He specializes in Family Practice in is currently employed […]

NC PA Program Highlight | Wake Forest University

May 21, 2019
by Carolyn Avila-Duran, PA-S, Wake Forest The Wake Forest School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program is proud to celebrate 50 years of education! The mission of the Wake Forest PA Program is to produce highly capable, compassionate PAs who deliver patient-centered care, make significant contributions to the health care community and continually advance the PA […]

NC PA Program Highlight | Wake Forest University

by Kat

by Carolyn Avila-Duran, PA-S, Wake Forest The Wake Forest School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program is proud to celebrate 50 years of education! The mission of the Wake Forest PA Program is to produce highly capable, compassionate PAs who deliver patient-centered care, make significant contributions to the health care community and continually advance the PA […]

2019 NC MedAssist Luncheon Provides Food and Inspiration

May 9, 2019
On Thursday, May 2, NCAPA PA members and staff joined medical professionals from across the state to attend the 2019 NC MedAssist Executive Luncheon in Raleigh. NC MedAssist is a Charlotte-based nonprofit that seeks to bridge the healthcare gap by providing free prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to low-income North Carolinians. The keynote speaker for the […]

2019 NC MedAssist Luncheon Provides Food and Inspiration

by Kat

On Thursday, May 2, NCAPA PA members and staff joined medical professionals from across the state to attend the 2019 NC MedAssist Executive Luncheon in Raleigh. NC MedAssist is a Charlotte-based nonprofit that seeks to bridge the healthcare gap by providing free prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to low-income North Carolinians. The keynote speaker for the […]

I Am NCAPA | Kat Dancel

May 1, 2019
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our May I Am NCAPA member highlight is Kat Dancel, MPH, PA-C. Kat went to PA school at Campbell University and has been a member of NCAPA ever since. She specializes in Family Medicine in a clinic serving patients […]

I Am NCAPA | Kat Dancel

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our May I Am NCAPA member highlight is Kat Dancel, MPH, PA-C. Kat went to PA school at Campbell University and has been a member of NCAPA ever since. She specializes in Family Medicine in a clinic serving patients […]

2019 PA Day at the NC Legislature

Apr 24, 2019
By Caroline Griswold, NCAPA Program Coordinator On April 10th, 34 practicing PAs and PA students, along with NCAPA staff, gathered at the Stead Center in Durham to prepare for the 4th Annual PA Day at the NC Legislature. The day started with a crash course on legislative advocacy, presented by NCAPA Executive Director Emily Adams […]

2019 PA Day at the NC Legislature

by Kat

By Caroline Griswold, NCAPA Program Coordinator On April 10th, 34 practicing PAs and PA students, along with NCAPA staff, gathered at the Stead Center in Durham to prepare for the 4th Annual PA Day at the NC Legislature. The day started with a crash course on legislative advocacy, presented by NCAPA Executive Director Emily Adams […]

Special Issue of NC Medical Journal on Newborn Screening

Apr 22, 2019
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC— RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, and the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) published North Carolina Medical Journal’s special January-February issue focused on newborn screening. The issue is devoted to the challenges that newborn screening will face and the opportunities newborn screening presents to advance the health of newborns.   […]

Special Issue of NC Medical Journal on Newborn Screening

by Kat

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC— RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, and the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) published North Carolina Medical Journal’s special January-February issue focused on newborn screening. The issue is devoted to the challenges that newborn screening will face and the opportunities newborn screening presents to advance the health of newborns.   […]

NC PA Program Highlight | Campbell University

Apr 3, 2019
by Dawn McGuire, PA-S, Campbell University Campbell University’s Physician Assistant Program is a 24-month graduate degree program and matriculated its first class in 2013.  Centered on the core values of faith, learning and service, Campbell’s PA program prepares students to be compassionate, competent and professional health care providers. We are also proud to say that […]

NC PA Program Highlight | Campbell University

by Kat

by Dawn McGuire, PA-S, Campbell University Campbell University’s Physician Assistant Program is a 24-month graduate degree program and matriculated its first class in 2013.  Centered on the core values of faith, learning and service, Campbell’s PA program prepares students to be compassionate, competent and professional health care providers. We are also proud to say that […]

I Am NCAPA | Rebecca McGowan

Apr 2, 2019
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our April I Am NCAPA member highlight is Rebecca McGowan. Rebecca went to PA school in New York, at Bayley Seton Hospital. The Bayley Seton program became the St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center program, which has now become […]

I Am NCAPA | Rebecca McGowan

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our April I Am NCAPA member highlight is Rebecca McGowan. Rebecca went to PA school in New York, at Bayley Seton Hospital. The Bayley Seton program became the St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center program, which has now become […]

I Am NCAPA | Sam Aloian

Mar 12, 2019
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our March I Am NCAPA member highlight is Sam Aloian. Sam is a graduate of the Duke University PA program. He currently specializes in Psychiatry and has recently been selected as the NCAPA liaison to the NC Physician’s Health […]

I Am NCAPA | Sam Aloian

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our March I Am NCAPA member highlight is Sam Aloian. Sam is a graduate of the Duke University PA program. He currently specializes in Psychiatry and has recently been selected as the NCAPA liaison to the NC Physician’s Health […]

NC PA Program Highlight | Duke University

Mar 5, 2019
by Kiarash P. Rahmanian, MPH, PA-S, Duke University The Duke University Physician Assistant Program is a 24-month long program and the birthplace of the PA profession, beginning in 1965 under the leadership of Dr. Eugene Stead. The first class of three PAs, Victor Germino, Kenneth Ferrell and Richard Scheele, graduated from Duke University on October 6th, 1967. Today, the Duke PA class […]

NC PA Program Highlight | Duke University

by Kat

by Kiarash P. Rahmanian, MPH, PA-S, Duke University The Duke University Physician Assistant Program is a 24-month long program and the birthplace of the PA profession, beginning in 1965 under the leadership of Dr. Eugene Stead. The first class of three PAs, Victor Germino, Kenneth Ferrell and Richard Scheele, graduated from Duke University on October 6th, 1967. Today, the Duke PA class […]

I Am NCAPA | Kenneth Blanton

Jan 3, 2019
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Happy New Year! January’s I Am NCAPA member highlight is Kenneth Blanton. Kenneth is a graduate of Bowman Gray, also known as the Wake Forest University PA program. He has been a member since 2009 and currently lives […]

I Am NCAPA | Kenneth Blanton

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Happy New Year! January’s I Am NCAPA member highlight is Kenneth Blanton. Kenneth is a graduate of Bowman Gray, also known as the Wake Forest University PA program. He has been a member since 2009 and currently lives […]

I Am NCAPA | Alyse Moses-Lebron

Dec 5, 2018
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. This month’s member highlight is Alyse Moses-Lebron. Alyse is a graduate of UNC’s PA program and was the recipient of the 2017 scholarship earmarked for a UNC Physician Assistant Studies student from the NCAPA Endowment. The scholarship recognized Moses-Lebron’s […]

I Am NCAPA | Alyse Moses-Lebron

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. This month’s member highlight is Alyse Moses-Lebron. Alyse is a graduate of UNC’s PA program and was the recipient of the 2017 scholarship earmarked for a UNC Physician Assistant Studies student from the NCAPA Endowment. The scholarship recognized Moses-Lebron’s […]

Duke PA Program | Opioids and MAT Training

Nov 29, 2018
Under the leadership of Jacqueline S. Barnett, DHSc, MSHS, PA-C, Program Director and Principal Investigator, the Duke Physician Assistant Program is offering opportunities for students and clinicians to expand their knowledge and skills related to caring for patients with an opioid use disorder. Using federal grant funds, the PA Program created three modules – Safe […]

Duke PA Program | Opioids and MAT Training

by Kat

Under the leadership of Jacqueline S. Barnett, DHSc, MSHS, PA-C, Program Director and Principal Investigator, the Duke Physician Assistant Program is offering opportunities for students and clinicians to expand their knowledge and skills related to caring for patients with an opioid use disorder. Using federal grant funds, the PA Program created three modules – Safe […]

I Am NCAPA | Angela Duke

Nov 1, 2018
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. This month’s member highlight is Angela Duke. Angela is a graduate of Wake Forest University’s PA program and is currently employed at Moses Cone in Cardiology, at CHMG HeartCare. Angela has been a member of NCAPA since 2013 […]

I Am NCAPA | Angela Duke

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. This month’s member highlight is Angela Duke. Angela is a graduate of Wake Forest University’s PA program and is currently employed at Moses Cone in Cardiology, at CHMG HeartCare. Angela has been a member of NCAPA since 2013 […]

The Stock Yards

Oct 9, 2018
by Alexandra Godfrey, PA-C The following piece received a 2018 Section of Medical Humanities Writing Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).  The pieces considered for the award were chosen blindly, so the author was unknown at the time of reading. What the ACEP didn’t realize is that they chose the same author who […]

The Stock Yards

by Kat

by Alexandra Godfrey, PA-C The following piece received a 2018 Section of Medical Humanities Writing Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).  The pieces considered for the award were chosen blindly, so the author was unknown at the time of reading. What the ACEP didn’t realize is that they chose the same author who […]

I Am NCAPA | Cameron Holman

Oct 1, 2018
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. This month’s member highlight is Cameron Holman, whom we met during an OTP Listening session in Wilmington. He is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University’s PA program. Cameron is a member of NCAPA because he wants “to […]

I Am NCAPA | Cameron Holman

by Kat

Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. This month’s member highlight is Cameron Holman, whom we met during an OTP Listening session in Wilmington. He is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University’s PA program. Cameron is a member of NCAPA because he wants “to […]

I Am NCAPA | Claudia Diaz

Sep 4, 2018
  NCAPA is launching a campaign to focus on the extraordinary PAs throughout the state who provide quality healthcare while also maintaining membership in NCAPA. Our “I am NCAPA” begins this month and will run throughout all of 2019. We want to share why you love being a PA and why membership in your state […]

I Am NCAPA | Claudia Diaz

by Kat

  NCAPA is launching a campaign to focus on the extraordinary PAs throughout the state who provide quality healthcare while also maintaining membership in NCAPA. Our “I am NCAPA” begins this month and will run throughout all of 2019. We want to share why you love being a PA and why membership in your state […]

Interview with Varnell McDonald-Fletcher, PA-C, of the NC Medical Board

Aug 30, 2018
 NCAPA interviews Varnell McDonald-Fletcher, the PA that sits on the NC Medical Board.   Why did you decide to pursue service on the NC Medical Board? I would like to state that I am truly honored to have been appointed by Governor Roy Cooper as a board member to the North Carolina Medical Board. I […]

Interview with Varnell McDonald-Fletcher, PA-C, of the NC Medical Board

by Kat

 NCAPA interviews Varnell McDonald-Fletcher, the PA that sits on the NC Medical Board.   Why did you decide to pursue service on the NC Medical Board? I would like to state that I am truly honored to have been appointed by Governor Roy Cooper as a board member to the North Carolina Medical Board. I […]

NCAPA and the NC Biotechnology Center are Partnering to Promote Innovation Among PAs.

Aug 8, 2018
The NCAPA website has a new page on PAs and Innovation to provide valuable information for PAs regarding the “Problem to Product” process. See more information here.

NCAPA and the NC Biotechnology Center are Partnering to Promote Innovation Among PAs.

by Kat

The NCAPA website has a new page on PAs and Innovation to provide valuable information for PAs regarding the “Problem to Product” process. See more information here.

PAs Eligible for Reimbursement of Suboxone/Buprenorphine Training

Jun 4, 2018
Duke has received a grant from HRSA to provide reimbursements for PAs and other clinicians who wish to complete the online MAT waiver training. This project is designed to enhance primary care training and address the opioid crisis in many communities. PAs in North Carolina are invited to apply for this  opportunity which will them […]

PAs Eligible for Reimbursement of Suboxone/Buprenorphine Training

by Kat

Duke has received a grant from HRSA to provide reimbursements for PAs and other clinicians who wish to complete the online MAT waiver training. This project is designed to enhance primary care training and address the opioid crisis in many communities. PAs in North Carolina are invited to apply for this  opportunity which will them […]

PAs Vote to Advance Profession to Meet Modern Healthcare Needs

May 22, 2017
LAS VEGAS (May 18, 2017) — At the annual conference of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), members of its House of Delegates unanimously approved Optimal Team Practice, a new policy intended to enhance the ability of PAs to meet the needs of patients and ensure the future of the profession in a changing healthcare […]

PAs Vote to Advance Profession to Meet Modern Healthcare Needs

by Kat

LAS VEGAS (May 18, 2017) — At the annual conference of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), members of its House of Delegates unanimously approved Optimal Team Practice, a new policy intended to enhance the ability of PAs to meet the needs of patients and ensure the future of the profession in a changing healthcare […]

UW MEDEX Founder Dr. Richard A. Smith Honored

Feb 9, 2017
“On January 1st, 2017, President Barack Obama honored Richard A. Smith, MD, a founding father of the Physician Assistant profession, for his many contributions in the areas of PA education, racial desegregation and global health.  Dr. Smith has devoted his lifetime to the cause of improving access to basic healthcare in urban, rural and underserved […]

UW MEDEX Founder Dr. Richard A. Smith Honored

by Kat

“On January 1st, 2017, President Barack Obama honored Richard A. Smith, MD, a founding father of the Physician Assistant profession, for his many contributions in the areas of PA education, racial desegregation and global health.  Dr. Smith has devoted his lifetime to the cause of improving access to basic healthcare in urban, rural and underserved […]

PA Ranked Best Job in America

Oct 1, 2015
Physician assistants have the best job in America right now based on the number of job openings, earning potential and career opportunities, according to career site Glassdoor.  Read the full article here.

PA Ranked Best Job in America

by Kat

Physician assistants have the best job in America right now based on the number of job openings, earning potential and career opportunities, according to career site Glassdoor.  Read the full article here.

The Role of PAs Grow in a Changing Healthcare System

Jul 27, 2015
USA News story, “EKGs, X-rays and heart procedures — the role of non-physicians grows” reports: Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are a fast-growing part of the medical marketplace, getting paid more often for procedures people generally associate with doctors, such as electrocardiograms, pelvic exams and even helping with heart bypasses, a USA TODAY analysis of […]

The Role of PAs Grow in a Changing Healthcare System

by Kat

USA News story, “EKGs, X-rays and heart procedures — the role of non-physicians grows” reports: Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are a fast-growing part of the medical marketplace, getting paid more often for procedures people generally associate with doctors, such as electrocardiograms, pelvic exams and even helping with heart bypasses, a USA TODAY analysis of […]