North Carolina PAs dedicated to patient health while leading the way for the profession.
Mia McDonald, PA-C, is originally from Ona, West Virginia. She attended undergrad at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where she received a B.A. in Journalism. Mia later continued her education and went on to obtain a B.A. in Biology from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, while also completing prerequisites for PA school. Mia attended PA school at the Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, VA. She currently lives in Greensboro, NC, where she is employed by the Wake Forest Emergency Providers and staffs all the emergency departments within the Cone Health hospital system in Greensboro and the surrounding areas.
Mia became involved in leadership within the PA profession early on. She was selected as the Student Leader Fellow for the LGBT Caucus and then served on the AAPA Student Academy as the Chief Delegate for the student delegation to the AAPA House of Delegates. She shares that “these experiences exposed to me to some of the incredible leaders in our profession across the country and inspired me to donate my time back to the PA profession.”
As soon as Mia completed PA school in 2017 and returned to North Carolina, she joined NCAPA. She believes that “we are at an integral time in the PA profession. There is strength in numbers. Joining NCAPA and contributing financially helps promote the PA voice on PA-related legislative efforts in North Carolina.” Mia not only supports NCAPA through her membership, but also donates her time by serving on NCAPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and as an NCAPA elected HOD Delegate Alternate. She sees the value of being a part of NCAPA and hopes that one day, 100% of all PAs in NC will be members.
When asked what she loves most about being a PA, Mia reports: “I love the flexibility of the profession. I have seen fellow PAs tapped to fill important vacancies and need, particularly in New York City at the beginning of the pandemic. I love that as generalists we have the ability to pivot and increase access to healthcare where and when we are needed most.”
Besides Mia’s dedication to NCAPA, she also currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the LBGT PA Caucus and the Vice President of Membership & Development for GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality. She also serves as the Chair of the AAPA Constituent Relations Work Group.
Thank you for leading the way for so many others, Mia. We are grateful for your dedication and commitment to PAs and the profession!
