Thank you to our members, leaders, volunteers, and supporters for an impactful year. As we look forward to the new year, we take a look back at some highlights of 2024, including breakthroughs in leadership, education, outreach, and more.



by Pauline Bulala

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 Hurricane Helene, emerging from the images of its destruction and devastation in Western North Carolina, were stories of heroes and community members coming together as […]

by Pauline Bulala

Giving Tuesday is celebrated today, December 3, 2024. Give back this #GivingTuesday and support PA student scholarships, community-based projects driven by PAs, PA students, and changemakers, and so much more. The Joyce Nichols Memorial Community Grant is one of many philanthropic resources offered through the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates Endowment. The grant is designed to foster knowledge […]

by Pauline Bulala

NCAPA has been identifying PA needs and barriers to providing patient care in Western NC and communicating this information to the North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB). In response to the Governor’s Executive Order encouraging regulatory bodies to provide additional flexibility to expand the healthcare workforce, the NCMB has suspended supervision requirements for PAs working and […]

by Pauline Bulala

On October 8, 2024, the NCAPA hosted a convening of PA leaders from across the state at the Stead Center in Durham. The participants started the morning with a coffee hour and scavenger hunt to break the ice and help them get to know their fellow PA leaders. Activities for the day included learning about […]

by Pauline Bulala

This year, the NCAPA Membership and Marketing Committee received a number of submissions and the committee conducted a thorough review of the nominations for this year’s group of very deserving PAs. We are so excited to announce that the 2024 PA of the Year is… Emily Epling, MA, PA-C PA Epling has been a PA for 30 years. […]

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 were very limited. -Claudia Mendoza, PA-C For National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15th), the NCAPA celebrates the contributions and dedication of PAs […]

by Emily Adams

It is difficult to believe the images that we are seeing of the North Carolina Mountains and the surrounding areas. The level of destruction is staggering, and the recovery efforts have only begun. Some of our members are still without power, internet, and other supplies, and we are keeping them in our hearts and prayers. […]

by Pauline Bulala

Written by Joshua Penninger, PA-C and Lindsey Ahearn, PA-S Last week, NCAPA members traveled to Washington, DC to attend AAPA’s Leadership & Advocacy Summit. This year, the conference hosted 178 PAs and PA Students with 36 different states represented and 104 first-time attendees. The conference started with advocacy training, followed by attendees heading to Capitol […]

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. Dr. Romeis, a board-certified PA and a graduate of the PA program at the University of Lynchburg, is also a graduate of Lynchburg’s Doctor of […]

by Pauline Bulala

by Pauline Bulala

Did you know? World Marrow Donor Day is September 21st, 2024, and celebrates those that say “yes” to joining the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry, to donating blood stem cells, and raising funds and awareness of the program. NCAPA had the honor of speaking with a marrow donor, close to home and close […]

by Pauline Bulala

The 48th Annual NCAPA Summer Conference was recently held at the Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach, SC this past week! PAs & NPs from across the country came together to discuss innovative topics, hone their skills with hands-on workshops, and earn high-quality CME. Sunday Night Reception Situated right on the Myrtle Beach shore, in-person attendees […]

by Pauline Bulala

by Pauline Bulala

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 is profound, and the NCAPA is excited to be spotlighting her accomplishments in July’s edition of “I am NCAPA” Member Highlights. Professor Elee currently […]

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’ of healthcare, especially in North Carolina.” – Trey Boyd, DMSc, MSM, PA-C With his avid involvement in many different state academies, healthcare organizations, free clinics, […]

by Pauline Bulala

“As we continue our journey as a ‘Best Place to Care,’ opportunities like these illustrate our commitment to a work environment where APPs can flourish personally, clinically, and professionally,” states PA Bridges. The NCAPA Employer Group Relationship benefit makes it quick and convenient for organizations and employers to purchase memberships for all employed PAs at […]
by Pauline Bulala
MAY 15, 2024 2024 PA Day at the NC Legislature NCAPA’s 2024 advocacy day, PA Day at the Legislature, was the largest attendance to date, with 150+ practicing PAs and PA students traveling to Raleigh, NC from across the state. The goal? To not only spread awareness and recognition of the PA profession, but to […]

by Pauline Bulala

Across North Carolina, PA students have been leading the way in spearheading legislative visits with the goal of spreading awareness of the PA profession to state legislators. PA students have been inviting North Carolina Representatives, Senators, and candidates to tour their PA program facilities and classrooms, while engaging in robust discussions about the PA profession. […]

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 with you on core experiences that you share. That level of trust carries them through their entire patient experience.” -Alex Leng, PA-C For May’s monthly […]

by Pauline Bulala

by Pauline Bulala

It’s up to us as healthcare workers to advocate for ourselves and peers, to help ensure everyone goes home to their family at the end of their workday.” -Jennifer Holley, PA-C Face-to-Face with Workplace Violence The NCAPA recently interviewed member and Central Coastal Plains Association of PAs President, Jennifer Holley, PA-C, on her harrowing experience […]

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 like, I love helping people live their best lives.” -Emily Epling, MA, PA-C For the April #IamNCAPA Member Highlight, the NCAPA is spotlighting the new […]
by Pauline Bulala
NCAPA was proud to host the second annual HBCU Pre-PA Fair this past Saturday, April 6, at the Stead Center. Pre-PA students from North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) traveled to Durham, where the day was full of intentional learning about the profession, eye-opening discussions with practicing PAs and PA students, and meaningful connections with […]

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 in Pittsburgh, Junkins has been a PA for over thirteen years. She is currently the Director of Integrated Behavioral Health at Freedom Hill Community Health […]

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. The NCAPA has been highlighting these Regional Chapters, and spotlighting their goals and events. This month, we are highlighting the Triangle Area Physician Assistants (TAPA)! As stated by TAPA President, Hayley Knostman, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, […]

by Pauline Bulala

“Life is a precious gift, and we never fully know the length of that gift. My friend, Mufiyda would encourage all to always attempt to serve others and to never stop dancing!” Truett Smith, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA “Some people just make the world a better place! Mufiyda was one of those people. I first met […]

by Pauline Bulala

The NCAPA is a nonpartisan, membership organization that serves and represents PAs in the state, and advocates for the PA profession within North Carolina. The North Carolina Academy of PAs (NCAPA) is interviewing current NCAPA members who are running for office, and this week, the NCAPA had the opportunity to talk with Mark Hollo. Hollo […]

by Pauline Bulala

“Representation in medicine is essential. The ability of a provider to mirror their patients and understand their lived experiences gives them the ability to facilitate communication and build trust. By understanding the system of medicine, I can better advocate for my future patients and their medical needs. Diversifying the PA profession will help improve the […]

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 Program, and is currently practicing in Family Medicine. He was also a participant of Wake Forest’s Emerging Leaders Program, a three-year program consisting of earning […]

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, BC-ADM. With her role as a board-certified PA in Advanced Diabetes Management, PA Niemi also teaches quarterly diabetes education classes at the community health center […]

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, and proud veteran. The NCAPA had the honor of reflecting with PA Tate, who was the third president of the organization, on his early years […]

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 are highlighting one Regional Chapter, spotlight their goals and events, as well as highlight a specific member/members from that chapter. This month, we are highlighting […]

by Pauline Bulala

As part of the 2023 PA Week Celebration from Oct. 6 through Oct. 12, the NCAPA is highlighting NCAPA Members and North Carolina PAs Going Beyond at *every stage* of their PA career, from being a Pre-PA, to PA student, to Early Career PA, to having been a practicing PA for over 20 years – and everything in […]

by Pauline Bulala

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. We are so excited to announce that the 2023 NC PA of the Year is Christopher Craig, PA-C! PA Craig started his long career of […]
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November 14, 10 am – 3 pm
