The NCAPA Endowment congratulates Anna LeViere as the recipient of the 2019 Student Grant for a PA student from Campbell University. Anna earned her baccalaureate degree in International Studies/Global Health and Chemistry from UNC-Chapel Hill. She attained academic accolades while also volunteering in a variety of areas, including high school student counseling, foreign service trips, […]
NCAPA News
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Erin Diggs, Lenoir-Rhyne University
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Erin Diggs, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Congratulations to Erin Diggs as the recipient of the NCAPA Endowment 2019 Student Grant for a PA student from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Erin earned a Nutrition Science degree from NC State University and worked in multiple health fields prior to PA school. She also volunteered with the Special Olympics, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and the Miracle League, while also […]
The Piedmont Association of PAs 2020 Board of Directors
The Piedmont Association of PAs 2020 Board of Directors
The Piedmont Association of Physician Assistants (PAPA) is pleased to announce the following PAs have been elected to serve on its Board of Directors during 2020: President: John Cain, PA-CVice President: Allie Thompson, PA-CTreasurer: Brandon Blank, PA-CSecretary: Carrie Merritt, PA-C Director at Large (2 Year Term Ending in 12/2021): Sunnie Flowers, PA-C These newly elected […]
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Geoff Jones, Wake Forest University
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Geoff Jones, Wake Forest University
Geoff Jones, PA student from Wake Forest School of Medicine, is the 2019 recipient of the Thomas Benjamin Houck NCAPA Endowment Student Grant. Geoff was a self-described “non-traditional” undergraduate student who developed a love of learning and a dedication to science and medicine as he completed, Summa Cum Laude, his BS degree in Biology […]
2020 PA Program Update | Lenoir-Rhyne University
2020 PA Program Update | Lenoir-Rhyne University
by Arien Stebbins, PA-S, Lenoir-Rhyne Lenoir-Rhyne PA Studies Class of 2021 After a refreshing winter break, Lenoir-Rhyne PA program classes resumed on January 13th. The program welcomed 36 new students beginning their first semester, comprising the class of 2022. The class of 2021 returned to finish their last semester of didactic courses as they eagerly […]
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Jacqueline Moreda, Gardner-Webb University
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Jacqueline Moreda, Gardner-Webb University
Jacqueline Moreda is the recipient of the NCAPA Endowment 2019 Student Grant for a PA student at Gardner-Webb University. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Exercise Physiology and volunteered in multiple areas, including college student mentoring, leadership groups, and at local hospitals and care centers. She gained experience as a […]
NC Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee Summit
NC Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee Summit
by Caroline Griswold, NCAPA Program Coordinator On Friday, December 13, 2019, NCAPA staff attended the quarterly North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services NC Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee (OPDAAC) summit at NC State University. The theme of the winter summit was Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Harm Reduction in Jails. The […]

Leading the Way | Brian J. Robinson, MS, MPAS, PA-C
Leading the Way | Brian J. Robinson, MS, MPAS, PA-C
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, […]
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Meredith Abernethy, Elon University
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Meredith Abernethy, Elon University
Congratulations to PA student Meredith Abernethy for receiving the NCAPA Endowment 2019 Student Grant for Elon University. Meredith attended NC State University, where she majored in Biological Sciences-Human Biology, and participated in various community service projects and the Pre-PA club. She participated in a medical service trip to Guatemala, which she describes as being a […]
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Michael Gorman-Smith, Wingate University
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Michael Gorman-Smith, Wingate University
Michael Gorman-Smith is the NCAPA Endowment Student Grant recipient from the Wingate University PA Program. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Rhode Island with dual majors in Kinesiology and Biology, while also immersing himself in the campus Emergency Medical Service as an EMT. His volunteer service during PA school includes his role as […]
2019 Recipient of Lanny Parker Memorial Fund | Mia McDonald, PA-C
2019 Recipient of Lanny Parker Memorial Fund | Mia McDonald, PA-C
by Mia McDonald, PA-C I was fortunate to attend the AAPA 2019 Leadership and Advocacy Summit (LAS) in Alexandria, VA earlier this year thanks in part to the Lanny Parker Memorial Fund. Since 2004, the NCAPA Endowment’s Lanny Parker Memorial Fund has provided financial support for PA and PA students to attend events or initiatives […]
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Brenna McManus, UNC
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Brenna McManus, UNC
Brenna McManus is the NCAPA Endowment Student Grant recipient from the UNC-Chapel Hill PA Program. Prior to PA school, Brenna graduated with honors from UNC with a major in Biology and Global Studies and minor in Chemistry. She developed an interest in medicine and the PA profession while working at UNC Hospitals during her undergraduate […]
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Victoria Sanchez, Methodist University
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Victoria Sanchez, Methodist University
Congratulations to PA student Victoria Sanchez for receiving the NCAPA Endowment 2019 Student Grant for Methodist University. Prior to PA school, Victoria graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Biology and minor in Chemistry and Psychology. She expresses strong devotion to the life-long learning required for PAs and to health maintenance and wellness. Her career […]
Reach Out and Read During Pediatric Checkups
Reach Out and Read During Pediatric Checkups
by Veronica Acevedo, PA-C,Lincoln Community Health Center As a physician assistant, I, along with doctors and nurse practitioners, incorporate Reach Out and Read‘s evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud, snuggling and making moments together. Reach Out and Read helps move primary care to a more comprehensive, […]
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Taylor Poe, ECU
2019 NCAPA Endowment Student Grant Winner | Taylor Poe, ECU
The board of the NCAPA Endowment extends its congratulations to 2019 scholarship recipient Taylor Poe from the East Carolina University PA program. Taylor attended Virginia Tech, earning dual degrees in both Psychology and Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. As an undergraduate, she worked with recovery efforts for people who suffered adult and child trauma. In […]

I Am NCAPA | Morgan Dailey is Leading the Way!
I Am NCAPA | Morgan Dailey is Leading the Way!
As we head into 2020, our last I Am NCAPA member highlight of the year is on an individual that we feel certain will be leading the way to strengthening and growing the PA profession in North Carolina. Morgan Dailey is originally from Fayetteville, NC, and is currently a PA student at Campbell University. She […]
Primary Care Transformation Fellowship Accepting Applications for Second Cohort
Primary Care Transformation Fellowship Accepting Applications for Second Cohort
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 […]
The 2019 NCAPA Student Leadership Retreat
The 2019 NCAPA Student Leadership Retreat
by Caroline Griswold, NCAPA Program Coordinator The 2019 NCAPA Student Leadership Retreat was held at the Stead Center on Saturday, November 16. 58 students and 11 guests attended, representing all 11 NC PA programs. The day, which was emceed by Student Affairs Committee Chair Molly Calabria, PA-C, began with a medical bingo icebreaker from NCAPA […]
NC PA Program Highlight | Wingate University
NC PA Program Highlight | Wingate University
by Delaney Brummer, PA-S The mission of the Wingate University Physician Assistant Program is “dedicated to developing educated, productive and ethical physician assistants to serve the healthcare needs of the community in which they practice.” The inaugural class for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at Wingate University matriculated in August 2008, and […]
I Am NCAPA | Molly Calabria
I Am NCAPA | Molly Calabria
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
I Am NCAPA | 2019 PA of the Year, Carole Holt, PA-C
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
NCAPA Election Results are in! | 2020 Board of Directors and Nominating Committee
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, […]
NC PA Program Highlight | Methodist University
NC PA Program Highlight | Methodist University
by Jamaica Sykes, PA-S, Methodist University Longstanding History The Methodist University Physician Assistant Program (MUPAP) began as a Bachelor of Science program in 1996 with only 4 students. It is now a 27-month master’s program that enrolls 40 students per cohort. Since the graduation of our inaugural class in 1998, MUPAP has graduated more than […]
Be Antibiotics Aware Campaign
Be Antibiotics Aware Campaign
from Deborah Dolan, BS, Health Educator Surveillance for Healthcare Associated Resistant Pathogens Patient Safety (SHARPPS) Program, Be Antibiotics Aware Campaign Communicable Disease Branch, NC Division of Public Health The “Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care Campaign” is CDC’s national educational effort to improve antibiotic prescribing by healthcare providers, educate the public on appropriate use of […]
NC PA Program Highlight | Elon University
NC PA Program Highlight | Elon University
by Larry McCauley, PA-S, Elon University Elon University’s 24-month, full-time PA program prepares graduates to think critically and act skillfully to meet expanding health care needs in local and global communities. Students immerse themselves in a curriculum structured around active learning strategies through collaborative work with Elon’s faculty, scholars, and practitioners in the field. Students […]
I Am NCAPA | Mylinda Worthy
I Am NCAPA | Mylinda Worthy
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Since 1976, NCAPA has been advocating for and strengthening PA practice rights in North Carolina. We couldn’t do much of this without our dedicated PA members. But, you may not realize, we also have a large segment of […]
Medicaid Managed Care Tools and Resources
Medicaid Managed Care Tools and Resources
The Department of Health and Human Services has created some tools and resources to transition Medicaid providers, and to help patients who are moving to Medicaid Managed Care: New Provider Playbook. DHHS has launched an online “Provider Playbook” to ensure you have at your fingertips the latest information on managed care, including communications and materials […]
NC PA Program Highlight | High Point University
NC PA Program Highlight | High Point University
by Dakota Griffin, PA-S, High Point University High point Mayor visits HPU to declare National PA Day ordinance. Preparing Students for Healthcare of the Future High Point University’s PA program was founded in 2014 under the leadership of Linda Sekhon, DHSc, PA-C. The program is one of the newer PA educational programs in North Carolina, […]
I Am NCAPA | Amy Thompson
I Am NCAPA | Amy Thompson
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our August I Am NCAPA highlighted member is Amy Thompson. Amy has been a member of NCAPA since 2000. She currently works for WakeMed, specializes in Cardiology. Amy is a true team player, stating “I love caring for patients […]
North Carolina AHEC Provides Practice Support
North Carolina AHEC Provides Practice Support
NC AHEC Practice Support provides free on-site assistance to any PA or practice that needs help with: Quality improvement (PCMH, MACRA, MIPS, QPP, etc.); EMR evaluation/optimization/selection; Workflow redesign; Practice needs assessments; Medicaid managed care transformation; NC Health Connex education; EHR data retrieval and analytics, and Continuing professional development. See an overview of the NC AHEC […]
NC PA Program Highlight | East Carolina University
NC PA Program Highlight | East Carolina University
by Carolina Anzola-Riegel, PA-S East Carolina University’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies was accredited over 20 years ago and is one of only two public PA programs in North Carolina. ECU’s PA program provides each student with affordable, high quality education that becomes the foundation on which future PAs build careers of service. The program’s […]
I Am NCAPA | Jessica Grice
I Am NCAPA | Jessica Grice
Why you love being a PA and why membership in your state Academy is so vitally important. Our July I Am NCAPA highlighted member is Jessica Grice. Jessica is a graduate of the Wake Forest University PA program and currently lives in Huntersville, NC. She specializes in clinical research and is employed by Rose Research Center, […]
Results of HOD Election
Results of HOD Election
The results of the AAPA House of Delegates election are in! The following PAs will be representing North Carolina at the AAPA HOD in 2019-2021: Gail Curtis Alisha DeTroye Jeff Katz Marc Katz Sue Reich Samantha Rogers Joshua Smith Truett Smith April Stouder Extra Delegates: Molly Calabria Linda Sekhon Congratulations to you all!
NC PA Program Highlight | UNC-Chapel Hill
NC PA Program Highlight | UNC-Chapel Hill
by Joey McCracken, PA-S, UNC-Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Physician Assistant Program is an intensive 24 month program located in the heart of North Carolina. From the very beginning, UNC-PA has had a mission to promote high-quality, accessible, patient-centered health care for the people of North Carolina and the nation […]
I Am NCAPA | Mark Belligan
I Am NCAPA | Mark Belligan
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
NC PA Program Highlight | Wake Forest University
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 […]




























