Piedmont Association of Physician Assistants

04/08/2026

The Fall 2025-Winter 2026 edition of Inside Wake PA is now available online.

In this issue, colleagues share memories and reflect on the impact made by K. Patrick Ober, MD, House Staff ’79, Professor of Internal Medicine and long-time Medical Director for the Wake Forest PA Program.

This issue also contains highlights from throughout the summer, fall and winter, including:
• The Class of 2026 White Coat Ceremony
• Student community service during orientation
• Toni Jackson, MMS, PA-C ’08, recognized for outstanding teaching
• Associate Program Director Sarah Jane O’Neal named PA of the Year
• Faculty presentations, publications, and new titles

Click here for the full issue https://view.publitas.com/atrium-health/inside-wake-pa-fall-2025-winter-2026/page/1.

03/07/2026

02/21/2026

Take a look at the momentum behind PA advocacy right now! 💪 From packed lobby days to major legislative progress, PAs are showing up to make their voices heard. Chantell Taylor, AAPA chief of Public Affairs & Advocacy, captures the highlights and outlines what comes next: https://bit.ly/4rwctvY

02/21/2026

🌿 Ready to bring lifestyle medicine into your everyday practice?

Join us for an interactive, evidence-based workshop designed to equip PAs with practical tools to improve patient outcomes while strengthening personal well-being and professional fulfillment. Explore the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, learn a coach-based approach to sustainable behavior change, and walk away ready to apply it all in real-world clinical care.

Invest in your patients. Invest in yourself.

👉 Register now and secure your spot.

Link: https://web.cvent.com/event/da103dec-e4ba-41cf-8f08-b5a90fdf068f/summary

02/20/2026

Please join us in giving a heartfelt thank you to one of the most dedicated and invaluable members of the Piedmont Association of Physician Assistants (PAPA), Courtney Hughes, as she steps down from her role as the true heart of our organization.

For over two decades, Courtney has been a proud and committed member of PAPA, and for more than ten of those years, she has served as an integral board member. Behind the scenes, she has been the steady force keeping everything moving forward. From coordinating our annual PAPA Fall Seminar to managing and maintaining our social media presence, Courtney has worked tirelessly to ensure our organization thrives.

Her dedication, leadership, and unwavering support have shaped PAPA into what it is today. So much of what we do, and the way we do it, bears her fingerprint. She has given countless hours, endless energy, and a whole lot of heart to this community of Physician Assistants.

As she passes the torch, we are incredibly grateful for her service and the standard of excellence she leaves behind. Courtney, thank you for your vision, your commitment, and your selfless contributions. You are truly our MVP.

Let’s honor her legacy by continuing to strengthen this organization and making her proud.

02/07/2026

01/18/2026

PAs, 2026 is off to a great start! AAPA Chief of Public Affairs and Advocacy Chantell Taylor gives a recap of the momentum the profession made last year, and shares a look ahead. https://bit.ly/3YE95m1

01/17/2026

Congrats to our own Truett Smith as the new NCAPA president.

As we kick off our 50th Anniversary, we’re excited to welcome Truett Smith, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA as the 2026 President of the North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates 🎉

There’s a full-circle moment here as Truett previously served as president in 2017 during the 50th anniversary of the PA profession and now returns to lead NCAPA during the 50th anniversary of our organization.

Truett brings years of leadership experience, a deep understanding of our Academy, and an unwavering commitment to the profession. As we mark this milestone year, we’re fortunate to have his steady, thoughtful approach to leadership and are confident in his ability to guide NCAPA forward while staying grounded in the work and values that have shaped our profession.

As we celebrate 50 years of NCAPA, we’re grateful for the members, volunteers, and leaders who make this community what it is. Here’s to honoring where we’ve been, and continuing to move forward together.

01/16/2026

Physician Associates just ranked #2 Best Health Care Job of 2026 and the real win is what that means for patients.

PAs are on the front lines every day: diagnosing, treating, educating, and advocating. We bridge gaps in care, improve access, and deliver high-quality medicine where it’s needed most from emergency departments to primary care, surgery, and beyond.

This recognition isn’t about a title or a ranking.
It’s about impact:
• More access to care
• Shorter wait times
• Strong patient relationships
• Team-based medicine that works

Being a PA means showing up when it matters and changing lives one patient at a time. Proud of the profession. Even prouder of the patients we serve.

12/31/2025

12/30/2025