Hear from the three 2024 MAPA Award Recipients as they talk about the work and dedication that led to them being chosen as MAPA Award Winners.

(Guests)

MAPA 2024 Advocacy Award Recipient: Alannah Zheng, MSPA, PA-C, CLC

Alannah is a PA in OB/GYN at Allina Health and serves as the MAPA Legislative

Committee Chair as well as Delegate to AAPA HOD. This past legislative session, her contributions helped remove a confusing clause from a state statute that limited PAs treating patients with mental health conditions. With her leadership, the state legislature also passed the PA licensure compact, making Minnesota the 10th state to join the compact.

MAPA 2024 Preceptor of the Year: Danielle Johnson, MPAS, PA-C

Danielle is a Hospital Medicine PA at Regions Hospital and serves as Program Director for the HealthPartners Hospital Medicine APC Fellowship. Throughout her career, Danielle has “used her passion for medical education as her guiding star, incorporating it into her practice every day”. In her newer role as Fellowship Director, she has demonstrated dedication, empathy, and adaptability by working with medical education leaders, administrators, and fellow clinicians to enhance the development of each individual fellow ensuring they are best-prepared for their role.

MAPA 2024 PA of the Year: Pat Loew, MPAS, PA-C

Pat is a Family Medicine PA with North Memorial Health. During his more than 35 years of practice, he has been dedicated to patient-centered care, recognizing the individuality and unique needs of each patient. He has been a continuous mentor to Pre-PA students, a clinical preceptor to PA students, and an exemplary colleague to other providers who work around him. Furthermore, he has been a strong leader and advocate for the PA profession, holding roles including Regional Provider Lead for 10+ years, Medical Director for North Memorial for 3+ years, member and current chair of the Professional Staff Committee, voting member on the Medical Credentialing Committee, and voting member on North Memorial’s Executive Committee. “Pat exemplifies what being a PA leader is and continues to serve his patients, community, colleagues, friends, and family. He never seeks recognition, asks for praise, or looks for Rewards.”

Host: Katarina Astrup, MSPAS, PA-C

Katarina is a telepsychiatry PA with Minnesota Clinic for Health and Wellness. She is MAPA's Treasurer and serves on the Social Media and Marketing Committee.

Hear from MAPAs immediate past-president about the award that MAPA won for AAPAs annual Constituent Organization Award.

Host: Josh Loew, PA-C, MPAS

Guest: Brittany Strelow, DMSc, PA-C, MS, DFAAPA

Are you currently a Pre-PA student, or thinking about becoming a PA? MAPA is committed to growing the PA profession by helping Pre-PA students with several membership benefits. In this episode you will hear from Josh Loew, PA-C, MPAS, Chair of the Leadership and Development Committee, talk with one of MAPAs Pre-PA members on their journey to becoming a PA student, as well as the resources available through MAPA for Pre-PA students.

Host: Josh Loew, PA-C, MPAS
Guest: Christian Lindbloom, Pre-PA Student/aspiring PA

Did you know that MAPA has a lobbyist? MAPA is committed to advocating for Minnesota PAs and patients and advancing the profession in our state. One way we achieve that is by partnering with a lobbyist to affect change on healthcare policy in the legislature. In this episode, Alannah Zheng, co-chair of the Legislative & Reimbursement Committee speaks with Tom Lehman, lobbyist with the Lehman Group, about what it's like to represent Minnesota PAs on Capitol Hill.

Host: Alannah Zheng, MSPA, PA-C, CLC practices OBGYN at Allina Health.
Guest: Tom Lehman, lobbyist with the Lehman Group

Listen to our latest podcast where Erin Monahan, Dermatology PA, shares tips on Sun Safety!

Bios:

Host: Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C is a family medicine PA and clinical researcher at M Health Fairview in St. Paul, Minnesota. He holds a Doctor of Medical Science Degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah and completed PA School at Bethel University in St. Paul. Hayden has a special interest in dermatology and dermoscopy both in clinical practice and research. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and posters and has presented at National, State, and Local Conferences. He is also a 2023-2024 AAPA-PAEA Research Fellow. He currently serves on the MAPA board, as President-Elect and the MAPA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee Chair.

Panelist: Erin Monahan DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-Derm practices with Essentia Health Dermatology in Duluth, MN and Superior, WI. She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Myers, FL. She started her career in Family Medicine then transitioned into Dermatology in 2016. Erin is a diplomate fellow of the Society of Dermatology PAs (SDPA), an AAPA Recognized Clinical Preceptor, and was Essentia Health’s East Market APP of the Year in 2023.

During this discussion we discuss caring for the LGBTQIA+ community and Jacob Ginter's role as a PA in the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health

Host: Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C (Family Medicine PA at M Health Fairview)

Panelist: Jacob Ginther, PA-C

My first job out of PA school after graduating Augsburg University was in St. Cloud where I provided primary care for the LGBTQIA+ community providing gender care, primary care, and urgent care. My interest has always been psychiatry which led to me to my current role at ISGH. I believe mental health plays an integral role in every aspect of life and patients are at the center of my care. I am honored to serve my community and I strive to better one’s health. When I am not in the office I love all things outdoors and trying new food in the cities.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an incredibly helpful tool that many PAs utilize to help guide the management of acutely ill or injured patients.

Take a listen to hear two ultrasound evangelists, Thomas Pahl, PA-C and Peter Lindbloom, PA-C, share about the benefits of POCUS for both patients and PAs as well as examples of how POCUS has been helpful in their practices.

You will also learn about The Minnesota Point-Of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Project, which offers free ultrasound training to eligible providers through a grant offered by The Helmsley Charitable Trust. This allows Minnesota PAs to be trained in POCUS for free to better care for their patients. You can learn more information or register online here: portal.hqmeded.com

Guest: Thomas Pahl, PA-C, CAQ-EM

Tom is an Emergency Medicine PA in the Glacial Ridge Health System. He is a skilled clinician with expertise in point-of-care ultrasound, resuscitation, and various emergency procedures. Tom is Co-Clinical Director of the Helmsley Project, a published author in ultrasound texts, teaches ultrasound courses, and is the vice-chair of the MN State Trauma Advisory Council. He is an active educator in local PA programs, and he precepts many students in their clinical rotations.

Guest: Peter Lindbloom, MPAS, PA-C, RDMS, FCCM

Peter is a graduate of the inaugural physician assistant class at Augsburg College and has been in practice for the past 26 years. He has experience in family medicine, emergency medicine, administration and currently practices at North Memorial Health—Robbinsdale Hospital in trauma and surgical critical care. He has been using POCUS in his practice for over 18 years.

Host: Katarina Astrup, MSPAS, PA-C
Katarina is a telepsychiatry PA with Minnesota Clinic for Health and Wellness. She is a Director-At-Large for MAPA and serves on the Social Media and Marketing Committee.

Take a listen to this MAPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Podcast, as we interview Taneasha Muonio, who is a health equity consultant at HCMC. In this podcast, we discuss how she is advocating for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion!

Hosts: Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C, Elise Haupt, MPH, PA-C, and Sumaya Noor, PA-C

Panelist: Taneasha Muonio, MSPAS, PA-C

Taneasha Muonio is a proud Minnesota native and PA-C with a diverse background encompassing medicine, social justice, and advocacy. Prior to becoming a PA she worked in case management, pain management/addiction medicine, and JEDI consulting in the non-profit, corporate, and grassroots sectors. In addition to her 9 years of equity consulting, she practiced as a PA on the east coast with a passion for Internal and Emergency Medicine.Taneasha has dedicated her career to advancing health equity and addressing systemic disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
Throughout her professional journey, Taneasha has been at the forefront of advocating for marginalized communities, particularly focusing on extending the life expectancy for Black patients through a combination of social justice initiatives, research, and increasing medical literacy. Her commitment to courageous conversations and amplifying underrepresented voices has made her a respected figure in the field.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Taneasha is a fervent advocate for systemic change within healthcare systems. She champions policies and practices that prioritize equity, accessibility, and inclusivity, aiming to create a more just and equitable healthcare landscape for all individuals regardless of their identities.

Taneasha's multifaceted approach to healthcare, blending clinical proficiency with social advocacy and DEI consulting, reflects her unwavering dedication to improving lives and fostering positive societal change. Her work serves as an inspiration to fellow professionals and community members alike, demonstrating the profound impact that can be achieved through a combination of passion, expertise, and bravery.