The PA Path Podcast

Building Bridges in Global Care: Inside AMKENY’s Medical Outreach Mission (Part 1)

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, host Emma Sellers, MS, is joined by Lucy Kibe, DrPH, MS, MHS, PA-C, co-founder of AmKeny, a nonprofit that partners U.S. PAs and other clinicians with Kenyan clinical officers to support patient care, education, and community health initiatives in Kenya. She is joined by Laye Akinloye, PA-C, Emeritus; Alabi Akinloye, PA; Miriam Ha, PA; Gaelen Waar, Pre-PA Student; and Ajana Williams, Pre-PA Student, who share their experiences participating in AmKeny’s medical outreach efforts. Dr. Kibe reflects on how the organization grew from a 2011 Drexel PA student trip into a sustained nonprofit focused on collaboration, cultural exchange, educational support, and strengthening local clinical officer programs. The group discusses the realities of delivering care in resource-limited settings, adapting to supply constraints, and supporting clinics focused on women’s health, children’s care, men’s health, eye screenings, and patient intake. They also provide an inside look at AMKENY’s large-scale community “medical camp,” which brings together Kenyan volunteers and U.S. clinicians to offer primary care, cervical cancer screening and treatment, dental care, counseling, spiritual support, nutrition services, physical therapy, pharmacy services, and referrals for cataract surgery.
This episode is sponsored by AMBOSS.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Turning Struggles into Support for PA Students Nationwide

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, speaks with Jasmine Cofield, PA-C, DMSc, founder and executive director of the Physician Assistants of Color (ThePAC), about turning personal challenges into a national support network for aspiring PA students. Jasmine shares how ThePAC began as a small GroupMe community after her own academic setbacks in PA school and has since grown into a nonprofit supporting students across the country. The organization provides CASPA guidance, personal statement reviews, mock interviews, events, and an online community—while keeping affordability at the center of its mission and reinvesting back into members through scholarships and programming. The conversation also explores the realities of PA education, including mental preparedness, test anxiety, and the importance of early mental health support. Jasmine reflects on the impact ThePAC has made—helping hundreds of students gain acceptance into PA programs—and the work still ahead to create more accessible pathways into the profession.
This episode is sponsored by Logan University.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.
 

Season 7: Episode 117 - Inside the Future Educator Fellowship

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, sits down with Afsoon Moktar, PhD, MSc, EMBA, BSN, BHS, CT (ASCP), professor in the Physician Assistant Program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Minh Tran, MPAS, PA-C, an emergency medicine PA at Newton-Wellesley, to explore their experiences in the Future Educator Fellowship. Dr. Moktar reflects on mentoring the next generation of clinician educators and explains how the fellowship’s structure, support, and sense of community make an academic career feel both accessible and sustainable. Tran shares how the program broadened her understanding of PA education beyond the classroom, introducing her to curriculum design, assessment, accreditation, leadership, and intentional mentorship. She also discusses the shift from being clinically proficient to learning how to teach with clarity and purpose. Together, they examine the intensity of PA training, the many responsibilities faculty members carry, and the evolving landscape of recruiting and supporting educators. They offer practical advice for aspiring faculty: begin teaching before you feel fully ready, seek strong mentors, build community to prevent burnout, and remain curious as you grow.
This episode is sponsored by Logan University.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Season 7: Episode 116 - Why Research Matters in PA Education

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, speaks with Denise Rizzolo, PhD, MPH, PA-C, Director of Research and Publication at the Physician Assistant Education Association and managing editor of the Journal of PA Education. Dr. Rizzolo shares her professional journey and explores how PA students and faculty can get involved in research at any stage of their careers. She underscores the importance of early exposure, strong mentorship, and starting with manageable projects to build confidence and momentum. The conversation also highlights the wide range of research opportunities available to PAs—from clinical practice and public health to the pharmaceutical industry—and introduces the JPAE Podcast as a resource designed to make research more approachable and less intimidating for the PA community.
This episode is sponsored by Logan University.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Season 7: Episode 115 - Reflecting on a Milestone Year for the PA Path Podcast

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, sits down with Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, to reflect on a milestone year for the PA Path podcast. They discuss the show’s growing impact—including more than 50,000 downloads and an expanding international audience—and explore key themes shaping PA education today, such as access, affordability, and technology. The conversation highlights standout episodes on topics like ghosting in PA admissions, virtual shadowing, and financing PA education, while underscoring the importance of inclusivity and amplifying diverse voices. The episode wraps with an invitation for listener feedback and continued community support as the podcast looks ahead to addressing emerging issues in PA education.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Season 6: Episode 114 - Modern Recruitment in the PA Profession

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, talks with Heather Storm, CSM, ICP-ACC, manager of recruitment and engagement at PAEA. Heather shares how PAEA is expanding awareness of the PA profession through key partnerships, virtual admissions fairs, and national student competitions. She also discusses how COVID-19 accelerated digital recruitment tools—from virtual interviews to online shadowing and peer-based mentorship—helping advisors, students, and pre-PAs access clearer pathways into the profession. Together, they highlight how these efforts are shaping a more informed and accessible pipeline for future PAs.
 
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Season 6: Episode 113 - Inside the End of Rotation Exams

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, sits down with Dr. Melinda Blazar, EdD, MHS, PA-C, assessment editor in chief at the PA Education Association (PAEA), and Ashley Tucker, MPH, PMP, project manager of assessment services at PAEA, to pull back the curtain on End of Rotation™ exams. They walk listeners through the meticulous process behind developing these high-quality assessments—from item writing and peer review to pre-testing and validation. The conversation also explores how PAEA exams benefit PA students, offers tips for effective preparation, and highlights the critical role of volunteer item writers in maintaining exam excellence.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Season 6: Episode 112 - Inspiring Growth in PA Education

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, talks with Sean Kramer, MSHS, PA-C, program director and chair at the Samuel Merritt University PA Program in Oakland, CA, and Rachel Rogowski, PA-C, a recent graduate from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, about their involvement in the PA Student Success Competition. Rachel shares her path to becoming a PA and how the competition inspired her to connect and lead within the profession. Sean reflects on his role as faculty champion, emphasizing the importance of engaging students early and fostering community involvement. Together, they highlight how initiatives like this competition can strengthen recruitment, empower student leadership, and build the next generation of PA professionals.
 
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Season 6: Episode 111 - Financing the Future

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, talks with Tyler Smith, MPH, chief policy officer at the PA Education Association, about the many pathways to financing PA education. Tyler breaks down federal student loan options—including unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Grad PLUS loans—alongside private lending alternatives. He also explores recent changes in PA education funding, key advocacy initiatives, and the role of programs like the National Health Service Corps and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Throughout the conversation, Tyler emphasizes the power of grassroots advocacy and how sharing personal stories can shape meaningful policy change.
 
This episode is sponsored by the University of Saint Francis and its online Doctor of Medical ScienceDegree.

Season 6: Episode 110 - Expanding Access Through Virtual Shadowing

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, sits down with Kathryn Reed, PA-C, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh and founder of the National Society of Black Physician Assistants (NSBPA), to explore how virtual shadowing is transforming access to the PA profession. Reed explains how this innovative approach expands opportunities for pre-PA students, especially those facing geographic, financial, or systemic barriers. She offers practical tips for identifying high-quality virtual experiences and dives into the broader PA pathway—from application challenges to the power of mentorship. Whether you're an aspiring PA or supporting future healthcare leaders, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and resources for the journey ahead.
This episode is sponsored by the University of Saint Francis and its online Doctor of Medical ScienceDegree.
 
PA PAth is produced by Association Briefings.