The PA Path Podcast

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, is joined by Kelly Powell, PMP, Admissions Services Coordinator at PAEA, to explore the CASPA Program Directory and how it helps applicants compare PA programs with confidence. Kelly explains how the directory provides up-to-date information on admissions requirements, prerequisites, tuition, deadlines, and program characteristics, while also highlighting recent enhancements such as improved search filters, an interactive map, and new fields that offer greater transparency. She also discusses why it's essential for programs to keep their information current and how advisors can use the directory to guide prospective students throughout the application process.
 
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Emma Sellers, MS, welcomes Jamie Axelrod, MS, director of disability resources at Northern Arizona University, to discuss disability access and accommodations in PA education. Jamie explains how programs can create accessible learning environments while meeting essential educational and clinical requirements, highlighting common accommodations in the classroom and the individualized approach needed for clinical experiences. He also discusses legal considerations, admissions best practices, partnerships with clinical sites, and the importance of proactive, collaborative strategies that support students with disabilities while maintaining academic and professional standards.
This episode is sponsored by Aquifer.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

In part two of this conversation, host Emma Sellers, MS, continues her discussion with Lucy Kibe, DrPH, MS, MHS, PA-C, co-founder of AmKeny, a nonprofit organization connecting U.S. physician associates and clinicians with Kenyan clinical officers to support healthcare, education, and community initiatives in Kenya. Joining the conversation are Laye Akinloye, PA-C, Emeritus; Alabi Akinloye, PA; Miriam Ha, PA; and pre-PA students Gaelen Waar and Ajana Williams, who reflect on their experiences participating in AmKeny’s medical outreach work in Kitale, Kenya. The group discusses the global role of physician associates and similar professions such as Kenya’s clinical officers, highlighting the impact of collaborative, community-centered care. Miriam and the clinicians share lessons learned through service, listening, and cultural exchange, while Gaelen and Ajana describe transformative moments working alongside healthcare teams, including helping connect dozens of patients to free cataract surgeries through an eye clinic initiative. The episode also explores the importance of teamwork, cultural communication, and sustainable support efforts, as Lucy shares AmKeny’s plans for future outreach trips and encourages support through local supply purchases and donations. Along the way, the guests reflect on the relationships built through the experience, as well as the opportunity to explore Kenya’s culture, communities, and landscapes.
This episode is sponsored by Lincoln Memorial University School of Medical Sciences. For more information about the doctor of medical science program, visit https://www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/dms/. For more information on the medical education major curriculum, visit https://www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/dms/medical-education-major-curriculum.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

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.

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.