The PA Path Podcast
The PA Path Podcast is for the PA community and all who are affiliated with it. PAs play an integral role in health for our communities and there are many aspects to this profession that deserve to be highlighted including demystifying the admissions process for prospective PAs.
Episodes

7 days ago
7 days ago
In this episode, Emma Sellers sits down with Kelli Hutchens, Assistant Director at the University of Mississippi, to discuss her work guiding students through the PA admissions process. Kelli shares how she developed a specialized pre-course to help pre-PA and pre-med students prepare for their applications, along with the unique challenges aspiring PAs face, such as varying school requirements, competitive timelines, and the need for hands-on patient care experience. She offers practical advice on getting started early, tracking experiences, and building connections for shadowing. Kelli also explores how the complexity of PA admissions can create barriers, particularly for first-generation and underrepresented students, and shares strategies to navigate these obstacles successfully.
This episode is supported by the University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences’ Doctor ofMedical Science program.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
In our season 6 premiere, host Emma Sellers chats with Dr. Sara Fletcher, CEO of the PA Education Association, about the organization’s fresh approach to its goals. Dr. Fletcher explains how recruitment and retention efforts are being unified under the lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. She shares insights on the critical need for early exposure to healthcare careers, starting as early as elementary school, and highlights the role of community involvement in shaping future healthcare professionals. Dr. Fletcher also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed admissions processes, leading to more flexible and inclusive criteria. She champions holistic admissions, emphasizing the value of life experiences alongside traditional metrics, and calls on clinicians to actively mentor and inspire the next generation of PAs.
This episode is supported by Southern Illinois University Medicine Doctor of Medical Science Degree.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
In this episode, hosts Kevin Lohenry, PhD, PA-C, and Stephane VanderMeulen, MA, MPAS, PA-C, look back on five incredible seasons of PA Path as they prepare to hand the mic to a new host. They reflect on the podcast’s journey, revisiting key themes like passion for the PA profession, commitment to diversity, and the importance of service, while sharing highlights from their favorite episodes. Kevin and Stephane introduce the podcast’s new host, Emma Sellers, PAEA’s Chief Diversity Officer, who will carry the mission forward. They also take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to listeners, contributors, and their programs for the ongoing support that has made PA Path such a success. Join us as we celebrate the past, embrace the future, and continue the journey of advancing the PA profession!
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
In this episode, we sit down with Emily Babcock, DHSc, PA-C, Associate Professor and Director of the Creighton University PA Program in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Babcock reflects on her journey from growing up in small-town Wisconsin to becoming a PA and leader in PA education. She shares insights from her career path, including her early passion for medicine, her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her PA training at Midwestern University. Dr. Babcock also delves into the Creighton program’s service-oriented mission, rooted in Jesuit principles, and provides valuable advice for future applicants on demonstrating a commitment to service and gaining meaningful healthcare experience.
This episode is sponsored by Creighton University.
PA Path is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
In our 100th episode, we celebrate a milestone with Melanie “MJ” Ellis, MPAS, PA-C, program director for the University of Arizona's developing PA program. Ellis shares her inspiring 36-year journey in the US Air Force and discusses the launch their new program in August 2026, with accreditation review set for March 2026. Designed with a mission to prioritize person-centered primary care, rural health, and medical Spanish, the program will feature cutting-edge facilities, including a new clinical skills lab and the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center. Ellis highlights the program’s focus on resilience, interprofessional collaboration, and aligning with its core mission and values.
This episode is sponsored by the University of Arizona College of Health Sciences.
PA Path is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
In this episode, we’re joined by Nour Safa, PA-C, Mubashir Ahmed, and Marwha Kayali, three global leaders who have developed the Muslim Association of Physician Associates and Students, now a caucus within the American Academy of Physician Associates. They share the journey of creating this group, inspired by their own paths to becoming PAs and the need for cultural and religious competency in healthcare. Together, they discuss the importance of mentorship, resources, and advocacy for Muslim PAs and students, highlighting how their organization fosters a sense of community, inclusivity, and support for future professionals in the field.
PA Path is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Betsy Schmidt, program director for the Butler University PA program, about her diverse career in emergency medicine and orthopedic surgery, as well as her role in founding a PA-owned surgical assistance program in Indiana. Schmidt shares insights on the importance of thinking creatively and adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape. She also highlights Butler University’s highly regarded 24-month PA program, known for its personalized attention, focus on service, and leadership development. For prospective students, Schmidt encourages embracing unique experiences and non-traditional career paths without hesitation.
PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
In this episode, Elias Villarreal, Jr., DMSc, PA-C, associate dean and founding program director of the UCSD School of Medicine Atkinson PA Education, shares his inspiring journey from engineering major to physician assistant, driven by a passion for biology and chemistry. He discusses the challenges and successes of launching a PA program from the ground up and highlights the program’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Elias also emphasizes the power of storytelling in applications, offering advice on how applicants can stand out through personal narratives. For new educators, he shares his guidance on following your passion and seeking support from colleagues and mentors.
PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
In this episode, we chat with Emily WhiteHorse, PhD, PA-C, founder of The PA Faculty Development Academy, about her latest book, Becoming a PA Educator: A Practical Guide for Physician Assistant/Associate Faculty. Dr. WhiteHorse shares her unique journey from high school teacher to practicing PA and now educator. She dives into the challenges clinicians face when transitioning into PA education, including the common misconceptions about teaching and the steep learning curve. With a growing faculty shortage in PA programs, she explains how many new educators leave within three years due to insufficient support. Her book offers practical tools and advice to ease this transition, focusing on curriculum development, assessment strategies, and faculty growth.

Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
In this episode, we talk with Lisa Gables, CEO of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). Lisa shares her path into the PA profession and AAPA's mission to advocate for and educate over 178,000 PAs. She also discusses the ongoing transition from the title "Physician Assistant" to "Physician Associate," and emphasizes the importance of engaging pre-PA students, fostering leadership development, and staying connected to the profession.
This episode is supported by Southern Illinois University Medicine Doctor of Medical Science Degree.
The PA Path Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.