In May, Duke PA faculty, students, and alumni attended the 2025 American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) conference in Denver, CO. Held annually, this conference gathers PAs and PA students from all across the country for a week filled with education, networking, and entertainment. Duke PA students came in energized and ready to showcase their leadership and passion for the profession.
Presentation of Research Poster Project
One of the first ways Duke students made their presence known was sharing student-led research. Kris Miller and Anna Senft-Miller presented their poster Coronary By-PASs: The Impacts of Hands-Only CPR in Battling Health Disparities. This poster presentation highlighted the importance of CPR training and pushing back against the barriers that can prevent it in certain communities. Faculty member Janelle Bludorn, MS, PA-C, advised the research poster and supported the students in their work.
They presented with the goal of inspiring others to help their communities in whatever way they can, showing that change can start small and grow into something much bigger.
Kris shared how the experience impacted her, saying, “It was my first time doing a presentation at a national conference and it was an amazing and nerve-wracking first step. As an attendee I was able to network and learn about topics that were not only intriguing but were also applicable to make my next steps in my career field.”
You can read more about Kris and Anna’s presentation here.
Representation on the House of Delegates
Student leadership didn’t stop at research. Duke PA students also had a voice in the profession’s policy making process through Sabrina Denton’s role as student representative in the AAPA House of Delegates. This group communicates shared values of PAs from the AAPA community.
Denton explained that preparation for this role began a year prior, where she had late nights filled with meetings, perusing research articles, and an endless chat chain of questions, support, kind words, and advice. She appreciates her help from her AAPA Graduate advisor and her fellow delegates and chief delegates.
She mentions “Being a part of a group of people who so passionately care about the issues facing our patients, our fellow students, our incredible faculty members, and our practicing PAs reinvigorated me and reminded me of why I worked so hard to join this field in the first place.”
Challenge Bowl Competition
Next up, Sam (David) Hughes, Ruben Turcin, Annemarie Altomare, Alison Pullen (alternate), and William Kang (student coach) had a chance to compete in the Challenge Bowl. The National Medical Challenge Bowl is a competition where student teams are able to test their clinical and medical knowledge.
Kang reflected on his experience, “As someone who still, to-this-day, does not believe I should’ve been accepted to such a program, wearing the Duke blue and representing our school at the AAPA conference was such an honor. Attending this conference reminded me that as future PAs, we are more than just one individual provider, but a part of a larger movement committed to improving healthcare, advocating for our profession, and supporting one another.”
iScan Competition
The iScan competition let students sharpen their diagnostic skills in a fast-paced ultrasound challenge. At this year’s match, students Katie Wierenga, Bri Phillips, Jacqui Foley, and Maddie Quick competed, joining 40 teams in total. During the event, they took on a series of tasks that involved hands-on time, thinking through clinical scenarios, and reviewing ultrasound imaging clips.
The competition gave students a high-pressure environment to build diagnostic confidence and apply their ultrasound training in real time.
While students competed and presented, faculty made their own mark on the conference.
Faculty members Laura Okolie, DMSc, MBA, MHS, PA-C; Perri Morgan, PhD, PA-C; Quincy Jones, MSW, MHS, PA-C; Kim Howard, MHS, PA-C; April Stouder, EdD, MHS, PA-C; and Janelle Bludorn, MS, PA-C, actively contributed to the conference through research presentations, CME sessions, House of Delegates participation, and more.
Program Coordinator Averyll Aberdeen hosted and organized a successful alumni event, where alumni were able to connect with former classmates and other classes.
Looking Ahead
As always, this year was a memorable experience for both faculty and students. Denton shares her appreciation of the impact of the conference, saying, “We are the future of this profession. The most effective way to be the change we wish to see is to educate ourselves early and often, while building our experience as advocates. That’s how we create a better future for our patients and our fellow PAs.”
With so many ways for students and faculty to learn, lead, and connect, the AAPA conference continues to be a highlight of the year.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s AAPA Conference, which will be held May 15–19, 2026 in New Orleans.
