Mile-High City Hosted the Annual AAPA Conference

Faculty and students from the University’s Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program attended the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) conference in Denver, Colo., from May 18 to May 22.

As the only national conference for PAs, the meeting and daily lectures are the perfect opportunity for clinicians and faculty to learn more about the latest technology and innovations in the field. For the first time, David A. Smith, PA-C, assistant professor in the PA program, and students from the Class of 2020, Morgan Lukievics, Emily Noll and Alyssa Lipcsey, were involved in the Yes, I Scan: Ultrasound Student Workshop and Competition, which featured students’ ultrasound skills in a variety of clinical circumstances.

One of the highlights of the annual conference is always the National Medical Challenge Bowl - Salus PA students from the Class of 2019 exhibited knowledge they have learned from their program and competed against students from programs across the country. Students Jessica Huber, Evan Schulz, and Jaden Taylor participated in the Challenge Bowl while Kyle Sullivan, and Bryan (Wai Yong) Tang served as alternates for the team. 

"There were 104 Physician Assistant programs from all over the country that sent students to participate in this competition," said Huber about the fun opportunity. "It was an honor to represent Salus University. Answering questions with a giant crowd around us was definitely an exciting experience."

During the conference, there was also an Alumni & Friends reception at the Historic Larimer Square’s Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen on Sunday, May 19 where more than 40 attendees including alumni gathered. Salus president, Michael Mittelman, OD, MPH, FAAO, FACHE, opened the reception while Donna Agnew, MSPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, director of the PA program and interim dean of the University’s College of Health Sciences, thanked everyone in attendance and together on behalf of the University’s Alumni Association, presented Daniel Millward, MMS ’09, PA-C with his Physician Assistant Alumnus of the Year Award. As just the fourth recipient, he was nominated by Agnew and subsequently awarded for his service as an assistant professor and director of admissions for a developing Physician Assistant program at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo. Since graduating, he has practiced in the area of family medicine and has had the unique experience and privilege of providing healthcare on the Navajo Reservation in Utah.

The AAPA represents more than 131,000 PAs and is the national professional society for PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and the uniformed services. "It was great to see PA students and practicing PAs all united in the same location," Huber said.

Next year’s conference will be held in Nashville from May 16-20.