MAPA Members in focus in the Big Easy

AAPA is heading to New Orleans in May, and MAPA members are out in force.

Congratulations to our 11 MAPA Members selected to present at this year’s event!  Read on to see who you can look for in the Big Easy.

Mike Breunig, PA-C, Ed.D. 
Associate Program Director, Mayo PA Program
PA in Hospital Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic 

Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Tips, Tricks, and Practical Advice. Introduction to Point-of-Care Ultrasound Workshop 

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is an increasingly important skillset for all clinicians. It’s important for PAs to stay up-to-date on evolving practices and work to include them in their clinical practice. POCUS allows for rapid and accurate bedside assessment of our patients to make informed care decisions.


Andy Herber, PA-C 
Hospital Medicine PA and Chair of NPPA Education at Mayo Clinic

Lab Rats to the Rescue: A Quick Review of Laboratory Medicine. Andy began his career with an undergraduate degree in clinical laboratory medicine, spending several years working in the lab before transitioning to become a physician assistant. With over 20 years of experience practicing in hospital medicine, he has developed a passion for teaching at the intersection of laboratory science and clinical care. Known for his enthusiastic, case-based style, Andy brings sessions to life with pop culture references and a generous dose of dad jokes.


Justine Herndon, MS, PA-C 
PA in Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, and Educator, Mayo Clinic PA Program

Get Me Off Steroids! Navigating a Difficult Taper Practice

Did you know that 1% of adults will be on chronic glucocorticoids at some time? Depending on how long someone is on glucocorticoids, they could be at risk for adrenal insufficiency or glucocorticoid withdrawal. I’m excited to share this presentation with AAPA attendees, as this is a common consult we get in endocrinology; however, as I’m sure many of you are aware of, wait times can be long to get into endocrine. This presentation will give you tips/tricks for navigating steroid tapers when patients are struggling to get down on that steroid dose!


Elise Roxas, PA-S2 
Mayo College of Medicine and Science PA Program

Poster Presentation: Boosting Hepatitis B Vaccination Rates Among Healthcare Workers

I am presenting about an intervention conducted in hopes to decrease the amount of overdue hepatitis B vaccination rates in healthcare workers, who are a high-risk group for contracting hepatitis B.


Lindsey Wallace, DScPAS, PA-C 
Critical Care Medicine (medical ICU) PA and NP/PA Critical Care Fellowship Program Director 

Critical Care Tips and Tricks, and Toxidromes 

Critical care can be a daunting topic for some, but we created these lectures with the goal in mind to help clinicians take home helpful tips to change or enhance their practice.


Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C
Family Medicine with special interest in Dermatology/Dermoscopy

Introduction to Dermoscopy Workshop

I’m passionate about dermoscopy because it enables earlier detection of skin cancers and improves diagnostic accuracy. I’m especially motivated to help more non-dermatology clinicians feel confident using this tool. Overall, dermoscopy empowers clinicians to make more confident, evidence-based decisions while helping reduce unnecessary biopsies and specialty referrals. I hope to see you in New Orleans for our beginner dermoscopy workshop!


Danielle O’Laughlin, PA-C, MS
Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Team Lead of the Primary Care Gynecology Clinic

Clinical Skills Co-Director, Mayo Clinic PA Program

Acute Breast Disorders

Acute Breast Disorders is a presentation applicable to the care of all women across multiple specialities. This lecture covers various benign and malignant breast conditions from etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and patient education to help improve patient care.


Katarina Astrup, MSPAS, PA-C
Psychiatry PA at  Minnesota Clinic for Health and Wellness 

Early Career Success Roundtable: Avoiding Burnout & Personal Finance and Loan Repayment 

I’m looking forward to presenting on burnout prevention and personal finance because early career success isn’t just about clinical skills, it’s about sustainability. As a PA who experienced burnout early in my career while carrying six-figure student loan debt, I’ve seen how closely financial stress impacts overall well-being. Learning how to manage money and pursue financial independence gave me more options and flexibility. Through my work and podcast, I’m passionate about helping other PAs build careers that align with their lives and support their well-being.


Ashleigh Cutt, PA-C, Family Medicine PA at HealthPartners 

Matt Weiseman, PA-C, Family Medicine at MHealth Fairview

Clinic Chameleon: The Magic of Family Medicine Flexibility.

Ashliegh says, “I’m thrilled to attend AAPA for the first time and present with my colleague Matt Weiseman, PA-C. Having worked in primary Care for over 10 years, I have seen many providers leverage unique skills within their practice to “sub specialize”, enhancing clinician experience and well-being. We’re excited to share some of these opportunities with students and in doing so invite them to join us in family medicine!”


Nina Langley, PA-S2 Mayo College of Medicine and Science PA Program

Poster Presentation: Glioblastoma: Why Social Determinants of Health Matter

This presentation will provide a foundational overview of Glioblastoma (GBM), including an emphasis on the 2021 WHO classification of Gliomas. It will also highlight a GBM case, illustrating the complexity of care in GBM management and the influence of Social Determinants of Health on patient outcomes.