State of MAPA 2026

On May 12, MAPA President, Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C, delivered the State of MAPA Address. Middleton highlighted the many ways MAPA has is working to engage its 900+ members in Minnesota. From a new website, to increased email and social media communication MAPA hopes to improve communication with PAs across the state. 

Middleton expressed his gratitude for the commitment of MAPA’s committee members saying, “you’ll notice by the end of this speech, I’m going to have to take a breath because our committees have done so much great work over the last year!”

A few highlights from each committee are listed below:

Awards Committee

• Expanded scholarship opportunities by offering Executive Leadership Conference scholarships to one board member and one non-board member
• Recognized 2025 MAPA Award winners

Bylaws Committee

• Continued review of the organizational policies to reduce redundancies and clarify language
• Provided updates to the bylaws to be voted on in this year’s MAPA election

CME Committee

• The 2025 Fall CME even offered two in-depth pathways; one for inpatient medicine and the other for outpatient medicine
• Began planning for the 2026 Fall CME Conference at Breezy Point. Be sure to register for an event packed with learning, networking opportunities, and plenty of boating on Pelican Lake

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee

• Secured the NCCPA Step-Up Grant which funded a First Aid Training event with Girl Scouts of the River Valleys
• Continued outreach events to The Boys & Girls Club as well as Augsburg and St. Kate’s PA Programs

Leadership & Development Committee

• Revitalized the committee’s goals to include leadership programming
• Committee meetings now feature discussions with local and national PA leaders
• Continued supporting MAPA Elections. Be sure to vote in the 2026 election by May 14th.

Legislative Committee

• Continued to advocate with Minnesota State Legislatures for PA title change to “Physician Associate”
• Began working with new lobbyists and hosted a successful Day on the Hill at the beginning of the legislative session

Scholarship Committee

• Awarded two $1,000 during the spring Student Summit.
• Continuing to look for innovative ways to fundraise for future scholarship opportunities for students

Social Media & Marketing

• Elevated MAPA’s visibility across social media channels 
• Launched a quarterly podcast called PA Pulse with MAPA
• Created a specific campaign celebrating MAPA’s 50th Anniversary

Student Relations Committee

• Launched a new Student Summit that takes place in the spring
• Hosted events such as PA 101 at the University of Minnesota and Pre-PA Coffee Hours

House of Delegates

• Representing Minnesota at the AAPA Conference in New Orleans.
• Their work will help shape national policy for PAs

Middleton thanked all MAPA members for their continued dedication to their patients and the PA Profession. MAPA truly is a unique community for PAs thanks to the leadership and commitment of its members.

“The future of physician associates in Minnesota is incredibly bright,” Middleton said, “and I’m super excited to see what we can accomplish over the next year.”

You can watch the full recording here:

Submit your Nominee for MAPA Awards

MAPA is proud to celebrate the impact and dedication of Minnesota PAs through our Annual Awards Program!  Please take time to nominate the outstanding PA colleagues we have here in Minnesota. 

Who Can Submit a Nomination?

Nominations are accepted from any professional colleague (Pre-PA students, current PA students, practicing PA, NP, PT, OT, MD, DO, etc) as well as patients or community members. 

Awards Timeline

Submit a nominations from May 15th through July 15th, 2026. Awardees will be announced at the MAPA Fall CME conference September 24-25, 2026.

Awards Categories

Three different, annual award opportunities are listed below:

• Minnesota Advocacy Award
  Minnesota PAs have worked diligently for social change and progress within, and outside, the profession. This award recognizes those who have contributed through legislation, diversity and inclusion, meeting the needs of underserved communities, equity, or social justice.
• PA of the Year Award
  This honor is awarded to a Minnesota PA who demonstrates exemplary service, who provides compassionate and comprehensive medical care, and engages with the community.  Any PA who lives or practices in the state of Minnesota is eligible to receive this award.
• Preceptor of the Year Award
  The Preceptor of the Year Award goes to a proponent of education, participating in precepting and mentoring opportunities to support the professional growth of others.  Nominees should be role models, demonstrating exceptional skill, a passion for education, and quality communication with students.  The notable contributions of the nominee need to have occurred within the previous year.

Submit your Nomination

  Visit our nomination page, MAPA Awards – Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates, to submit your vote.

  

Three Ways PAs Treat Mental Health & Improve Access to Care in Minnesota

How do PAs Treat Mental Health?

1. Medication Management: PAs prescribe medications to treat a variety of mental health disorders. From Family Medicine to Emergency Medicine and beyond, a PA can help patients access medication to manage their mental health. 

2. Clinical Care: Regardless of specialty, all PAs are trained to screen and diagnose mental health disorders, assess patient risk, and determine follow-up.

3. Specialized Care: PAs may specialize in areas such as psychiatry or addiction medicine in order to meet patient care needs.

In Minnesota, all PAs must abide by state licensure standards. Specialized training may be required for PAs to treat severe Mental Illness.

How to access care?

Mental health struggles can feel overwhelming and isolating. However, it’s important to remember there are health care providers who will partner with you to help you feel better. If you or a loved one is struggling, a primary care provider may be a good place to start. Whether they are a physician, PA, or Nurse Practitioner, they can work with you to create a treatment plan. 
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 to reach the National Sucide and Crisis Lifeline.

The Department of Education Issues Final Rule Excluding PA Programs from Professional Degree Status

On April 30, the U.S. Department of Education issued a final rule that excludes PA programs from the definition of “professional degrees”. As a result, PA students will be limited to $20,500 in federal student loans per year. If PA programs were included in the professional degree category, students could borrow up to $50,000 annually

This decision follows months of negotiated rulemaking aimed at distinguishing between professional and graduate degree programs. Throughout this process, the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) has actively opposed the change.

Unless the rule is reversed, starting July 1, PA students will face a $20,500 annual loan cap—an amount that does not cover tuition alone—while students in recognized professional degree programs can access up to $50,000 per year.

How this Rule Will Be Challenged

In response, The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the PA Education Association (PAEA), and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) have announced plans to challenge the rule in federal court under the Administrative Procedure Act. Their goal is to overturn the rule and restore the original definition of “professional student” as Congress intended. They argue that the Department of Education’s decision conflicts with the law, since both PA and nurse practitioner (NP) programs meet the statutory definition.

What You Can Do Right Now

The AAPA continues to support “HR 6718, The Professional Student Degree Act,” which would codify into law the definition of “professional degree” previously in regulation, which includes PAs.  In light of the final rule, you must contact your Member of Congress and ask them to cosponsor this legislation.

MAPA Leadership & Development Committee Hosts Discussion with AAPA President – Elect

The Leadership and Development Committee was honored to welcome AAPA President-Elect,  Dr. David Bunnell, to their meeting on April 27. In addition to serving as the President-Elect of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), Dr. Bunnell is a PhD trained PA and an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Medical Science program at the University of Maryland. His clinical experience ranges from cardiology, to cardiothoracic surgery and critical care. He will take over as President of AAPA in July 2026.

Dr. Bunnell engaged the group in a lively discussion about finding your passion and unique leadership style as a PA. The discussion even touched on questions such as “how do I survive imposter syndrome?” and “can a healthcare organization survive without PAs?” 

Young PAs in their first two years of practice are of special interest to Dr. Bunnell. He understands the daunting jump from PA-S to becoming an experienced PA-C. “There’s about a two year period where we don’t know what to do with you,” he said. However, he encouraged PAs to, “own this space to help young career PAs to become experts.” He said that one way young PAs can bridge this gap is by identifying their professional passion.

Dr. Bunnell discussed his own path to leadership. While he has years of emergency medicine experience, he discovered his passion in surgery. He joined the Association of PAs in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (APACVS) as a way to become a leader in his field. Dr. Bunnell says that joining a relevant professional organization is key to overcoming imposter syndrome, telling participants, “We need you to do what YOU are great at.” Once established within the organization, Dr. Bunnell encouraged PAs to run for the leadership board.

To young PAs looking to establish themselves within their healthcare organization, Dr. Bunnell advised that they be prepared to, “keep shifting,” in order to keep up with the endless needs of healthcare organizations. Making connections with professional staff such as clinic managers and organization executives can also help PAs stand out. Lastly, PA’s should seek out leaders they admire and ask them a simple question, “How can I help?”

The discussion came to a close with one final piece of advice from Dr. Bunnell: never forget that PAs are essential. He encouraged all PAs to enter every room knowing that they are just as indispensable as any other healthcare worker and to use that confidence to establish their leadership style. “You are essential. PAs are essential. Make it part of your professional identity.”

The MAPA Leadership and Development Committee hosted this conversation with Dr. Bunnell as part of their monthly leadership training sessions. The MAPA Leadership and Development Committee is dedicated to cultivating Minnesota PA leaders at every stage of their career. At each meeting, the committee sits down with PA leaders from Minnesota and beyond to discuss their career journey. Leaders discuss the decisions that mattered most, the resources that shaped them, and the lessons they wished they had learned sooner. While this committee is open to everyone, most sessions are geared toward PA students and early-career PAs (0-5 years).  If you are a Minnesota PA looking to connect with other leaders and add leadership training to your resume, email Matt Weiseman at matthew.weiseman@fairview.org.

MAPA Endorses Paola Gonzalez for AAPA Director at Large