OMAHA, Neb. – Physician assistant studies faculty recently presented on hematology, advocacy and race related trauma at the American Academy of Physician Associates Conference.
Over 5,000 physician assistants and physician assistant students attended the conference in May in New Orleans, La.
Risa Zimmerman, associate program director, presented “Blood Matters: Crash Course on Hematology” to physician assistants and “Advocacy 101” to students.
During the ‘Blood Matters’ presentation, Zimmerman shared her clinical expertise to support professional development in an area that is complex but highly relevant to patient care. “It gave me the opportunity to translate my hematology and oncology background into practical, usable knowledge for colleagues,” she said.
Her advocacy session, which she presented with Rita Dixon, physician assistant program director at the University of South Carolina, emphasized that advocacy is part of professional responsibility.
“Presenting ‘Advocacy 101’ was especially meaningful because it helped introduce the students to the importance of professional advocacy early in their PA education,” she said.
Zimmerman also participated in a roundtable discussion for physician assistants just beginning their careers. “It was valuable because it created space to support newer PAs as they navigate professional identity, leadership development, career growth and challenges in practice,” she said.
Jessica Jones, director of didactic education and assistant professor of physician assistant studies, presented, “Harm to Healing: Clinical Insights into Race Related Trauma.”
“This is a prevalent issue not taught in school, so I am passionate about sharing this knowledge. These patients often don’t fit the PTSD criteria, but have real symptoms,” she said.
Jones shared action steps physician assistants can take to offer clinical intervention that fosters healing and builds trust with their patients.