Episode 16 - May 2020
Topic: PA School and Beyond: Perspectives From PA Student Leaders
Hosts: James Millward, DMSc, PA-C, and Andrea Lowe, PA-C
Guests: Cooper Couch, PA-S; Kaci Hardsock, PA-S; and Katie Ganser, PA-S

Resources:
AAPA Career Central - Become a PA
AAPA Member Central - Pre-PA
9 Reasons to Become a PA
6 Steps to Become a PA

Episode 16 – PA School and Beyond: Perspectives From PA Student Leaders

Each Vital Minds episode will feature a conversation between host James Millward, an early career PA, and a guest expert on a topic of relevance to the PA and healthcare provider audience, ranging from mental health to obesity to pain management and many more. The series will explore nuances of the featured topic and provide solid tips and information PAs can put into practice to benefit patients.

Vital Minds is a podcast of the PA Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that promotes better health and wellness by providing PAs and PA students with philanthropic opportunities and resources.

Science & Medicine

Natural Sciences

Social Sciences

Medicine

Health

Alternative Health

Self-Help

Sexuality

Fitness & Nutrition

Government & Organizations

Non-Profit

National

Regional

Local

Episode 29 - May 2023
Topic: Health Equity in Aging
Host: James Millward, DMSc, PA-C
Guests: Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD, and Nathan Hart, PA-C

Resources:
World Health Organization - Ageing and Health
American Society on Aging
Alzheimer's Association - Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
CDC - Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging - Dementia Risk Reduction
CDC - Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias Among Adults Aged ≥45 Years — United States, 2019
World Health Organization - Discrimination and negative attitudes about ageing are bad for your health
National Library of Medicine - "Ageism Amplifies Cost and Prevalence of Health Conditions." Levy BR, Slade MD, Chang ES, Kannoth S, Wang SY. Ageism Amplifies Cost and Prevalence of Health Conditions. Gerontologist. 2020 Jan 24;60(1):174-181. doi: 10.1093/geront/gny131. PMID: 30423119; PMCID: PMC7182003.
Alzheimer Society of Canada - Stigma Against Dementia
Louise Aronson - "Elderhood"
Administration for Community Living - Area Agencies on Aging
CDC - Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging - Social Determinants of Health and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Episode 29 – Health Equity in Aging

Episode 28 - January 2023
The pathways to career success for PAs are limitless. In this episode, take inspiration from three PAs who have followed nontraditional career paths outside the clinical practice setting – including tips on drawing from your education and experience to explore new opportunities, advocating for yourself and the PA profession in the workplace, and more.

Hosts: James Millward, DMSc, PA-C; Andrea Lowe, MHA, MBA, PA-C
Guests: Jacqueline J. Spiegel, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, CHSE; Kimberly Sapre, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-EM; Christine Gardella, MMS, PA-C

Resources:
IntelliScript: Clarifying Risk and Opportunity with Industry-leading Insurtech
Medicine at Home: Compassionate Care Matters
US News: Health - Christine Gardella, MMS, PA-C
AAPA News Central - "Looking for a Non-Clinical Role? Consider Medical or Clinical Science Liaison"

Episode 28 – PAs Who Go Beyond: Nontraditional PA Success Stories

Episode 27 - December 2022
Topic: Flu Vaccination: Navigating Clinical Guidance and Addressing Hesitancy
Host: James Millward, DMSc, PA-C
Guests: Felicia Gutierrez, PA-C; Sarah McQueen, DMS, PA-C; Justin Wolfe MHS, PA-C

Resources:
AAPA/PA Foundation animated video - "Flu Vaccine: The More You Know"
"In the Words of PAs" blog post - "Flu Vaccination: Using the Health Belief Model to Increase Vaccine Uptake"
JAAPA: October 2022 - "Using the Health Belief Model to improve influenza vaccination rates"
CDC - Influenza (Flu)
CDC - Key Facts About Influenza (Flu)
CDC - Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2022–23 Influenza Season
CDC - Adjuvanted Flu Vaccine
AAPA/PA Foundation animated video - "Flu Vaccine: The More You Know"
Sanofi - Flu Shot Importance Flash Card
Sanofi - Myth Busters Flash Card

Episode 27 – Flu Vaccination: Navigating Clinical Guidance and Addressing Hesitancy

Episode 26 - August 2022
Topic: The Role of Peer Support Specialists in Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse
Host: James Millward, DMSc, PA-C
Guests: Richard Bottner, DHA, PA-C, CPHQ, and Jessi Davis, MHPS, RSPS

Resources:
View the Foundation’s full suite of resources: “Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse in Special Patient Populations”
National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.)
N.A.P.S. - National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors
National Association of Peer Supporters webinar series
Johns Hopkins Medicine - Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality - Peer Supporters
United States Government Accountability Office - Substance Use Disorder - Medicaid Coverage of Peer Support Services for Adults
SAMHSA - Behavioral Health Workforce Report
Doors to Wellbeing - Peer Specialists
Peers in Texas: Workforce Outcomes
SAMHSA Advisory: Peer Support Services in Crisis Care

Episode 26 – The Role of Peer Support Specialists in Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse

Episode 25 - July 2022
Topic: Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Importance of Early Screening and Intervention
Host: James Millward, DMSc, PA-C
Guests: Cynthia (Dunn) Beam, MPAS, PA-C, and Rebecca Loomis, MSPAS, PA-C

Resources:
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (The MoCA Test)
Mini-Cog© – Quick Screening for Early Dementia Detection
Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
The Gerontological Society of America – The GSA KAER Toolkit for Primary Care Teams
Alzheimer's Association - Use of the Functional Activities Questionnaire in Older Adults with Dementia
Alzheimer's Association - AD8 Dementia Screening Interview
Alzheimer's Association - Cognitive Assessment for Professionals
American Academy of Family Physicians - Cognitive and Functional Assessment Tools
Alzheimer's Association - 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Eldercare Locator - Area Agencies on Aging

Episode 16 – PA School and Beyond: Perspectives From PA Student Leaders

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