Get ready to don your stethoscopes and raise your thermometers high! It's almost time for the most exciting week in healthcare – Physician Assistant Week!

From October 6-12, the U.S. rolls out the red carpet for these incredible healthcare superheroes who've been bridging gaps in patient care since the 1960s. But hold onto your lab coats, folks – this isn't just any ordinary celebration for us.

At Scott Massey PhD LLC, everything we do is for Physician Assistants/Associates, whether it’s consulting with PA schools as they achieve and maintain accreditation, offering PA student success coaching services to improve student performance and reduce attrition, or presenting a wide variety of free webinars to guide programs through the business of educating tomorrow’s PAs.

For the next six weeks, I’m excited to bring you a truly special blog series that will feature our staff of coaches and consultants. Each week you’ll meet more of our team and learn what makes them uniquely suited to this rewarding career.

A young profession fills a historical gap

Picture this: It's 1965, and Dr. Eugene Stead at Duke University has a lightbulb moment. He realizes there's a dire need for more hands-on-deck in the medical field. Fast forward to today, and voila! We have over 150,000 PAs across the United States, working tirelessly to keep our communities healthy and thriving.

But wait, there's more! PA Week itself has a fascinating history. It all began in 1987 when the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) decided these healthcare heroes deserved their own spotlight. And boy, were they right.

PAs aren't just healthcare providers; they're the Swiss Army knives of the medical world. From primary care to specialized fields, these versatile professionals are making waves and saving lives.

Hold onto your stethoscopes, because the future of the PA profession is looking brighter than a freshly polished otoscope! With an expected growth rate of 31% over the next decade, PAs are set to play an even more crucial role in our healthcare system.

Imagine a world where healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered. That's the world PAs are creating, one patient at a time. I’m both humbled and proud to be part of the future of healthcare.

Weekly until October 9, we’ll run blog features about our outstanding coaches and consultants, and all the ways we can celebrate the profession. We’ve got some pretty impressive people here, and I can’t wait to tell you all about them.

Let’s kick this event off by introducing two of our consultants, Vivian Moynihan, MD, MPH, and Antoinette Polito, EdD, PA-C.

Vivian Moynihan, MD, MPH

Dr. Vivian Moynihan, MD, MPH is a distinguished consultant at Scott Massey PhD LLC, where she leverages her extensive experience to guide physician assistant (PA) program directors through the complex accreditation process. With a career spanning over 14 years in PA education, Vivian brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

As the former head of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), Vivian possesses an unparalleled understanding of accreditation standards and expectations. Her insider perspective allows her to provide invaluable insights to PA programs, addressing the most common question she hears: "What does ARC-PA want?"

Vivian’s foundation as a board-certified OB-GYN adds a unique dimension to her consultancy. Obstetrics is “largely a coaching/consulting endeavor. Support and guidance make a big difference.”  Her clinical background, combined with her academic pursuits, enables her to bridge the gap between medical practice and education effectively.

This blend of experiences has made her an asset in fostering excellence among PA educators. Her approach to consultancy is deeply rooted in her upbringing, crediting her magnificent parents for instilling a strong work ethic and belief in her abilities.

In her role at Scott Massey PhD LLC, Vivian finds fulfillment in being “on the side of the angels,” helping PA programs navigate the enormous amount of work that accreditation presents. Her guidance is instrumental in helping programs understand and manage the rigorous standards set by ARC-PA.

“Scott has a world of experience, a brilliant mind, and a kind heart,” she says.

A little-known fact about Vivian adds a touch of whimsy to her professional persona: the only poem she has ever memorized is Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" – a choice that perhaps reflects her ability to make sense of complex systems and turn challenges into opportunities. Plus, let’s admit it, Jabberwocky is just a really fun poem.

Dr. Vivian Moynihan's unique blend of clinical expertise, educational experience, and accreditation knowledge makes her an invaluable resource to PA educators.

Antoinette Polito, EdD, PA-C

Antoinette Polito, EdD, PA-C, is a distinguished PA education consultant at Scott Massey PhD, LLC, bringing over two decades of experience as a Physician Assistant and 15 years as a dedicated PA educator.

Antoinette's path to becoming a PA was unconventional. It wasn't until she was almost 40 that she discovered her calling. "The scope of practice suited me very well, and the length of time in school was realistic for me as a self-supporting working adult," she reflects. This unique perspective allows her to connect with and inspire students from diverse backgrounds.

Since earning her PA degree from Duke University in 1999, Antoinette has carved an impressive career path. Her clinical experience spans from rural primary care to academic oncology, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare landscape. In 2009, she transitioned into education, teaching at prestigious institutions including Duke University and Oregon Health & Sciences University.

One of Antoinette's crowning achievements was her role as the founding Director of Didactic Education at Valparaiso University's PA Program. This experience honed her skills in curriculum development and program establishment, skills she now brings to her consulting work.

Her educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that PA education is a transformative journey. "PA education challenges each person to develop a new identity as a professional, compassionate provider of care to others," Antoinette explains. "At the same time, one must take care to nurture themselves. It's a complicated dance; coaches are there for support and encouragement and to provide tips on technique."

Antoinette's experience in oncology and palliative care has profoundly shaped her approach to healthcare and education. "Most of the patients I've worked with clinically were terminally ill," she shares. "There is much more joy than many people imagine. Of course, there is also the kind of sadness that challenges all of one's emotions almost every day."

This experience has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the human aspect of medicine. She often cites Oliver Sacks as one of her heroes, admiring his ability to "document the lives of his patients and their illnesses in such a beautiful way that we can't miss the humanity of medicine."

At the core of Antoinette's approach is an insatiable curiosity. "It's the way I roll," she says. "I always want to learn new things and know more about things I do know. It drives me forward in all areas of my life." She believes that this curiosity distinguishes great healthcare professionals, encouraging her students and clients to always ask the next question. 

And here’s a fun fact: Antoinette has visited 46 out of 50 states – a testament to her adventurous spirit and love for exploration, both in her personal life and professional career!

As a consultant at Scott Massey PhD, LLC, Antoinette brings her wealth of experience to support and guide PA educators. "PA educators need consultants because there is no clear roadmap for this journey!" she explains. Her role is to be a guide, offering techniques and confidence to navigate the complex terrain of PA education.

Antoinette's work with Scott's team is driven by a shared mission: "We all want the same thing: a future with outstanding PA programs training amazing PAs." Her approach to consulting mirrors her teaching philosophy – focused on creating "light-bulb moments" and helping clients see their way through challenges.

With her eyes set on the horizon, Antoinette is passionate about addressing the broader challenges in healthcare. "I look forward to when we as a country can come to terms with the fact that healthcare in the US is a broken system," she states. "I want us to work together to do better for everyone."

As she continues her journey at Scott Massey PhD, LLC, Dr. Antoinette Polito remains committed to shaping the future of PA education. Her unique blend of clinical expertise, educational innovation, and personal warmth makes her an invaluable asset in the field of PA education consulting.

Next time…

Great job, Drs. Moynihan and Polito! Thanks for being part of our team.

In our next blog, readers will get to know even more of our outstanding consultants. We’ll hear from Jennifer Eames, MPAS, DHSc, PA-C, and Stephanie Bowlin, PhD as we move closer to National PA Week!