My friends, there’s so much happening it’s hard to know where to start. PA Week is just around the corner. And look at this: the 2024 PAEA National Conference happens on the same week. The PAEA Education Forum brings together PA programs for faculty development, recognition, leadership forums and research opportunities. Workshops begin on October 6, leading to the Education Forum from October 8-10. You bet we’ll be there!

Are you going to the conference? I welcome you to visit Scott Massey PhD LLC at Booth 409. Here is our schedule:

·        Tuesday, Oct 8, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM – Show hours

·        Wednesday, Oct 9, 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM – Breakfast with Exhibitors

·        Wednesday, Oct 9, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM – Lunch with Exhibitors

·        Wednesday, Oct 9, 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM – Coffee Break with Exhibitors

·        Thursday, Oct 10, 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM – Breakfast with Exhibitors

·        Thursday, Oct 10, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM – Lunch with Exhibitors

·        Thursday, Oct 10, 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM – Coffee Break with Exhibitors

I will be present all three days. I’m bringing special guests with me, too: on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, we’ll have a representative from our Student Success Program to demonstrate our new online course, “Student Success Coach Training.”

A representative from Edulytic Solutions, our data division, will be on hand to demonstrate our state-of-the-art predictive modeling system that is revolutionizing student success. It’s a true game-changer! (You can learn more at https://edulyticsolutions.com/predictive-scoring). 

Also on Wednesday and Thursday morning - one of our Massey Consultants will be on hand to discuss all things consulting. 

Mention that you attended one or more of our webinars in 2024 and get a Godiva chocolate!

Now, without further ado, allow me to introduce two more of our outstanding consultants:

Deb Munsell, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Dr. Deb Munsell's remarkable four-decade career in the Physician Assistant (PA) profession is a testament to her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership. As a cornerstone in the field of PA education, Dr. Munsell witnessed the profession's evolution and has been instrumental in shaping its future.

Growing up in a small rural town in southeast Texas, young Deb Munsell harbored big dreams. As a first-generation college student in the mid-1970s, she was driven by a passion to make a difference in healthcare, particularly for underserved communities. Having lived through the civil unrest in the 1960’s and 1970’s, she was eager to be a “part of the solution” for the underserved.

Her journey into the PA profession was serendipitous yet fateful. “I was in my comparative anatomy lab when my instructor announced she’d been admitted to PA school,” Dr. Munsell recalls. “It felt right to me, even though the profession was in its infancy.”

This pivotal moment led her to the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston (UTMB) Program, setting the stage for a career that would span nearly as long as the PA profession itself. Deb had a special connection with UTMB not only because members of her family had been treated there, but because of an influential field trip she’d taken during high school.

Her Biology II class had once toured the sprawling facility, learning the amazing stories of time and circumstances molding the expert medical care that UTMB now provides. A key moment occurred when, in the renowned prosthetics lab, her class recognized the plaster-cast mold of a fellow classmate, who had undergone numerous reconstructive procedures. “We saw the results of over 12 years of care.” It was then that Deb knew she wanted to pursue a healthcare career.

 When she entered PA school in the 1970’s, the PA profession was in its infancy. The profession was intended to train clinically skilled medics for rural health care. There were no laws, organizations, statutes or processes that signified entry into a “profession.”  In fact, when she graduated, there was a “physician glut” and the need for PAs was assumed to be over.

 However, the statisticians were wrong. Dr. Munsell continues to be amazed at the growth and progression of the PA profession, and she credits PA education as the main cause. “(PAs) are educated to think like physicians, using evidence-based, critical thinking skills in the process of developing viable differential diagnoses, to work alongside physicians to increase access to health care.”

Dr. Munsell's impact on PA education is profound and far-reaching. Her expertise in achieving provisional accreditation and guiding programs through the accreditation process has been invaluable to the field. As the inaugural Program Director for both the Louisiana State University Health Science Centre-New Orleans PA Program and the Mississippi State University PA Program, she played a crucial role in establishing and nurturing these institutions.

Her leadership extends beyond program development. As a principal faculty member, Dr. Munsell has dedicated herself to training countless PA students, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional patient care. Her approach to education is holistic, focusing not just on clinical skills but also on instilling a sense of responsibility and advocacy in her students.

Throughout her career, Dr. Munsell has been driven by a deep-seated passion for learning and a commitment to increasing healthcare access for all. Her experiences as a clinician have reinforced her belief in the importance of compassionate care.

"When a patient or family member expresses that they felt well cared for, it's validation that I'm fulfilling a need," she shares. "Those quiet, personal moments remind me why I chose this path."

Dr. Munsell's dedication to the PA profession is matched only by her advocacy for healthcare accessibility. Her personal experiences with the lack of healthcare access in her youth have fueled her lifelong mission to be a voice for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

Today, Dr. Munsell continues significantly contributing to the PA field as a valuable consultant team member at Scott Massey PhD LLC. Her extensive experience in PA program development and accreditation makes her an invaluable resource for institutions looking to establish or improve their PA programs.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Munsell's zest for life and community involvement shine through. As a member of the Krewe of King Arthur, a prominent Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans, she embodies the spirit of celebration and philanthropy that characterizes her approach to both life and work.

Dressed up for the parade: the Krewe of King Arthur. Regarding this pic, Dr. Munsell says, “I’m the short one!”

Dr. Deb Munsell's journey from a small-town dreamer to a pivotal figure in PA education is a story of perseverance, passion, and profound impact. Her legacy in shaping the PA profession and her continued dedication to improving healthcare education and access serve as an inspiration to current and future generations of healthcare professionals.

Medea Valdez, DHEd, MPAS, PA-C

Dr. Medea Valdez's clinical journey began in the early 1990s in New York City, at the height of the AIDS epidemic. She developed a profound sense of compassion for her patients here, amidst the challenges of addiction medicine. "There but for the grace of God, go I," a mentor once told her, words that would shape her approach to patient care throughout her career. 

This early experience ignited a passion that would drive Medea to excel in both clinical practice and education. Her educational journey is as impressive as it is diverse: Doctor of Health Education from A.T. Still University; Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Oregon Health and Science University; Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science from Long Island University; and Bachelor of Science in Biology from Houghton College.

Medea’s career is marked by a series of influential roles that have left an indelible mark on PA education:

• Director and Assistant Professor at Saint Elizabeth University (2017-present): Developing and leading the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Degree Program

• Executive Director at Kean University (2014-2017): Spearheading program and policy development for the School of Physician Assistant Studies

• Associate Director and Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences: Contributing to academic excellence and program leadership

As the first full-time consultant hired by Scott Massey PhD, LLC, Dr. Valdez brings her wealth of experience to bear in supporting PA programs across the country. Her approach is both practical and motivating. “I love enabling program faculty to have the space and support to step back, breathe, and take a holistic view of what they want to achieve; then helping them find the ways to accomplish those goals.”

Medea’s consulting philosophy is rooted in her belief that PA educators need support to navigate the competing demands on their time while preparing future medical providers. She advocates for teamwork, implementing manageable timelines and processes that allow programs to see the value in robust self-assessment. Among her co-workers at Scott Massey PhD, LLC, Medea is affectionately called the “keeper of the timelines,” because these are such valuable tools for getting programs on the right track toward obtaining and maintaining accreditation.

Medea’s impact extends beyond the walls of academia. She is in the process of co-founding a non-profit organization aimed at empowering single mothers living in poverty. This initiative reflects her belief in the transformative power of education and support, not just in healthcare but in society at large. “I’m so glad I planned and implemented headed a PA program,” she adds, knowing that the experience prepared her well for the rigors of founding an organization.

Medea’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and has received numerous accolades, including the Taylor-Moses Institute Leadership in Medicine Award and recognition in the NJ Biz Education Power 50.

As she looks to the future, Medea remains inspired by the words of her late mother: "Remember whose daughter you are." This reminder, coupled with her strong faith, continues to drive her forward in her mission to make a difference in people's lives through education and healthcare.

In her role at Scott Massey PhD, LLC, Dr. Valdez is excited about the opportunity to continue learning and sharing her knowledge with other program faculty. “It is an exciting time to be a PA,” she says. "Our profession continues to grow, and our educators are committed to educating and mentoring amazing PAs.”

Next week in our blog:

In our final blog before PA Week, I’ll share my story of outreach and adventure as a PA. My career contributed to an incredible opportunity for multiple travels to Haiti, to provide healthcare and develop health and education programs. I faced danger, witnessed incredible acts of generosity and professionalism, and found a priceless treasure. I’m proud to be part of a community with the flexibility, education and heart to reach around the world. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.