Canadian PA Podcast

Allie Penrose is a graduate of the inaugural Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) cohort at Dalhousie University and part of the first group of Physician Assistants practicing in Nova Scotia. Prior to PA school, she spent six years in specialized clinical roles at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, working in organ and tissue donation and stem cell transplantation. This experience provided direct exposure to high-acuity care, surgical environments, and longitudinal patient interaction, reinforcing her decision to pursue clinical medicine through a non-physician pathway.Before committing to the PA profession, she evaluated multiple healthcare roles including respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, anesthesia assisting, and physiotherapy. In this episode, she outlines her approach to the Dalhousie MPAS application process, including managing a compressed timeline and preparing for the MMI with limited lead time.She also discusses first-year workload and burnout, second-year clinical training, and the realities of entering practice in a province where the PA role is still emerging.View full show notes, resources and transcript:👉 canadianpa.ca/podcast/36IN THIS EPISODE:Part 1: Allie’s Pre-PA Journey00:22 Meet Allie01:28 Discovering the PA profession04:49 Getting healthcare exposure06:51 PA awareness in Nova ScotiaPart 2: Dalhousie PA Admissions08:05 Dalhousie PA Admissions overview14:44 Building strong healthcare experience16:55 Staying organized during PA Apps19:56 MMI interview prep24:13 Does GPA determine competitivenessPart 3: Inside Dalhousie PA School25:46 Inside Dalhousie MPAS31:09 Study strategies that worked32:42 Clerkship as the first PA student34:44 Can you work during PA school35:30 Rural vs urban rotations37:22 Licensing and first PA jobs37:57 How PA school prepared Allie39:16 Explaining the PA role to employersPart 4: Advice for Future Applicants41:44 Advice for Pre-PA students43:33 Study tools and apps45:25 Final thoughtsCONNECT: Instagram@alliepenrose_ @dal.mpas@canadian.pa@canadianpapodcastRESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONEDRecommended Books for MMI PreparationDalhousie MPAS Admissions InformationNova Scotia PA Pilot ProjectPracticing as a PA: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS)PA Resource Page: CPSNSCelebrating PAs in Nova Scotia for PA DayLEARN MORE ABOUT PAs IN CANADAFree Canadian PA Admissions Comparison Chart 👉 http://canadianpa.ca/admissionspdfList of PA Programs in Canada 👉 ⁠http://canadianpa.ca/paprograms⁠What is a PA? 👉 http://canadianpa.ca/whatisapaCANADIAN PA COMMUNITYFacebook Group 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadaprepaDiscord Community 👉 canadianpa.ca/discordJoin the Community 👉 ⁠canadianpa.ca/join

Sonya P. is a first-year student at the University of Calgary’s MPAS program who gained acceptance into PA school in her 3rd round of applications. In this video, she shares how she navigated rejection, what changed the second time around, and what life’s been like in her first year of PA school.View full episode show notes:canadianpa.ca/podcast/35IN THIS EPISODE:Part 1: Discovering the PA Path​00:42 How Sonya Found the PA profession​03:26 Shadowing PAs First Time​04:10 Sonya’s Pre-PA Stats​07:01 Her Acceptance JourneyPart 2: Sonya’s Experience with PA Admissions​07:50 Reapplying After Rejection​13:14 Applying Out-of-Province​14:46 Inside Calgary Admissions​16:49 CASPer Test Strategy​19:43 References That MatterPart 3: Inside PA School​22:50 Starting PA School​23:47 Calgary MPAS Program Structure​27:44 How PA Students Study​30:58 Best Study ToolsPart 4: Real PA Student Life​34:54 Day in PA School​38:00 Balancing School and Life​40:02 What Second Year BringsPart 5: Advice for Applicants​42:28 Preparing for PA Practice​44:13 Advice for Pre-PAs​45:14 Fixing Application Weaknesses​47:30 Managing Application DeadlinesCONNECT WITH CANADIAN PAIG @canadian.paIG @canadianpapodcastYT: youtube.com/CanadianPACanadian PA Community:Pre-PA Facebook GroupPre-PA Discord ChatSubscribe to the Canadian PA Community

Nawal shares how she gained multiple Canadian PA program offers of admissions. She talks about what helped her stand out, how she found patient care experience, tips for interviews, navigating the Casper test, and what life is actually like as a PA student.Connect with Nawal: http://instagram.com/nawal_arshi_________________✰ IN THIS VIDEO:00:00 From Undergrad to Accepted PA Student04:23 Exploring Career Paths: Why PA Made SensePA ADMISISONS:05:16 Gaining Health Care Experiences from scratch09:52 Securing Strong references with Limited Connections12:00 Leveraging Extracurriculars in your PA Application14:47 Pre-PA Snapshot: My Application Stats18:10 Choosing the Right Program: Why I Picked Calgary MPAS27:19 A Walkthrough of the PA Admissions Timeline28:48 Casper Test Prep: What Worked for Me36:22 Preparing for MMI Interviews: Strategies and Insights40:44 Developing Professional Communication Skills: Learning Early and FastLIFE AS A CALGARY MPAS STUDENT:43:50 Relocating and Starting PA School in Calgary49:10 A Day in the Life: Calgary MPAS Year 1 (PA-S1)54:07 Study Tools That Help Me Stay Organized and Focused57:00 How I Study: Adapting to the Demands of PA School01:01:18 Making Group Study Effective in PA School01:05:59 What to Expect from 2nd Year Clinical Placements (PA-S2)FINAL NOTES:01:07:24 Advice I’d Give Every Pre-PA Student01:10:14 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected_________________✰ MORE ABOUT CALGARY MPAS:Calgary MPAS Program Website ➡︎ : https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/physician-assistantCalgary MPAS Instagram ➡︎ http://instagram.com/calgarympas

Curious about the University of Calgary’s Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies? Join us for an engaging webinar featuring current PA students who share their experiences, insights, and advice about the program. Learn about the application process, program structure, and what it’s like to be a PA student in Canada. Featuring 1st year Calgary MPAS Students, Anithra, and Jayden. Moderated by Sonya. Thank you to Calgary's MPAS Student Association for agreeing to put this on!📚 Topics Covered:- Day-to-day life as a PA student- Tips for prospective applicants- Program highlights and clinical placements- Balancing school, work, and personal life

Aurthi is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant working in Emergency Medicine and in her first year of PA practice! We first interviewed Aurthi when was just starting the second semester in her first year of PA school! She now reflects back on her journey. JUMP TO: 00:53 Update from Aurthi Since 1st year PA School2:41 Finding work after Completing PA school in OntarioWORKING IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE:4:13 What drew me to Emergency Medicine5:30 Where PAs work in the Our Emergency Department7:23 Benefits of adding a PA to the ED8:49 Common Conditions seen in the ED10:22 Procedures PAs performing in the ED11:53 Different Patients we treat in the ED12:51 What a Patient can expect when seeing by a PA13:44 Orientation to the ED as a New PA Hire15:29 How PA School prepared me for my first PA Job16:36 What can Doctors Expect when working with a PA18:24 PA Scope of Practice in the Emergency Department17:50 The PA/MD Relationship in the Emergency Department21:41 Who do PAs work with in the Emergency Dept22:30 Impact COVID-19 has had on Aurthi's practiceRESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY MEDICINE: 24:09 Tips to Succeed in your Emergency Medicine Rotation (Tips for PA Students)25:49 Preparing for End-of-Rotation Exam in Emergency Medicine (Tips for PA Students)26:24 Helpful Resources for Emergency Department PAsPA JOB HUNT: 27:34 Tips for Securing Employment after PA School29:37 Job Market for New PA Grads in OntarioREFLECTING ON PA PRACTICE: 31:13 Reflecting on my Decision to Become a PA in Canada322:10 What I enjoy about being a PA

The webinar will briefly go over the different PA school program application requirements and then we will go into detail about what each component is and how the first-year PA students approached each aspect.Original webinar was hosted by Pradha (@pradha_the_pre_pa) on instagram, reposted with permission from Pradha and webinar panelists. Please note: Always check the PA program websites for the most up-to-date information on admissions. This webinar was presented for the 2021-2022 Admissions Cycle based on information available on October 17, 2021. ___HOST: Pradha: https://www.instagram.com/pradha_the_pre_pa/𝐌𝐜𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐀𝐄𝐏 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Heidi (@thesunnypa)▫️ Jaimin (@jpegg_thepa)▫️ Olivia (@thesurferpa )▫️ Selina (@selinathepa)𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐚 𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Dana (dana_skaritko)▫️ Laural (@lkthepa)𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐒𝐜𝐏𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Carolyn (@thenwopa)▫️ Casey (@caseythepa)Original publish date: October 21, 2021

From a Live Q&A with 1st year University of Toronto PA Students Hannah and MC. JUMP TO A SPECIFIC QUESTION IN THE Q&A:Part 1: Pre-PA Journey• 1:53 Why did you choose to become a PA?• 5:24 What helped you stand out on your application?• 9:15 What were your Pre-PA Stats?Part 2: Life in PA School• 13:03 Why did you chose to attend UofT's PA Program?• 16:56 What is 1st year PA School like at UofT?• 19:35 What is the best way to stay on top of studies in an online delivery model? • 23:25 What happens in 2nd year PA School?• 24:38 How are you graded in PA school? (pass/fail/%?)• 26:44 How hard is PA School? • 29:46 Is it possible to work while in PA School? Part 3: Applying to PA School - Admission Requirements, Interview Tips• 32:10 What makes a strong candidate for UofT's PA Program?• 35:09 UofT PA program Admission Requirements• 37:34 Health Care Experience Hours for PA School• 39:37 UofT's PA Supplemental Application: Tips & Approach• 43:57 Format of UofT's PA School Interviews this year (2021 Application cycle)• 46:58 How to practice for the MMI• 53:56 Waitlisted for the MMIPart 4: Reapplying to PA School• 55:57 Rejection from PA School: How to strengthen your application for next year• 1:00:15 Time it takes to process the initial PA school rejection• 1:04:02 Changing your PA school app when re-applying• 1:06:03 Parting words, words of advice from Hannah & MC

Getting In, Problem-Based Learning, and Interview PrepIn this episode, I sit down with Shada and Toni, two first-year McMaster PA students who survived the application cycle and lived to tell the tale. We pull back the curtain on the "med school mindset" trap, the reality of McMaster’s Problem-Based Learning (PBL) style, and why your summer camp job might actually be your greatest interview asset. IN THIS EPISODE: 02:00 Why did you choose to become a PA?06:03 How did you choose your undergraduate degree?11:57 Experiences that made you a strong PA school candidate20:26 Why McMaster's PA program?28:05 What problem-based learning looks like in PA school35:38 What first year PA school is really like41:11 What happens during second year and clerkship44:29 Admission requirements explained47:20 Are patient care hours required?49:25 Tips for the McMaster supplementary application54:26 What the MMI interview is really like55:47 How is a virtual MMI different than in-person?58:59 Preparing for PA school interviews01:12:07 How should you dress for the virtual MMI?01:16:23 Managing nerves during the MMI01:23:22 Final advice for future PA applicantsABOUT OUR GUESTSToni, PA-S1 Toni is a first-year PA student at McMaster University with a background in Honors Biochemistry and Psychology. Before PA school, she was a lead planner for McMaster’s Science Welcome Week and a volunteer assisting individuals with spinal cord injuries. Shada, PA-S1 Shada is a first-year PA student at McMaster University who completed her undergrad in Biomedical Science and Neuroscience at the University of Guelph. A long-time camp counselor turned senior staff member, she brings a deep focus on advocacy and community to her journey toward becoming a PA. Originally published: April 22, 2021

Ever wondered if you can actually survive the University of Manitoba’s PA program without completely disappearing from your own life? In this episode I'm joined by Rachel and Kelsey, two current students who pull back the curtain on the "Master’s" side of PA education, from managing remote work during the didactic year to navigating the stress of the MMI. KEY TAKEAWAYSLeverage the U of M shadowing program. If you are in Winnipeg, stop guessing what the job is like and apply for the WRHA's formal shadowing program; it affirmed everything for Rachel and will give you concrete stories for your interview. Journal your "competency stories" now. Don't just read about the MMI; look at the PA competencies and the university’s mission statement, then write out specific life experiences that prove you align with them so you aren't digging through your memory mid-interview. Choose references who actually know you. Pick people who have seen you handle a disagreement or a heavy workload rather than someone who will just list generic qualities; the admissions committee wants to see how you'll act in a real-world team. Embrace the generalist mindset. Remember that unlike an MD who specializes early, you are being trained to move between fields; focus your "Why PA" answer on that flexibility and the desire for constant, frontline patient interaction. Don't sweat the "perfect" undergrad degree. Whether it's Arts or Science, Manitoba just wants to see a four-year degree and high performance; pick a major you actually enjoy so you can keep your GPA high and your options open. ABOUT OUR GUESTSRachel and Kelsie, PA-S are current students in the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. Rachel came to the program with a background in clinical psychology and research, while Kelsey navigated the application process as a successful out-of-province candidate. Originally published April 18, 2021

What does it actually look like to build a PA role from the ground up in a high-needs environment? In this episode, I sit down with Anthony, a 2018 Toronto PA program grad who walked away from a stable neurosurgery gig to tackle the "wild west" of addictions and mental health in downtown Ottawa. It’s a raw, honest look at the grit required to serve stigmatized populations and why being a PA is sometimes about much more than just the medicineWHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO: • 0:15 Working with Vulnerable Populations• 1:48 Working in Primary Care, Addictions & Mental Health as a PA• 5:03 A Typical Day in the Life of a PA in Primary Care, Addictions & Mental Health• 6:40 Medical Directives to work with Indirect Supervision• 7:08 Getting Oriented to a New Practice as a new PA Hire• 8:27 Common Conditions Seen• 9:18 Less Common Conditions Seen• 11:14 Working with Marginalized Populations• 13:57 Challenges on the JobABOUT OUR GUESTAnthony, is a 2018 graduate of the University of Toronto PA program. After gaining experience in neurosurgery, he transitioned to full-time practice in downtown Ottawa, where he focuses on the intersection of primary care, mental health, and addictions medicine. He is currently the primary PA resource for a multi-clinic organization serving the city's most vulnerable populations.Originally published March 5, 2021

Shada is a 1st year PA student at McMaster University and she shares her experience exploring different careers in health care, applying to PA school and studying as a PA student. What you'll learn in this interview with Shada:• 1:15 How Shada heard about the PA profession• 5:13 What drew me to the PA profession• 6:20 Speaking to my Family about becoming a PA• 8:28 Exploring Different Careers in Health Care• 10:56 My Pre-PA Shadowing Experience• 14:16 Applying to Canadian PA programs• 14:55 Standing out on PA Admissions• 18:01 Experiences I attribute to My Success• 20:53 Self-Reflective Questions Pre-PAs can Ask• 23:01 Habits I had to maintain a good GPA• 25:35 How I Prepared for PA Admissions• 28:40 My Experience in PA School• 31:26 Adjusting to Online learning during COVID-19• 33:37 Documenting my PA Journey on Instagram• 38:57 What I find challenging about the PA professionOriginally published: January 30, 2021

How Journaling Helped Hannah Build a Competitive PA School ApplicationWhen you’re navigating the road to becoming a Physician Assistant in Canada, there are a lot of unknowns. This is especially true when you're choosing between different career paths, managing self-doubt, and trying to stand out in an increasingly competitive applicant pool.In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Hannah Keith, a first-year PA student at the University of Toronto, who shares her honest and thoughtful journey to PA school. Hannah was accepted to both McMaster and U of T and what helped guide her was something simple but powerful: journaling.EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Hannah Keith, a first-year PA student at the University of Toronto, who shares her honest and thoughtful journey to PA school. Hannah was accepted to both McMaster and U of T, and what helped guide her was something simple but powerful: journaling.What We Cover in This Episode:The “Why PA” Pivot: How Hannah shifted her focus from a lifelong goal of medical school to the PA profession through intentional research and journaling.Building Your Experience Bank: Hannah’s strategy for using an Excel sheet to map her volunteer and work experiences (like being a fitness instructor and teaching calculus) to the CanMEDS-PA roles.Direct vs. Indirect Patient Care: Why working as a medical receptionist provided the “rapport-building” skills necessary for PA school, even without prior certifications.Resilience and GPA: A candid look at overcoming a rocky start in undergrad and why a high GPA is about long-term perseverance, not a perfect score on every test.Family & the “New” Profession: Tips on how to bring family members along your journey to help them understand and support your choice of a non-traditional medical career.Interview Prep: Using resources like Doing Right and Mock MMIs to prepare for the Kira Talent and virtual interview process.ABOUT OUR GUESTHannah is a first-year PA student at the University of Toronto. Originally from British Columbia, she has a background in biology and specialized graduate training in aging and health. With experience ranging from overseas clinical observation in Malawi to working in local family practices, she is passionate about team-based care and the future of the PA profession in Canada.Follow Hannah’s PA journey on Instagram @hannah.the.pa

Andrew Lim is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant who works in Orthopaedic Surgery at Sunnybrook alongside their department of 16 Orthopaedic Surgeons, many residents and fellows. He is a graduate of McMaster's PA program.This video is the FULL interview. You can jump to a certain section of the interview: Part A: Andrew's Journey to Becoming a PA• 00:27 Before becoming a PA• 2:31 What I enjoy about being a PA• 3:15 My Experience in PA School• 4:48 Tips for Excelling in your Clerkship Year• 5:33 How PA School Prepared me• 6:18 Securing Employment after Graduating from PA SchoolPart B: Working in Orthopaedic Surgery:• 7:28 What is the Specialty of Orthopaedic Surgery?• 8:39 Describing the Department I work in• 9:21 How the PA role fills in the Gaps in Care• 10:25 Day in the life - Inpatient/Ward Management• 12:09 Day in the Life - On-Call Responsibilities• 13:49 Common Conditions I come across, and Procedures I perform• 16:48 My role in the Fracture Clinic• 18:37 Teaching with Residents and Fellows• 19:34 A typical Week in the Life of a PA in Ortho TraumaPart C: Integrating a PA into an Orthopaedic Surgery Department: • 20:37 Hows PAs are Utilized in the Orthopaedic Surgery Department• 21:38 Tracking PA Productivity• 22:59 Steps to Integrating a PA into the Department• 24:02 What are Medical Directives?• 24:49 Prescribing Medication as a PA• 25:25 What to Expect when adding a PA to your Practice• 26:40 Scope of Practice of Orthopaedic Surgery PAsPart D: Reflecting on PA Practice:• 27:25 What I enjoy about Orthopaedic Surgery• 28:20 Challenges of Working in Orthopaedic Surgery• 29:34 Working with a PA vs. Resident/Fellow: Similarities and Differences• 30:30 The PA/MD Relationship: Attributes of a Physician who would work well with a PA• 31:24 Staying on top of Updates in Orthopaedic Surgery: CME and Ortho Conferences• 32:45 Tips for PA students/PAs interested in Orthopaedic Surgery• 33:45 How I see my role evolving as an Orthopaedic Surgery PA• 34:35 Reflecting on My Decision to become a PA• 35:19 How I answer the question, "What is a PA?"• 36:31 Coming to the CAPA Annual PA Conference🩺 Link to the full post with Andrew: ➡ http://canadianpa.ca/orthotraumapaRead about Andrew's experience with finding employment through Ontario's PA Career Start Program: __________________________❐ 𝗠𝗖𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 ❏🇨🇦Official McMaster PA program website https://fhs.mcmaster.ca/physicianassistant/🇨🇦McMaster PA Student Resource Website http://mcmasterpa.weebly.com❐ 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗔 𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 ❏🔏Articles for PRE-PA STUDENTS: https://canadianpa.ca/prepa🔏Books for Getting Into PA School: https://canadianpa.ca/books/🔏Canadian PA Program Comparison Chart https://manitobapafellowship.weebly.com/comparing-pa-schools.html🎓Canadian Pre-PA Facebook Group | https://facebook.com/groups/canadaprepa/❐ 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔 / 𝗣𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪𝗦 ❏🩺Practicing Canadian PA Interviews: https://canadianpa.ca/paprofiles🩺More Canadian PA Student Interviews: https://canadianpa.ca/studentprofiles/________________________________▓ ▓ ▓ DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PA ADMISSIONS PDF ➡ http://canadianpa.ca/admissionspdf❐ 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗣𝗛𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧? ❏⭐️ What is a PA? EXPLAINED: http://canadianpa.ca/whatisapa⭐️ PA Infographics: http://canadianpa.ca/infographics❐ 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗔 ❏✅ Blog | http://www.canadianpa.ca✅ Facebook | http://facebook.com/CanadianPA✅ Instagram | http://instagram.com/canadian.pa✅ Pinterest | http://pinterest.com/canadianpa✅ Twitter | http://twitter.com/CanadianPAThe Canadian PA Youtube Channel is not affiliated with any official organization or education program. All views expressed on this video are that of the individuals', and not representative of any organization or education program.

Adam joins us to share a career path that is as diverse as the general surgery ward he manages. From his early days as a rural LPN and RN to becoming a pioneer PA in Manitoba, he explains why he traded the nursing care model for the medical model to "keep things fresh." Adam proves that previous can be a launchpad, not a hurdle. We dive into the "drinking from a firehose" intensity of PA school and what it actually looks like to carve out a niche in a surgical subspecialty where no PA has worked before.IN THIS EPISODE:BEFORE PA SCHOOL: 0:15 Where I'm from 0:40 Adam's Experience Before PA School: Licensed Practical Nursing2:00 How Adam came across the PA Profession EXPERIENCE IN PA SCHOOL: 3:28 Adam's Experience in 1st year PA school at Manitoba 4:50 What's involved in 2nd year PA school at Manitoba6:02 Core Rotations in 2nd year PA school 7:28 Locations of 2nd year PA Clinical Rotations 9:13 Finding work after graduating from Manitoba's PA Program (Class of 2013)WORKING IN GENERAL SURGERY AS A PA11:24 Working as a General Surgery PA in Manitoba 13:21 Getting Oriented as a new PA Hire in General Surgery 19:09 Day in the Life of a General Surgery PA22:03 Common Conditions seen in General Surgery 23:53 Adam's Role as a PA in the Operating Room - Surgical First Assist 26:41 Procedures done by a General Surgery PA SCOPE OF PRACTICE + BUILD ING COMPETENCY AS A PA 27:55 Learning Procedures as a General Surgery PA 29:13 Building Competency as a PA 30:58 What Patients can Expect from me as a PA32:35 How Adam interacts with nursing & allied health on the ward 34:10 The PA/MD Relationship: Interacting with a Supervising Physician35:19 Level of Autonomy as an Experienced Practicing PA37:02 Defining PA Scope of Practice 38:22 What Adam enjoys about being a PA 39:51 How Regulation affects PA Practice in Manitoba 41:21 The Impact of Having a PA in a General Surgery Service FINAL NOTES 43:18 Opportunities for Growth after becoming a PA45:23 Adam's Current Research InterestsKEY TAKEAWAYS: Move away from “I can work part-time" mindset of PA school. Adam learned quickly that the PA curriculum is condensed medicine at a relentless pace. You need to be ready to fully immerse yourself in the didactic year because the volume of information is exactly like drinking from a firehose.Leverage “scut work” as a relationship builder. Don't turn your nose up at ward management or patient rounding. Use those constant bedside interactions to build trust with the nursing staff and allied health teams; it's how you become the "resident who never leaves" and gain true autonomy.Advocate for a role that doesn't exist yet. If your dream specialty doesn't have a PA posting, create one. Adam highlights how many of his peers materialized jobs by tracking down physicians, demonstrating their competence during electives, and proving how they improve system efficiency.Master the "what if" of every procedure. Learning a skill like opening an infected wound or inserting a central line is more than just "see one, do one, teach one." You have a professional responsibility to study the complications of every step so you are prepared when things don't go according to plan.Think of your career as a long-term evolution. Moving into a PA role isn't the end of your growth. Whether it's switching specialties after a decade or pursuing an MBA to influence healthcare policy from the top down, the portability of this profession is its greatest strength.ABOUT ADAM:Adam is a Manitoba PA working in General Surgery at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. With a decade of nursing experience (LPN and RN) before transition to the medical model, he now specializes in surgical oncology and HPB (liver, pancreas, and bile duct) surgery. He is currently completing his MBA to focus on healthcare sustainability and leadership.Originally published: June 14, 2020

Inside the University of Manitoba PA Program: First-Year Intensity, Second-Year Rotations, and Thriving in Clinical TrainingCarmen, a second-year PA student at the University of Manitoba, describes first year as an intense whirlwind with an undergrad-like first semester (biochem, anatomy, physiology) followed by an overwhelming second semester focused on adult and emergency medicine and pharmacology, then a third semester that feels more manageable as study strategies solidify. She explains that learning medicine requires broad, concept-based critical thinking rather than memorization, alongside an 8-to-5 classroom schedule, limited lunch breaks, and increasing hands-on experiences like anatomy labs, patient assessment, procedure labs, and weekly early exposures shadowing clinicians. Carmen outlines second year as more clinical with about nine rotations (including pediatrics, community health, emergency, surgery, psychiatry, OB/GYN, family, internal medicine, plus electives like pediatric ICU and cardiology), discusses long ward hours and call shifts, emphasizes advocating to be hands-on, and shares approaches to procedures, burnout prevention, capstone research requirements, and PA advocacy work through student representative roles.IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 Meet Carmen00:14 First Year Overview01:11 Learning Medicine Mindset01:44 Classroom Schedule02:05 Hands On Labs02:41 Typical Day Routine03:31 Weekend Study Balance04:04 Capstone Explained05:05 Second Year Clinical Shift05:46 Rotations Breakdown06:49 Rotation Expectations07:47 Long Hours Reality08:34 Pediatric ICU Highlights09:12 First Year Prep Value09:50 Procedures And Prescribing10:27 Avoiding Burnout11:33 Decompress After Shifts12:19 Ideal PA Student Traits13:00 KAPPA Student Rep Role14:38 No Regrets Choosing PAOriginally published: April 20, 2020

Jordan Levinter, CCPA is a University of Toronto PA Graduate and currently works in as a PA in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Sick Kids Hospital. He shares his journey to becoming a PA, and his role work in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.➡️Access the transcript to this full interview: http://canadianpa.ca/pedser❐ IN THIS INTERVIEW: ❐ BECOMING A PA: • Deciding to become a PA 1:40 • Jordan’s Experience during PA School 3:08 • Elective Rotations in PA School 4:12 • Securing a Job after Graduation 5:29 WORKING IN PAEDIATRIC ER: • What is Paediatric Emergency medicine 6:09 • Jordan’s Practice Setting in Peds ER 8:39 • Common Conditions seen in Peds ER 10:58 • Rare Conditions seen in Peds ER 11:24 • What I enjoy about Peds ER 17:40 • Challenges of Working in Peds ER 18:44DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PA in PEDS ER: • A Typical Shift in Peds ER 19:51 • Procedures Performed in Peds ER 11:49 • Prescribing Medications 12:49ROLE OF A PA IN PEDS ER: • Orienting a new PA Hire to Peds ER 13:26 • What Patients can Expect When Being seen by a PA 14:21 • Impact of Having PAs in Peds ER 16:08 • Role of a PA vs. Resident/Fellow 17:14 • What a Supervising MD Can Expect from a PA 21:27 • Interacting with Nursing Staff 22:28 • Explaining “What is a PA?” 23:12ADVICE: • Tips for PA Students interested in Peds ER 24:20 • Advice for Deciding a Health Career 34:58 • Describing the “Ideal” PA candidate for Peds ER 33:38TEACHING, RESEARCH + CONTINUING EDUCATION: • Precepting PA Students 25:01 • Involvement in Teaching 26:28 • Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) 27:30 • Keeping up to date in Peds ER 30:17 • Involvement in PA Research 31:11FINAL NOTES: • What I love about being a PA 34:36

Stephanie Ruttinger is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant and graduate from McMaster's Physician Assistant Program. She now practices in Maternal Fetal Medicine - a subspecialty of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.For PA students interested in getting in touch with Stephanie about OB/GYN elective or questions, please contact the McMaster PA program for her contact info.❏ What is the specialty of OB/GYN? ❏Obstetrics/gynaecology is a specialty that encompasses medical, surgical, and obstetrical and gynaecologic knowledge and skills for the prevention, diagnosis and management of a broad range of conditions affecting women's general and reproductive health.OB/GYN is a combination of two specialties: ❶ obstetrics, which provides care during pregnancy, labour and puerperium (the time directly after childbirth); and❷ gynaecology, which focuses on the health of the female reproductive system, including the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases.Obstetrics/gynaecology offers the ability to sub-specialize in the areas of gynaecological oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility or maternal fetal medicine. Other areas of sub-specialization include contraception, adolescent gynaecology and endoscopy.- Source: Canadian Medical AssociationMaternal-Fetal Medicine is a subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of those conditions responsible for morbidity and mortality of the mother, fetus, and neonate.________________________________❐ JOIN US ON OUR ON OUR FREE FB GROUP ❏→ Canadian Pre-PA Student Network | https://facebook.com/groups/canadaprepa/❐ FOLLOW CANADIAN PA ❏→ Blog | http://www.canadianpa.ca→ Instagram | http://instagram.com/canadian.pa→ Twitter | http://twitter.com/CanadianPA→ Facebook | https://facebook.com/CanadianPA/→ Pinterest | http://pinterest.com/canadianpaOriginally published: December 30, 2019

In this episode, we interview Maggie, a Physician Assistant practicing in Hamilton, Ontario, specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry). We discuss her transition from a Kinesiology background into the McMaster PA program, her experience with Problem-Based Learning, and how she successfully negotiated her first role in a highly specialized field.Part 1: Why Maggie Chose PA0:14 Maggie's Background before PA School 0:41 Pursuing a Career in Health Care Part 2: Maggie’s PA School Experience1:40 Maggie's Experience in McMaster's PA Program 2:45 Maggie's 2nd year PA Clinical Rotations 3:56 Finding Her First PA Job Part 3: Explaining “Physiatry” as a Specialty4:51 What is Physiatry? 5:37 How Physiatry is Different than other specialties 6:34 Physiatry Treatment Options 7:25 Medications in Physiatry 8:29 Practice Setting Physiatry 9:27 What is Spasticity? 10:29 Common Conditions Seen in Physiatry 11:45 Rare conditions in Physiatry Part 4: How PAs work in Physiatry12:34 Maggie's Role as a PA in Physiatry 14:28 How Maggie was Oriented as a new PA hire 15:20 Mentoring and Guidance from the Supervising MD 16:36 Attending Physiatry Conferences as a PA Part 5: How MDs can work with PAs17:36 What it's like to work with a PA 19:18 Benefits of Adding a PA to a Physiatry Practice 20:40 Documentation, Forms + Other Admin Work 21:38 Working with PA Medical Directives in Ontario 22:29 Different Practice Settings for PAs in Physiatry Part 6: Working in Physiatry23:43 What Maggie Enjoys about Physiatry 25:30 Challenges with Working in Physiatry 27:20 Training in Physiatry - the PA vs. MD route 28:28 PA Involvement in Research and Quality Improvement Projects 28:56 How Maggie sees her PA Practice changing Part 7: Final Notes29:44 Resources Used for on-the-job learning 30:28 Reflecting on her decision to become a PA 31:28 Tips for Students Struggling with PA vs. MD path 32:43 Tips for PA Students Interested in PhysiatryABOUT OUR GUESTMaggie Hitchon is a practicing Physician Assistant in Hamilton, Ontario, working in the field of Physiatry. A graduate of the McMaster University PA program, she manages a diverse patient load including athletes, individuals with spinal cord injuries, and patients requiring spasticity management. Prior to her PA training, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at McMaster University

Maitry and I interviewed Brooke Grant, a 2nd year PA Student who just completed her clinical rotation elective at Princess Margaret Hospital - Cancer Centre. She shares her experience - as well as a few tips on how to excel during your clinical year!In 2nd year PA school, PA students complete clinical rotations at 4-6 (or more!) weeks at a time in different areas of medicine including Family Medicine, Emergency medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, and more! Brooke started her clerkship year by completing a rotation in a very specialized area - Radiation Oncology. ❐ WATCH PART 2 ❏Be sure to watch Part 2 of this video: Views from a Preceptor: Maitry, Radiation Oncology PA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzu_B8j-Je0❐ JUMP TO A SECTION: ❏- How I heard about the PA Profession: 0:48- What attracted me to the PA profession: 1:13- My First Clerkship Rotation - Radiaion Oncology 2:01- Starting with an elective instead of a core rotation: 3:44- Learning OBjectives in Radiation Oncology 4:41- Imaging Exposure in Radiation Oncology 5:37- Meeting My Personal Learning Objectives 6:06- Presenting at Tumor Boards 7:15- What a Clinical Clerk can Expect from a Preceptor 7:47- Having a PA as a Clinical Preceptor: 8:37- How my Confidence changed 9:49- My Personal Learning Project (PLP) 11:14- Process for Developing Standardized Templates for different cancer site groups 13:01- What I enjoyed about my Radiation Oncology Rotation 14:25- Advice to 2nd year PA Students 15:29- Tips on How to be Successful in a Challenging Clinical Rotation 16:59- Adjusting to a Different Schedule 18:31- How My Understanding of a PA changed after starting 2nd year PA School 20:18- My PA Elevator Pitch 20:48- How I interact with Patients 21:26- Building Rapport with Staff 22:46❐ VIDEOS MENTIONED ❏- Interview with Maitry, Radiation Oncology PA at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izaIhB4YxGo❐ SEE MORE PA STUDENT INTERVIEWS ❏Link to the blog post: http://canadianpa.ca/brooke______________❐ JOIN US ON OUR ON OUR FREE FB GROUP ❏→ Canadian Pre-PA Student Network | https://facebook.com/groups/canadaprepa/❐ FOLLOW CANADIAN PA ❏→ Blog | http://www.canadianpa.ca→ Instagram | http://instagram.com/canadian.pa→ Twitter | http://twitter.com/CanadianPA→ Facebook | https://facebook.com/CanadianPA/→ Pinterest | http://pinterest.com/canadianpa

From Massage Therapist to McMaster PA Student: Sarah Floyd on Applications, MMIs, and Longitudinal PlacementsSarah Floyd, a second year Physician Assistant student at McMaster University and former registered massage therapist, shares the path that led her to PA school. She reflects on discovering the PA role through firefighter health research, exploring different healthcare careers, and navigating a challenging first application cycle after being waitlisted and declined by several Canadian PA programs. After strengthening her interview preparation and reapplying during a difficult personal year, she was accepted on her second attempt.In this episode, Sarah also talks about what it takes to succeed once you get into PA school. She explains how PA learning differs from undergrad, the study systems that helped her keep up with McMaster’s problem based curriculum, and what clinical training actually looks like, from longitudinal placements to clerkship and electives. She also shares honest reflections on professionalism, patient care, and balancing life outside school while planning a wedding during training.00:00 Why PA Matters00:50 Early Career Start02:05 Undergrad And Growth04:11 Discovering The PA Role05:12 Choosing Medicine Path06:07 Guidance For Undecided07:29 Applying To PA Schools08:36 Earning A Top GPA11:29 First Cycle Setbacks12:49 Handling Rejection And Loss14:28 Second Cycle Preparation17:49 Nontraditional Strengths19:35 Returning To School21:00 McMaster Learning Style24:36 Staying Organized25:15 Who Thrives At Mac26:43 Podcasts for Learning27:21 Longitudinal Placements Explained28:16 Finding Preceptors and Showing Gratitude29:32 Getting the Most from LPs30:33 Professionalism and Site Rules32:20 Clerkship Rotations Overview33:21 Rural and International Electives34:18 Procedures to Look Forward To35:21 Defining the PA Role37:07 Sharing PA Life Online38:06 Social Media Boundaries and Privacy41:29 Why PAs Matter in Healthcare43:24 Public Health Policy Dreams44:38 Engagement and Wedding Timeline45:26 Planning a Wedding in PA School48:00 Budgeting and Bride Tips50:14 Final Thanks and Wrap UpOriginally published September 6, 2019