Ohio Association of Physician Assistants - OAPA

10/09/2026

Modern Care. Modern Practice.
PA Week Spotlight | Day 5

Meet Christopher Gantt, MSBS, PA-C, celebrating nine years as a PA! 👏

As the Wellness Center Provider at Kohl’s EFC6 facility, Christopher provides primary care and occupational health services to employees and their families. His focus is making quality care accessible while supporting health and well-being.

For Christopher, the greatest reward is seeing how treatment improves a patient’s daily life. Hearing patients share that they feel better is especially meaningful in mental health care, where effective treatment can make a profound difference in overall well-being and quality of life. 💙

His work reflects Modern Care. Modern Practice.—bringing healthcare into the workplace and helping employees and families connect with the care they need.

This PA Week, Christopher plans to enjoy some time relaxing with his wife and boys!

Join us in celebrating Christopher and the Ohio PAs expanding access to care in the places our communities live and work!

10/09/2026

Psychiatric PA, Michell McDiffett, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, discusses how restrictive PA laws can limit PA employability and patient care in Ohio.



Link:

Psychiatric PA Michell McDiffett, DMSC, PA-C, DFAAPA discusses how ...

10/08/2026

**Modern Care. Modern Practice.**
PA Week Spotlight | Day 3

Meet Kelly Thobe, MPAS, PA-C, celebrating 23 years as a PA! 👏

A friend’s introduction to the PA profession changed Kelly’s plans for medical school—and led to a rewarding career that includes 23 years with the same surgical group, building patient relationships and learning alongside dedicated surgeon mentors.

Eight years ago, Kelly transitioned into full-time teaching with the University of Dayton PA Program. Kelly continues to practice surgery part-time while also serving as adjunct faculty with Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, teaching medical students and residents.

The most meaningful part of being a PA? Connection. Time with patients. Collaboration with colleagues. Opportunities to help future healthcare professionals learn and grow.

That commitment, paired with the versatility to adapt throughout a career, reflects Modern Care. Modern Practice. Through patient care and education, PAs help meet today’s healthcare needs while preparing the next generation to expand access to care.

At the University of Dayton, PA Week means gifts, highlights, and games celebrating students, faculty, and staff—and the future they’re building together! 💙

Join us in celebrating Kelly’s 23 years of caring, teaching, and inspiring!

10/08/2026

Clermont County PA Dawn Sodders discusses the PA role in efficiency and how modernizing PA laws will improve healthcare in Ohio.



Link:

Clermont County PA Dawn Sodders discusses the PA role in efficiency...

10/07/2026

**Modern Care. Modern Practice.**
PA Week Spotlight | Day 2

Meet Paulette Grant, PA-C, celebrating 40 years as a PA! 👏
A 1986 graduate of Gannon University, Paulette began her career in hospital medicine at Euclid General Hospital. She recalls practicing under titles such as “staff assistant” and “clinical associate” because Ohio’s restrictions at the time prevented hospitals from employing PAs as PAs. Alongside pioneers whose advocacy helped shape PA practice in Ohio, she helped lay the groundwork for the hospital medicine practiced today.

For the past three years, Paulette has served in hospital medicine at Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital, where she currently works nights. She loves the fast pace and the opportunity to use her clinical assessment skills to make a difference.
Her greatest reward is meeting patients where they are, often at their most vulnerable—explaining their care plan, offering insight, and helping ease their burden, even when outcomes may be unfavorable.

Paulette’s story reminds us why Modern Care. Modern Practice. matters: advancing PA practice supports the clinicians who help patients access and understand the care they need.

This PA Week, she’ll celebrate with her Avon colleagues—and hopefully enjoy dinner out with her husband, Pete! 💙

Join us in celebrating Paulette’s four decades of dedication to patients and the PA profession!

10/07/2026

Discover how Ohio PAs use their education, training, and expertise to provide quality, accessible, and cost-effective patient care across the state.



Link:

Discover how Ohio PAs use their education, training, and expertise ...

10/07/2026

🎉 Celebrate PA Week with 30% off OAPA membership!

Invest in yourself and the future of Ohio PAs. OAPA membership connects you with:
✅ Advocacy that strengthens PA practice in Ohio
✅ Discounted CME and conference registration
✅ Networking and career resources
✅ Leadership opportunities
✅ Exclusive member savings

Use code PAWEEKSAVE30 when you join or renew for 30% off ANY membership type, including 1- or 3-year memberships. Yes, ANY!

⏰ Offer expires October 12, 2026.

Celebrate your profession. Strengthen your community. Join us!
👉 www.ohiopa.com

10/06/2026

**Modern Care. Modern Practice.**
This PA Week, meet Alex Cook, PA! 👏

For 27 years, Alex has paired compassionate patient care with a commitment to helping fellow clinicians grow. A 1999 graduate of Kettering College’s PA certificate program, he later earned his master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

Today, Alex serves as Director of Advanced Practice with US Acute Care Solutions, coaching, guiding, and mentoring Lead APPs across 27 sites in Ohio and Virginia.

His greatest reward? Caring for emergency department patients on what may be the worst day of their lives—helping them navigate a complex healthcare system and take the next step toward the care they need.

Alex’s work reflects what Modern Care. Modern Practice. means: PAs caring for patients, leading teams, and helping connect people with appropriate care when it matters most.

And his PA Week celebration plans? Delivering cookies to his local site! 🍪

Join us in celebrating Alex and the difference Ohio PAs make every day!

10/06/2026

It’s official—Ohio is celebrating PA Week! 🎉

Governor DeWine’s Office has issued a proclamation recognizing October 6–12, 2026, as Physician Assistants’ Week in Ohio!

From routine visits to life’s most challenging moments, PAs help patients get the care they need. This week, we celebrate the dedication, expertise, and compassion Ohio PAs bring to our communities every day.

Modern Care. Modern Practice. Together, we’re working toward greater access to high-quality care across Ohio.

Give a shout-out to a PA who has made a difference in your life! 💙

10/06/2026

🎉 Modern Care. Modern Practice. Happy PA Week!

Join OAPA October 6–12 as we celebrate the 7,200+ PAs making a difference across Ohio—and the students, educators, and future PAs helping shape our profession.

Watch for PA spotlights from all seven OAPA regions, membership savings, and more throughout the week!

📸 How are you celebrating? Share photos of your colleagues, classmates, and teams, and tag OAPA so we can celebrate with you.

Read OAPA President Madeline Meyers’ PA Week message and explore what’s planned:
https://ohiopa.com/aws/OAPA/pt/sd/news_article/636180/_self/layout_details/false