04/18/2024

That's a Wrap on the 2024 OAPA Pharmacology Conference!

The Ohio Association of Physician Assistants celebrated yet another year of top-notch pharmacology instruction and PA networking at the 2024 OAPA Pharmacology Conference, held April 12-13 in Cuyahoga Falls.

More than 125 PAs, plus presenters and exhibitors, braved the April showers and high winds to gather at the Sheraton Suites overlooking the falls to explore the latest in pharmacology as it relates to dermatology, opioids, diabetes, pediatric infections, ear pathology, compounding, and more.

The premium educational program included:

• The Opioid Epidemic in Ohio, presented by James (Jim) R. Smith, Ohio State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory
• Humanizing the Management of Opioid Withdrawal, presented by Mike Czajka, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic
• Compounding Agents, presented by Matt Buderer, DPharm, Buderer Drug Co.
• Improving the Understanding, Diagnosis, and Management of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP), presented by Terri Nagy, PA-C, Vanguard Skin Specialists
• Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) - Recognition & Management Strategies, presented by Fabrizia Fiebelkorn, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic
• Ear Today, Gone Tomorrow: A Guide to Ear Pathology and its Pharmacological Treatment, presented by Rachel Fredericksen, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic
• Pediatric Infections: Emergent Treatments, presented by Jeff Sommers, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Mercy Hospital
• Opioid Update: The Crisis in Ohio: What Prescribers Need to Know, presented by Veronica Magda, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic
• Treatment Regimens for Atopic Dermatitis, presented by Maggie McKernan, PA-C, Apex Skin and Andrew Baker, PA-C, West Ohio Dermatology
• Understanding the Use of GLP-1 and Related Nutritional Needs, presented by Erin Rossi, MFN, RD, Cleveland Clinic Metabolic Institute
• Managing Diabetes in the Hospital Setting: Inpatient Insulin Management, presented by Claudia Lewis, PA-C, University Hospitals
• Pharmacotherapy Agents for Medical Management of Obesity and Associated Ohio Prescribing Laws, presented by Ebne Rafi, DPharm, University Hospitals Diabetes & Metabolic Care Center

Conference participants reconnected with old friends and made new ones during several networking breaks and meals, while also engaging in a "Meet the Exhibitors" experience to expand their knowledge of products and services available to support PA practice.

Exhibiting organizations included:

• AbbVie
• AstraZeneca
• Buderer Drug
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals
• La Roche Posay
• Neurelis
• Ohio State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory
• Pfizer
• Project DAWN, Ohio Department of Health
• Supernus Pharmaceuticals

Attendees reported appreciating speaker expertise, content quality, and overall event excellence! There were many eager expressions from conference goers who plan to attend future OAPA events and to themselves become presenters. Their desire to further engage and share knowledge is helping to strengthen OAPA membership value and draw in nonmembers, as OAPA expands further into the Ohio PA community.

OAPA extends its gratitude to Pharmacology Conference Chair Josanne Pagel and committee members Teresa D'Alessandro, Melissa Irwin, Nancy Ivansek, Debra Kangisser, and Madeline Meyers for their efforts to build such a solid program that advances PA knowledge and practice.

Did you miss this year's Pharmacology Conference? We missed you! The good news is that educational content from the event will be available for on-demand CME purchase in the coming months.

Or, if you are craving more than just top-notch education, mark your calendar now for OAPA's next in-person conference, taking place September 27-28, 2024, at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris. The 2024 OAPA Annual Conference will welcome PA practitioners, educators, and students from around the state to celebrate the profession, build community, and share expertise. We hope to see you there!