Beyond the Pill: Exploring Options for Treatment Resistant Depression

Presented by Mike Czajka, MPAS, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between clinical and payer definitions of treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and explore how these differences impact clinical decision-making and treatment authorization
• Compare the efficacy, safety, and patient selection criteria for FDA-cleared interventional treatments, including repetitive TMS (rTMS), iTBS, SAINT protocols, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and intranasal esketamine
• Review the latest evidence and regulatory status of novel interventions for TRD
• Outline best practices and common pitfalls in pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of TRD, including current evidence-based strategies and promising emerging options

Speaker Biography:

For the past eight years, Michael Czajka, MPAS, PA-C has been a part of Cleveland Clinic's Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry team, with a focus on hospital-based consultation and education. Mike also mentors students from numerous programs, sharing insights and fostering growth. He is adjunct faculty at Chatham University in Pittsburgh and lectures on psychiatry related topics at Baldwin Wallace University. Mike's professional interests delve into disordered eating and weight-inclusive care, areas where he is committed to advancing treatment approaches. He is dedicated to merging practical experience with education, contributing to a compassionate and effective approach to psychiatric care.

Crucial Cord Clues: Diagnosing Cervical Myelopathy Before the Damage Is Done

Presented by Emily N. Keller, DMS, PA-C, OhioHealth and Ashland University

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the pathophysiology and most common causes of cervical myelopathy
• Recognize key historical features and physical exam findings that suggest cervical myelopathy in the primary care setting
• Differentiate cervical myelopathy from other neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions using a targeted diagnostic approach
• Outline appropriate referral strategies and understand the general management options for cervical myelopathy, including surgical and nonsurgical interventions

Speaker Biography:

Acute Orthopaedic Hand Diagnoses & Treatments

Presented by Rachel Novak, MMSc, PA-C & Alyson Pucci, PA-C, University Hospitals

Learning Objectives:

• Identify various hand etiologies including paronychia, felon, and cellulitis
• Discuss physical exam and diagnostics relating to hand fractures
• Review bedside procedures such as incision & drainage, laceration repair, and upper extremity splinting

Speaker Biographies:

Rachel Novak, MMSC, PA-C, has been a PA at University Hospitals for the past three years. She works as an Orthopedic Trauma and Hand PA who is involved in inpatient and OR with routine responsibility for evaluating and managing hand consults that are placed by the ED, ICU, and hospital floors. Rachel treats a wide array of hand conditions, rounds on trauma patients, and provides patient education on their post-operative course.  She educates intern residents, trains new PA employees, and precepts APP students while providing hands on experiences as well as education to be prepared for the working world as a PA.

 

 

 

Alyson Pucci, PA-C, has been an Orthopedic Physician Assistant at University Hospitals for the past 6 years. She works side by side with the Hand and sports team evaluating and treating patients in clinic and first assisting in the operating room. Alyson also helps run the Orthopedic injury walk in clinic seeing walk in patients since opening the clinic almost 6 years ago. She is a mentor and preceptor to current PA students and aspiring PA/medical students teaching them a wide variety of orthopedic conditions in sports and upper extremity.

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Translating Clinical Experience into Research, Reviews, and Beyond

Presented by Kari S. Bernard, PhD, PA-C, College of Idaho

Learning Objectives:

• Develop an expanded view of PA scholarship that goes beyond traditional research to include integration, application, and teaching
• Identify accessible forms of scholarship that align with areas of PA clinical expertise or interest
• Outline the fundamental steps involved in designing an observational or experimental research study, including formulating a question, selecting a method, and considering IRB needs
• Explore strategies PAs may use to find and leverage research mentorship and collaborative opportunities to support scholarly productivity and professional growth

Speaker Biographies:

Dr. Kari Bernard has practiced medicine as a PA since 2004 in the areas of cardiology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. She began teaching PA students in 2014 and in 2020, completed her doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a focus on healthcare worker well-being. Between 2022 and 2024, Dr. Bernard developed, launched, and supported a staff wellness program for 2000 clinical and nonclinical employees at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, AK. She has published several studies on healthcare student and provider well-being and regularly presents on well-being topics at state, regional, and national medical education events. Dr. Bernard is currently the founding director for the College of Idaho’s Doctor of Medical Science program. 

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Executive Leadership PAs: How It Impacts Clinical Practice

Presented by Rev. Josanne Kissel Pagel M.Div., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, C-EBS, Karuna®RMT

Learning Objectives:

• Review what executive leadership looked like in the last 20 years and discuss how PA clinical practice was at that time
• Discuss present day executive leadership for PAs and challenges
• Identify any changes to PA clinical practice, outcomes, and pros and cons
• Identify opportunities for PA executive leaders for the future, how to create more opportunities, and what impact/enhancements it would have on PA clinical practice

Speaker Biography:

Rev. Josanne Kissel Pagel M.Div., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, C-EBS, Karuna®RMT, retired as Executive Director of PA Services at Cleveland Clinic, where she was responsible for the oversight, compliance, utilization, and productivity of all PAs, ensuring they practiced within a team-based model to promote and enhance patient access and care. A former AAPA President and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, she has held numerous national and state-level leadership roles.

 

With more than 45 years in clinical practice and 35 in administration, she’s known for advocacy, leadership education, and legislative reform. Pagel began as a Peace Corps volunteer and continues to teach, mentor future PAs, and advocate for the PA profession.

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Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Recognizing Potential Amyloidosis in Your Patients

Presented by Dr. Dan Lenihan, MD, FACC, FESC, FIC-OS, International Cardio-Oncology Society and Saint Francis Healthcare

This presentation is supported by an educational grant from The France Foundation, in collaboration with the International CardioOncology Society and Amyloidosis Foundation.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the symptomatology characteristics of amyloidosis
• Refer patients with suspected amyloidosis for diagnosis and treatment
• Prepare patients for referral for suspected amyloidosis

Speaker Biography:

Daniel Lenihan, MD, FACC, FESC, FIC-OS, has over 25 years of experience in cardio-oncology and heart failure. His work focuses on early detection and prevention of heart failure in cancer patients through hemodynamic assessment, biomarkers, and clinical trials. He has held positions at MD Anderson, Vanderbilt, and Washington University. As Founder and Immediate Past President of the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS), he leads global collaboration to reduce cardiac complications from cancer therapy. He currently leads studies in cardio-oncology, heart failure, and amyloidosis, including the PROTECT study on proteasome inhibitor safety, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2019.