PA Alumni Connection, 2023

PA

BUTLER UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI CONNECTION PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAGAZINE

2023

2O23 PROGRAM DIRECTOR’S WELCOME Dear Butler PA Family, As the crisp autumn leaves blanket campus, I extend a warm welcome to each of you in this edition of our Alumni Magazine.

As we gather in the spirit of gratitude and reflection, it’s a wonderful time to reconnect with the memories that bind us and celebrate new achievements.

In this edition, we bring you a tapestry of stories that capture the diverse paths our graduates have taken. Each narrative serves as a testament to the strength of our community and the enduring impact of the education we received here. As the Butler PA Program continues to evolve and thrive, we are excited to share updates on the latest initiatives and the outstanding accomplishments of current students and faculty.

In the spirit of giving thanks, we express our gratitude to you, our alumni, who contribute to the vitality of our community. Your preceptor engagement, admissions support, and mentorship of pre-PAs and young PA professionals are the cornerstones of our success. You play a vital role in advancing Butler’s reputation through your excellent care of patients, philanthropy, and advocacy.

Thank you for being an integral part of our ever-growing and dynamic alumni network. May this season of gratitude bring you joy, connection, and a renewed sense of pride in being a part of the Butler PA family. Go Dawgs!

Wishing you warmth and prosperity into 2024, Betsy Schmidt ’99 MPAS Program Director P.S. If you are coming to a Butler Basketball game this season and haven’t bought tickets, join me in Section 306.

I would love to see you and start a new tradition of PA alumni gatherings.

PA

VOLUME VI

BUTLER UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI CONNECTION

2023

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAGAZINE

page 4 CONGRATULATIONS CLASS of 2023

page 7 WELCOME CLASS of 2025

page 8 FACULTY/STAFF UPDATES

page 10 FACULTY, ALUMNI, and STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

page 14 CLASS of 2003 HIGHLIGHTS

CONGRATULATIONS

GRADUATES

Congratulations to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2023!

We would love to hear from you at paprogram@butler.edu.

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We would also like to congratulate the graduates of the DMS Bridge and the DMS Program!

DMS BRIDGE PROGRAM GRADUATES:

Elizabeth Adeniyi-Kassim Andrea Alarcon (West) Umamah Asghar Madeline Atkinson Michael Behna Jake Bendicion Amanda Berg Bailey Berish Serena Bishop Monet Bland Aubrey Brown Allison Brown Lenell Campbell Charles Carim (Abdel-Karim) Katherine Castillo Noel Christian Kimberly Cowart Claire Cromer Ansley Davis Erin Davis Mariana de Maille

Natalia Desrosiers Bintou Doumbia Nicholas (Nick) Grunloh Kirsten Guy Caitlyn Harweger James (JP) Hennessy Nathanael Holbrook Samantha Horn Melanie Hornung Arielle Iafrate Ryan Irving Muhammad Jan Elizabeth Johnson Gifty Jose Manjot Kaur Katherine (Katie)Keller Benjamin Kessler Alyssa Klopfer Kristen Kokjohn Elizabeth LaFlame Emily Jane Larsen

Andrew Lasley Isabella Liu Edward (Matt) Maner Kristina McCaffrey Harvey Mills Jordan Nelson Bridgette Nunes Sebastian Opar Matthew Orenstein Cassandra Owens Annabel Pacheco Nicolia Papadeas Sydney Pate Margaret Patterson Mary Pegan Dakota Pierce Andi Piper Sierra Purcell Mackenzie Root Olivia Rowell Alexandra Schmerge

DMS PROGRAM GRADUATES:

Summer 2022

Spring 2023

April Warstler

Nathan Barlow Sheyanne Bruenig Lena Grunloh Amanda Ingalls Garth Mills Erica Racedo Brooke Stein Eric Wessel Jennie Chen Cindy Fleitas Elizabeth “Beth” Nicholson

Fall 2022 Kevin Bogenschutz Lacy Crafton Sy Dupre Gabriel Godart Kristin Goodkin Coleman Ho Emily Keller Betsy Schmidt Carson Moore Britanny Nichols

Abby Ryan Taylor Sares Scott Smith

Summer 2023 Krista Wise-Wroblewski Christy Kerr Donald Tobias “Toby” Brower Mariafrancesca Z. Wilson

Fall 2023 Tiffany Hayter Christine McCormick

Madison Schmidt Rachael Schneider Annie Schulz Jennifer Semaan Emily Sevigne Nisha Shah David Shepherd Zachary Simons Birti Singh Jessica Sparks Colin Stickel Nykole (Tupaz) Turner Victoria Vamos Elle (Gabrielle) Weaver Karina White Timothy (Dylan) Whitworth Jillian Wickham Matthew Winfree Megan Yates Kamie Young

After only a short time working at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, Bintou Doumbia, PAC, MPAS Class of 2022, earned the recognition of “PA Rookie of the Year.”

Bintou was nominated for her ability to apply new skills to excellent patient care and demonstrate the core values of Mount Sinai Medical Center and the PA profession—agility, leadership, professionalism, collaboration, and self-learning. Her peers commented, “Bintou is not only sharp, but she also continuously advocates for her patients. Furthermore, she actively searches for ways to get involved in the department, and that is commendable drive to see in a Rookie PA.” Congratulations Bintou!

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Congratulations to our Pi Alpha Class of 2023 Inductees!

CELIA MELILLO Service and Scholarship

CAITLIN McTAGUE Service

HANNAH SONNER Service

CLASS of 2023

Dawgs of Distinction

Spencer Klimek MPAS2, Lori Fauquher PA-C, Miranda Kopcha MPAS2, Nelson Paulino, Director Casa Misionera

In March 2023, students from Butler’s MPAS, Doctor

of Pharmacy, and Bachelor of Science in Health Science programs traveled to the Dominican Republic to support the efforts of Casa Misionera, which offers medical care to three nearby communities in the country.

Accompanied by faculty advisors Lori Fauquher PA-C, and Trish Devine PharmD, Butler MPAS graduate, Nora Navin PA-C, and supported by the Casa Misionera staff and translators, students spent eight days seeing 721 patients and filling 1,757 prescriptions.

If you would like to be part of the next annual mission trip to Casa Misionera in March 2024, they would love you to join them.

Please contact Dr. Devine at tdevine@butler.edu. If you can’t travel, they are happy to accept donations of support.

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MPAS2 students are individually recognized at various points during the clinical year for various reasons, though all in the spirit of distinctive performance, attitude, and or knowledge.

Rachel Goedde Jacey Grieselding Jessica Kahn Jake Mogg Julia Sayles Katie Shelford Mitchell Walters Nina Yarijanian

WELCOME CLASS OF

2O25

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FACULTY/STAFF MPAS PROGRAM WELCOMES L AUREN E. GRANGER MD TO THE ROLE OF MEDICAL DIRECTOR

LAUREN GRANGER, MD MPAS Medical Director

Dr. Granger is a graduate of Indiana University majoring in Philosophy and earning a certificate in leadership, ethics, and social action. She completed her medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine, a pediatric residency at the Riley Hospital for Children, and joined the Community Pediatric Hospitalist program upon finishing. Dr. Granger is a board-certified pediatrician currently practicing at Community Hospital Anderson. She is a mother of two, loves animals, enjoys hiking and camping, and is an avid reader.

We value her immediate contribution to the program and steadfast dedication to student education, professional development, and mental health.

NEW STAFF

JULIA BANKS

MPAS Staff Member Julia Banks joined Butler during fall 2022 as an Administrative Specialist for the Physician Assistant Program. Julia assists the Experiential team with site onboarding needs, exams, data management, and relating almost every situation back to a random song from the ’80s. Julia also supports the Butler PA Admissions Committee. Prior to Butler, Julia worked for the University of Indianapolis in both the School of Education and the Department of Kinesiology, Health & Sport Sciences. Julia spends most of her free time exploring wooded trails with her son, or chasing sunsets on country roads with her daughter.

KATIE COBY

DMS Staff Member Katie Coby joined Butler’s Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) team fall 2022 as the Admission and Marketing Coordinator. Katie has worked in higher education since 2014, starting off as a Ragin’ Cajun (UL Lafayette). She most recently worked at IUPUI as a Pre-Professional Advisor, where she assisted students on their personal statements, CAS applications, and existential crises (she is sure you can relate).

In addition to her position with the DMS program, she serves on the COPHS DEI Committee. Off-campus, you can find her tending her chicks (human and feathered), dodging bikes on the Monon Trail, or picking off ticks after a hike.

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DMS PROGRAM ADJUNCT FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: FOLUSHO OGUNFIDITIMI Folusho Ogunfiditimi’s journey as a Physician Assistant (PA) began when he joined the army as a medic and worked with a physician assistant who inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare. After graduating from Howard University’s PA program, Ogunfiditimi spent 11 years in the Army Reserves before entering the world of healthcare administration where he now has over 23 years of administrative and clinical experience.

His drive for leadership and advocacy led to his tenure as President of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) starting June 30 and his established role as Chair of the Board of Directors. His work involves advocating for PAs across the country and addressing issues surrounding quality, growth, and scope of practice by liaising with legislators, payers, insurance markets, and policymakers.

As an educator, Ogunfiditimi believes in teaching his students to be aware of the financial aspects of healthcare and to advocate for policies that can make healthcare more affordable and accessible to everyone.

In his eyes, quality healthcare should not be a privilege but a fundamental human right, and he will continue to work towards a world where everyone has access to it.

SUPPORT THE PA PROGRAM TODAY

Make a lasting contribution to Butler University Physician Assistant (PA) students with a financial gift to the program.

Your gift will support students through ongoing improvements to our academic programs and resources.

TO DONATE ONLINE

Go to butler.edu/gifts and click on “Give to Butler.” Fill in the form using “Select one or more designation(s),” and then select “Support a different area.” Importantly, in the Notes section, indicate that your gift is for “PA Program Gift Fund.”

TO DONATE BY CHECK

Make your check payable to Butler University, indicating on the memo line that the gift is for “PA Program Gift Fund.”

Mail to: Butler University • University Advancement • Jordan Hall • 4600 Sunset Avenue • Indianapolis, IN 46208

BECAUSE OF YOU, WE ARE BU.

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Faculty, Alumni, and Student Publications: Roman C, Neary S, Hoover E, Slavin S. The case for pass/fail grading in physician assistant programs.

J Physician Assist Educ. 2022;33(4):277-278. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000470 Quincy B, Snyder J, Brown D. An examination of predictors of attrition in physician assistant Programs.

J Physician Assist Educ. 2022;33(4):302-308. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000465 Kilstrom J, Neary S, Roman C, Garrubba C, LeLacheur S, Van Rhee J. Factors influencing physician assistant student attrition rates. J Physician Assist Educ. 2022;33(4):341-345. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000468 Chastain A, Bolden AR, Hee PL. (P)LUCK: lessons we learned for improving healthcare and the world.

J Physician Assist Educ. 2022;33(4):359. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000473 Roman C. Physician assistants as social innovators in healthcare. J Physician Assist Educ. 2022;33(4):358. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000474 Sares T, Andreeff R. Effect of diabetes mellitus on patient outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: minimizing postoperative complications. JBJS J Orthop Physician Assist. 2023;11(1):e22.00024. doi:10.2106/JBJS.JOPA.22.00024 Fauquher L, Barnes M, Schmelz AN. Management of osteoporosis after fragility fracture. JBJS J Orthop Physician Assist. 2022;10(3):e22.00007. doi:10.2106/JBJS.JOPA.22.00007 Sasek CA. Implications of entrustable professional activities for motivation and learning. J Physician Assist Educ. 2023;34(1):15-19. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000477 Snyder J, Brown D, Quincy B. Course prerequisites: here, there, and everywhere. Time to standardize?

J Physician Assist Educ. 2022;33(3):164-170. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000436 Quincy, B. Lutz, M. Infectious Diseases. In: Carlson R, Kempton D, McLeod I, and McMullen B (eds).

Appleton and Lange’s Review for the Physician Assistant. 8th ed. McGraw-Hill;2022.

Roman C. A gift you give yourself: a preemptive intervention for student mental health. J Physician Assist Educ. 2023;34(1):69-71. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000482 Neary S, Ruggeri M, Roman C, Hoover E, Butaney B, Weller I. Foundational skill-building in a novel well-being curriculum. J Physician Assist Educ. Published online June 27, 2023. doi:10.1097/ JPA.0000000000000510 Heer BR, Gillette C, Roman C, McDaniel MJ. Didactic physician assistant students’ perceptions of evidencebased medicine resources: a preliminary investigation. Med Ref Serv Q. 2022;41(4):347-362. doi:10.1080/027 63869.2022.2131138 https://paeaonline.org/resources/public-resources/paea-news/2022-2023-aapa-paea-research-fellowsfocus-on-pa-well-being-and-leadership-development Snyder J, Hills K, Alexander L, et al. Meeting the accreditation standard for diversity. J Physician Assist Educ. 2023;34(1):46-53. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000488 Andreeff R, Edwards S. Student perceptions of online (virtual) vs in-person interprofessional education simulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Allied Health. 2023;52(1):e17-e21.

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The Transition to Clinical Practice Program

is a WIN-WIN-WIN for Butler University, Community Health Network, and the patients they serve.

In summer 2021, Butler University and Community Health Network (CHN) piloted a Fellowship program called Transition to Clinical Practice (TCP). The goal was to ensure a foundational level of medical competency for all its new APP hires and support them in the transition from academia into practice. This credit-bearing, full-time, graduate certificate program is designed to impact the job performance and job satisfaction of its newly hired APPs. Since new hires can participate in onboarding before they are fully credentialed, this eight-week Fellowship is to strengthen foundational knowledge in family medicine while training with clinical mentors aimed at helping them hit the ground running.

Jennifer Guthrie MPAS, PA-C (CO 2000) serves as Butler’s Director of the TCP Program. She provides the online course content, activities, assignments, quizzes, and exams with the support of other faculty experienced in primary care. The TCP Fellowship Director, Lori Vasquez DMS, PA-C (CO 2003 and 2022), administers the program from the CHN side, collecting and monitoring performance evaluations and end-of-program surveys of both TCP Fellows and their clinical preceptors. CHN also collects retention and productivity data essential to measuring program success.

Evaluations and survey results revealed a high level of satisfaction on both sides, ranging from 4.73–5.0 based on a 5-point scale. Performance data revealed that TCP Fellows have almost three times the RVUs at months two and six of seeing patients independently versus non-Fellows onboarded before the Fellowship. This equates to increased patient access to care and significantly more revenue for the health system. Since its inception, each TCP cohort has yielded consistently high benchmarks in employee retention, another metric important to a health system.

If you think that your health system or provider group may be interested in providing early didactic support through a Transition to Practice Fellowship Program in Family Medicine or another specialty, please get in touch with jrguthri@butler.edu.

AAPA 2O23 CONFERENCE

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Alumni, faculty and staff, and current students gathered during the AAPA Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, for fun and friendship.

Back Row (left to right): Cody Sasek, Ray Eifel, Kristina McCaffrey, Renee Andreeff, Chris Roman, Natalie Harrell, Makenna Meister, Cheryl Pittsford, Emily Kriech, Jenn Guthrie, Kathy Buchanan, Maggie Doty Lewis, Annie Geary, Kaitlin Ruether, Austin Slayter, Toby Brower, Sarah Hughes, Katie Coby, Erin Choate Middle Row: Jennifer Zorn, Elise Large, Bailey Webber, Brenda Quincy Front Row: Kristen Kathman Smith, Lauren Query Waugh, Kali Veness, Andy Chastain, Carol Sitzman, Ketura Isidor

Preceptor Spotlight In March, The Society of Hospital Medicine presented an Award of Excellence in Clinical Leadership for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to Bridget McGrath MPAS, PA-C, FHM. Bridget McGrath, Butler MPAS Class of 2014, works in a Section of Hospital Medicine at UChicago Medical Center (since 2017) and is the APP Manager and Interprofessional Education co-lead overseeing the clinical performance, staffing, and career mentorship of the NP/PA Hospitalist team. For her service as a clinical preceptor in the Butler PA Program, she holds the position of Affiliate Faculty and also serves on the COPHS Dean’s Advisory Council.

We caught up with Bridgit to congratulate her on earning this esteemed award.

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Aside from your core administrative and patient care responsibilities, where does your true passion lie?

I am drawn to professional development and academia. I am grateful that I can augment these passions in my current role, positively impacting patient care and creating a career that gives back to my personal development.

In all areas that you touch in your current role, what stops you in your tracks and makes you want to lean in?

Anytime the concept of mentorship or professional development is brought up, I innately feel the tug to “lean in.” I love mentoring others and being mentored myself. I am always grateful to partake in projects, programming, or idea sharing on how best to create positive mentorship relationships, which can lead to both parties developing new skills, discovering new passions, or assisting in accomplishing career milestones.

On a more personal front, what do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Learning how to balance work and personal life is always a challenge, but throughout my life, running has been something I have continuously come back to in happy, sad, and stressful times. It never doesn’t give back to you. This time, I was lucky enough to embark on a journey that resulted in completing races in both Chicago and Indianapolis, two places where I feel most at home. The 500 Festival Indy Mini in May was my third half marathon, and there is just something about the collective power of running with a mass of humanity, experiencing a sheer force of joy, perseverance, and resilience. You see a stranger struggling, or you are struggling yourself, and you just support one another. It’s powerful in a way I can’t explain.

BECOME A PRECEPTOR

PRECEPTING is a WAY of: Participating in the training of future physician assistants Giving back to the PA profession Supporting the Butler University PA Program Keeping abreast of current medications and treatment guidelines Attaining personal satisfaction and professional growth as a healthcare professional

DO YOU HAVE THE DESIRE TO BE A CLINICAL PRECEPTOR? Fill out our Preceptor Affiliation Form butler.edu/physician-assistant/preceptorinformation.

Or, contact Karen Corby, kjfuller@butler.edu, 317-940-9507.

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2OO3 Class of

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? It is always exciting to learn what our PA alumni have accomplished since graduation. We are pleased to highlight a few graduates of the Class of 2003 and where they are now.

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHER PA GRADS! What are you doing now? Contact us at PAprogram@butler.edu.

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UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

KAREY (CLAYWELL) DAVIS

We love to keep in touch with our

In October 2023 I became the Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor with the Miami University PA Program. I still work prn at TriHealth Urgent Care alumni.

Please help us keep you in Oxford, OH and one day a week in Physiatry for Henry Community Health, New current on whatofisspecialties new in our Castle, IN where I spent the previous 15 years in a multitude (Physiatry, Orthopedics, Emergency Medicine). Prior to Henry Community I worked in Family program by sharing the following Medicine, Rheumatology, and Spine Surgery.

information us at and am I recently completed the PA Foundation’s Nutrition Outreach with Fellowship currently involved with the Mental Health First Aid Outreach Fellowship. I serve on PAProgram@butler.edu. the Mallory Wilson Center for Healthcare Education Board of Directors at Miami University and work closely with their pre-health students. In addition, I speak for Boston Scientific, specifically on Vertiflex and Spinal Cord Stimulation. I have also been involved with Butler University’s PA ProgramYOUR as a guestNAME lecturer, assisting with (maiden and married) interviews, and precepting students.

I enjoy spending time with my family, including my husband and my two children, CLASS YEAR as well as my two bonus children (all teenagers). We have a busy house all the time CURRENT and love every minute of it! We enjoy spending time at homeEMPLOYER and the lake, as well as staying active with the kids’ events. We also have a rental business, which keeps us EMAIL ADDRESS busy between our kids and full-time jobs.

LORI VASQUEZ

PREFERRED PHONE NUMBER MAILING ADDRESS

For the past 20 years, I have worked in Bariatric and General Surgery with the NEWS same collaborating physician. We first met during YOUR my General Surgery rotation in (professional and and personal) PA school. We worked together in private practice for nine years then became employed by Community Health Network in 2012. We specialize in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. I have worked as a Clinical Instructor and Preceptor for Butler’s PA program for the past seven years. I completed my DMS through Butler in 2022. In February, I cut back my clinical practice to two days a week to accept a position as Director of APP Fellowship and Professional Development for CHN. I work with all new APPs hired into Primary Care and facilitate procedural training along with specialty clinical rotations as part of their onboarding experience and orientation process. My husband, Jason, and I now have two boys, Alex (17) and Andrew (13). We live in Carmel, Indiana, with our giant yellow lab, Parker. We spend most of our extra time at the lacrosse fields watching our boys play. We love to travel and have taken our family all over the United States, including Alaska, and Hawaii, as well as Europe and Mexico; but Costa Rica is probably our favorite destination. I still bake cookies frequently (like I did in PA school) and have become quite popular with my boys’ friends because of them!

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of No Master’s Degree Required.

100% Online.

Four Concentrations.