8-9 a.m. -- PA Program Townhall with OAPA Leaders

From L to R: President Clayton Rotuno, PA-C, President-Elect Madeline A. Meyers, PA-C, DMSc, Immediate Past President Nathan Hart, MS, MBA, PA-C, Vice President Emily A. Kohler, MSBS, PA-C, Secretary-Treasurer Kristin Homoki, DMSc, MSHS, PA-C

9-9:30 a.m. -- What to do When a Healthcare Professional Needs Help, presented by Richard N. Whitney, MD, DABAM, FASAM

Richard N. Whitney, MD, serves as the Medical Director of the Ohio Professionals Health Program (OhioPHP). This organization provides comprehensive assessment and referral services, as well as monitoring and advocacy, for healthcare professionals throughout Ohio who have been diagnosed with addictive disorders or other mental, emotional, behavioral and/or physical illnesses. Previously, Dr. Whitney practiced Addiction Medicine at Shepherd Hill, the Behavioral Health Department of Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, Ohio and served as Medical Director of Addiction Services from 2001 until 2018. He is a frequent course instructor for the American Society of Addiction Medicine as well as a lecturer for a variety of professional and community organizations. Dr. Whitney graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. He then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Following his of practice in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Whitney completed a fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Charter Hospital of Dallas in 1991 and has practiced Addiction Medicine since that time. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. 

9:30-10 a.m. -- The Power of Partnership: Advancing Pediatric Primary Care with a Collaborative PA Fellowship, presented by Katelyn McElhaney, APRN-CNP

Katelyn McElhaney, APRN-CNP, is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner with 10 years of experience in primary care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University and currently practices at Akron Children’s Hospital in Lisbon. She also serves as the lead advanced practice provider (APP) for the Mahoning Valley, supporting APP leadership and collaboration across the region. Katelyn is passionate about mentoring and preparing providers for success as they start their journey in healthcare.

10-10:30 a.m. -- Coffee Break

10:30-11:30 a.m. -- What's New in Accreditation Standards?, presented by Melissa Coffman, EdD, MPA, PA-C, from ARC-PA

Melissa Coffman is a seasoned Physician Assistant whose clinical career was primarily in Interventional Cardiology. She spent 16 years in PA education, holding multiple roles including principal faculty, clinical director, and program director. In 2016, she joined the ARC-PA, where she now serves as the Executive Accreditation Director. Melissa is a graduate of the Long Island University PA Program. She earned a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University in 2001 and went on to complete her Doctorate of Education at Nova Southeastern University in 2013, with a focus on curriculum design and healthcare education. Outside of her professional work, Melissa resides in Tallahassee with her husband and two children. She is an active volunteer in her church community and serves as a Committee Member for her daughter’s Scouting troop.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. -- Harnessing AI in PA Education: From Course Design to Learner Support, presented by Jaclyn M. Demeter, DMS, MPAS, PA-C, and Elizabeth Schmidt, DMS, PA-C, both of Butler University