07/29/2026
Celebrating the 2026 OAPA Award Winners
One of the most rewarding activities for a membership community like OAPA is celebrating member achievements. OAPA's awards recognize those who have made a significant positive impact on the PA profession in Ohio.
Join us in congratulating the 2026 honorees!
The Charles L. Hudson, MD Award is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated exemplary service to the PA profession and the community and has furthered the image of PAs.
The 2026 awardee is Kara Frey, MSPAS, PA-C, of Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Kara's nominator describes her commitment as follows:
"Kara has been a tireless advocate for physician assistants. Through her work with physicians, administrators, and executive leadership, she has helped increase awareness and understanding of PA education, training, and scope of practice. Her efforts have contributed to the growth of the PA workforce at Cincinnati Children's. This remarkable expansion has created opportunities for PAs across multiple specialties while improving access to high-quality pediatric care for patients and families. Her advocacy has helped establish Cincinnati Children's as a leader in the integration and advancement of physician assistants within pediatric medicine."
Kara Frey, PA-C, has been a physician assistant for 12 years and previously worked as an athletic trainer for 10 years, primarily with University of Kentucky Sports Medicine. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Kentucky in 2013 and began her PA career in adult orthopedics in Tallahassee, Florida. Since joining Cincinnati Children’s in 2017, she has supported multiple surgical specialties and GI services at the Liberty satellite campus. Kara serves as the Liberty Surgery Team Educator and PA Lead of Practice for the hospital, mentoring and onboarding advanced practice providers while advocating for the PA profession.
"Receiving this award is especially meaningful to me because Charles L. Hudson, MD, exemplifies what can be accomplished through passion, vision, and dedication to advancing a profession. I am honored to be recognized in the spirit of his legacy and hope to continue advocating for non-physician practitioners, especially physician assistants, while making a lasting difference in healthcare and the communities we serve."
The Jerry A. Greco, PA-C Memorial PA Educator of the Year Award is given to a person who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to PA education in the state of Ohio.
The 2026 awardee is Carolyn E. Knox, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, recently of Lake Erie College.
Carrie's nominators shared these supportive remarks:
"What sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to her students -- not only as learners, but as future physician associates and members of the community. She always made time for students, keeping her door open for questions, guidance, encouragement, and an ear to listen. Whether discussing course material, career goals, or personal challenges, Carrie approached every interaction with kindness, patience, and compassion."
"She has a way of keeping the entire room engaged, even with the most dense lectures. She pushes us to move past memorization and makes it effortless to practice critical thinking and handle the messy, complex situations we will face in the clinic. As her student, I know she aims for us to truly understand the “why” behind pathologies."
"Beyond the classroom, Carrie enriched the student experience through international medical mission trips and community outreach activities that fostered service, professionalism, and cultural humility. She consistently demonstrated that becoming a PA extends beyond mastering medicine and also means serving patients and communities with compassion."
Carolyn Knox, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, graduated from Gannon University's PA Program in 1984. She worked in Plastic Surgery for 5 years before beginning her 37 year career in PA education. Carrie worked at her alma mater for 25 years as Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor and with Lake Erie College for 12 years, primarily as Associate Clinical Professor and Academic Coordinator. She remained connected to clinical work in Family Medicine for most of those years as well. Carrie has been a long standing member of AAPA, OAPA, and PSPA and retired in June 2026.
"Winning this award astonishes me! I have been blessed and humbled to be a small part in the students' academic journey to become the future of our profession. What an honor!"
The John Trimbath Award for Exceptional Preceptorship is awarded to a person who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to precepting PA students in the State of Ohio.
The 2026 awardee is Markenzie (Kenzie) Lyon, PA-C, of Best Point Education and Behavioral Health.
Kenzie Lyon, PA-C is a physician assistant practicing outpatient psychiatry. She is a graduate of Mount St. Joseph University and has enjoyed mentoring physician assistant students as a clinical preceptor for more than three years. Kenzie creates a supportive learning environment where students can ask questions, build confidence, and develop their clinical skills. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys exploring new coffee shops, planning her next travel destination, and perfecting favorite recipes.
"Receiving the John Trimbath Award is an honor. While caring for my patients is the heart of what I do, precepting has become one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of my career. I love watching students gain confidence throughout their rotation, strengthen their clinical judgment, and develop into compassionate, capable future PAs. Over the past three years, I've learned that teaching is never one-sided. Every student brings a new perspective, asks questions that make me think differently, and reminds me why I love this profession. They've helped me grow just as much as I hope I've helped them. To be recognized for something that has brought me so much joy means more than I can put into words. I hope to continue giving back to the profession by mentoring many more future PAs."
Our congratulations to Kara, Carrie, and Kenzie for their accomplishments and service to the Ohio PA community!
These awardees will be honored at the 2026 OAPA Annual Conference, August 27-29 at the Westin Cleveland Downtown.
Nominations for the next round of OAPA Awards will open in the late spring of 2027. Please consider nominating a deserving colleague for these honors.