08/31/2026

One Conference. One Community. Ohio PAs United in Cleveland.

Here's what you missed!

From August 27-29, 2026, OAPA convened 160+ PAs, educators, students, Pre-PAs, presenters, and exhibitors from across Ohio for a memorable conference full of learning, networking, and professional growth.

The Westin Cleveland Downtown was buzzing last week as the Ohio PA community gathered for the 2026 OAPA Annual Conference. Three days, sixteen hours of in-person CME, a keynote, product theaters, exhibits, posters, receptions, and a Challenge Bowl that came down to the wire. If you weren't in the room, here's what you missed.

Day 1 Highlights

Thursday kicked off with an Opening Lunch Session, featuring welcoming remarks from OAPA conference leadership, a product theater, and a keynote from Rick Rohrs, PA-C Emeritus, on the state of modern PA professional practice.

The afternoon delivered four back-to-back CME sessions covering primary care conditions, anxiety disorder treatment, Ohio legal and compliance hazards, and LVAD/RV failure management.

Attendees had the opportunity meet exhibitors and wrapped up the conference day by mingling at the Welcome Reception. Aftewards, many attendees went out to explore and enjoy the downtown Cleveland food and entertainment scene.

Day 2 Highlights

Friday was the marathon day, and it delivered.

Eight CME sessions packed the schedule, spanning orthopaedics, MASLD management, cortisol disorders, and OAPA's advocacy strategy heading into election season, alongside neurologic emergencies, anemia management, outpatient antimicrobial therapy, and menopause care.

The Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony honored the profession's standout contributors. Board members introduced themselves and extended an invitation for OAPA members to volunteer and become more involved in the organization. Attendees even enjoyed a special visit from a very fancy furry friend!

As evening fell, attendees gathered at the alumni meet-up before energy shifted to the PA Student Challenge Bowl, where preliminary rounds gave way to a nail-biting finale that had the contestants and audience on the edge of their seats. Congratulations to the 2026 champions, Case Western Reserve University!

Day 3 Highlights

Saturday closed the conference with momentum intact.

While the next generation of PAs dove into dedicated Student and Pre-PA tracks, practicing PAs attended CME sessions covering lipid management, lung nodule guidelines, and a compelling pairing on cultural perspectives of the body alongside obesity management strategies in primary care.

Poster presentations and scholarship recognition added a celebratory note to the day.

The conference closed with "All In: Five Calls to Action for Ohio PAs," a rallying send-off from a panel of OAPA leaders that left attendees with a clear charge for the year ahead.

Already Missing It?

If this year's conference reminded you of the importance of the Ohio PA community, make a plan now to attend the 2027 OAPA Annual Conference. Stay tuned to ohiopa.com for details on next year's dates and location.