MAPA Presidential Welcome Letter

Welcome Letter from the MAPA President

Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates

Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C

President

DEI Committee Co-Chair

Dear Colleagues, It is a true honor to serve as the 2025-2026 President of the Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA). I’m excited to step into this role and work alongside the dedicated community of Physician Associates who make up the MAPA leadership team. We are united by a shared mission to advance our profession and improve patient care across Minnesota.

As we look ahead, my focus as President is clear: I am deeply committed to investing in our professional and student members, strengthening leadership development for current and future MAPA leaders, continuing the incredible advocacy efforts that are moving our profession forward in Minnesota, and last but certainly not least, ensuring we remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within healthcare and our profession.

Supporting and Investing in Our Members Whether you’re a seasoned PA or a student just beginning your journey, MAPA is here to support you. This year, we will work to expand access to high-quality continuing medical education, enhance student and early-career programming, and offer new opportunities for networking, mentorship, and connection. We will be moving to one CME conference per year with different tracks to better support the education of PAs in different specialities. Our goal is to provide value at every stage of your professional journey.

Developing Strong, Visionary Leaders We believe that the future of our profession depends on strong leadership. That’s why MAPA is prioritizing leadership development across the organization—from our board and committees to current PA student leaders. We’ll provide training, mentorship, and engagement opportunities to help develop

confident, capable leaders who reflect the diversity and excellence of our PA community.

Advocating for the Future of the PA Profession MAPA remains fully committed to bold, forward-thinking advocacy. This includes working to advance title change legislation to align our professional title with the education, training, and responsibilities we carry as healthcare providers. We will continue to build relationships with policymakers and collaborate with other organizations to ensure the PA voice is heard and respected in Minnesota and nationally.

Remaining committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion I am especially committed to making MAPA a more inclusive and equitable organization. We will continue to promote diversity in leadership, create spaces for underrepresented voices to be heard, and ensure that our policies, programs, and advocacy reflect the diverse communities we
serve. We believe that a more inclusive MAPA strengthens not only our organization but also the care we provide to patients across Minnesota.

Join Us This Fall in Alexandria! I hope to see you at the Fall MAPA Conference in Alexandria, Minnesota, at the Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center on October 9th & 10th. We have an exciting lineup of speakers and sessions—and it will be a great opportunity to connect, learn, and recharge together. Register now at the early bird rate: https://www.minnesotapa.org/page/2025CME

As we move forward, I invite each of you to be part of this momentum. Whether it’s through committee service, attending events, mentoring a student, or advocating for change—your voice and your engagement matter.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I’m excited for what we’ll accomplish together.

In service,

Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C

President

DEI Committee Co-Chair

Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA)