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August 2006 |  |
2006 PAEA Election of Officers: Know Your CandidatesCandidates' Respond to Questions from the Nominations and Awards CommitteeTo help members make informed choices, PAEA candidates for office traditionally respond to several questions assigned to them by the Nominations and Awards Committee. In this issue, they answer the first of three questions; the remaining questions and answers will appear in the September issue. Members are also encouraged to attend the Candidates Forum during the Annual Education Forum, when nominees present their platform statements in person and respond to questions. The forum will be held on Thursday, October 26, from 4:15 to 5:00 p.m. Candidates' published platform statements and CVs were featured in the July Networker. CandidatesPresident Elect Dana L. Sayre-Stanhope, EdD, PA-C, Department Chair Secretary/TreasurerCharles Brakhage, MPAS, PA-C, Program Director Director at LargeDavid Fahringer, MSPH, PA-C,
Director of Admissions Kevin Lohenry, MPAS, PA-C,
Program Director Donna Sewell, MS, PA-C, Program Director Kirsten Thomsen, PA-C, Faculty Mary L. Warner, MMSc, PA-C, Program Director Questions and AnswersDana Sayre-Stanhope, President Elect
I have had the opportunity to serve the profession and PAEA in both appointed and elected positions. As commissioner and the former chair of the ARC-PA, as department chair, and as the PAEA Secretary/Treasurer, I have had the opportunity to negotiate difficult issues and, in doing so, have learned valuable lessons. Each time I am surprised by what I gain and by what I have to offer. I am emboldened to do more by the support I receive and humbled by the talent surrounding me. My curriculum vita outlines my experiences and gives a glimpse of something else: I am a nomad at heart. I have traversed the country working with several institutions, programs, and faculty. The constant has been physician assistant education, which has been my home for nearly two decades. It has fed and nurtured me, both literally and figuratively; it has provided mentoring and helped shape what leadership skills I possess. I believe strongly in servant leadership manifest in the ability to hear the membership when it speaks and articulates a shared vision. Tapping into our talented educators, developing new leaders, and using our combined talents to create innovative responses to issues facing us today ensure that we will be active participants in defining quality medical education. I hope to use the experience and skills I have gained from my association with PAEA in the service of the organization. As Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Charles Brakhage, Secretary/Treasurer
I am a seasoned provider and educator with 30 years’ experience as a physician assistant. I have during that time acquired a strong ability to listen to new ideas and quickly identify those that seem likely to succeed from those that will fail. I have matured in both leadership and managerial abilities allowing me to both follow and lead equally well. I have learned the value of collaborative teamwork that has open communication and spirited negotiations because these stimulate the spawning of fresh thought and provide for the best solutions to problems to become apparent. I believe this also will keep our most important and vast resource — our talented, creative, and resourceful faculty — seeking, formulating, and perfecting new and better ways to educate our students and improve the way we participate in the delivery of health care to society. I have directed two PA programs with very diverse student bodies and faculty. I know the value of the strength that this can wield, whether it is in helping the weakest student to succeed or in furthering the development of faculty. These strengths and skills will serve the Association well and allow me to help in continuing and promoting the work of PAEA and its diverse membership.
David Fahringer, Director at Large
I feel that my experience from the very start in PAEA as a committee member, then a chair of a committee, and the last five-and-a-half years as the PAEA graduate advisor will bring strength to the board with the background of PAEA over the last 12 years. Over the 12 years, I have attended the board meetings and have given reports. I feel like I will bring a history of knowledge to the board that will enable me to help move PAEA to the next level. My external experience on different boards will be an added value to the PAEA board. I have served as a trustee for four years at a university and served on two committees within that organization; one was three years on the educational committee. I have served for years on a church board and the chair of the finance committee with an annual budget of over a half-million dollars. I am currently the chair of a day care board. I am a team player and can work well with others in all kinds of situations. I am the type of person who can bring different sides together in agreement when there seems to be no agreement. I am loyal to the organization that I am with. Keeping an open mind and thinking outside the box, I feel is important as PAEA develops into a strong organization. I look forward to continue to serve each of you.
Kevin Lohenry, Director at Large
There are three attributes that I believe will contribute to the overall success of PAEA and ultimately strengthen the organization. First, my experience in education and life has allowed me to remain levelheaded when faced with challenges. I have experienced PA education from a variety of perspectives. At Midwestern University I have worked as a clinical preceptor, adjunct faculty member, associate program director, and program director, and I have been involved in every aspect of PA education. I also served during Operation Desert Storm, which gave me the opportunity to work in high stress situations on a daily basis. Secondly, I believe my organizational skills allow me to efficiently lead on both a local, state, and national level. I have served on the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants Board of Directors as the president elect and during that period I had the opportunity to lead from within. We began several new projects including Web site redevelopment, which came as a result of my leadership. In addition, I have worked on numerous committees at the university level and most recently began working with the PAEA Finance Committee, which gives me great insight into the current issues that the board of directors are facing. Finally, I am a consensus builder. I have been involved with many issues that required divergent opinions to come together on a single page. I believe these attributes will make a nice addition to the dynamic group of leaders currently working with PAEA.
Donna Sewell, Director at Large What attributes (knowledge, skills, experience) would you bring to the PAEA board? How will these strengthen the Association during your tenure?
One of the most important attributes that I believe I would bring to the director at large position is a strong sense of Association history and culture, coupled with an ability and willingness to embrace and facilitate change. It is crucial that we honor our culture and history as a foundation for where we are today while building on recent triumphs to continue to strengthen our ability to successfully address concerns of a very diverse group of member programs. I believe the experience, skill, and knowledge I would bring to the position would be a strong complement to the abilities of continuing board members.
Kirsten Thomsen, Director at Large
PAEA is at a very exciting point in its transition. This is the time for all of us to contribute our knowledge, skills, and experience to assist in strengthening the organization. My networking ability, plus years of experience working with education, policy, community, and medical organizations will provide the Association with valuable resources. When problem solving or planning, I instinctively think about the people who can contribute to making solutions. As president of the Society of Primary Care Policy Fellows, I had opportunities to interact with an interdisciplinary group of fellows from academia, medicine, research, government, among others, who share a core value of information exchange and networking. Also, building on connections made over the years as a PA educator, presenting at conferences, and representing our profession at meetings nationally and internationally will prove valuable as a new board member. Open mindedness and the active pursuit of new ideas and exploration of possibilities are critical for organizational growth. Listening, thoughtful contribution, and accountability are also critical. I will always be mindful of these important qualities in myself. Successful team work relies on these qualities. If elected, I will continue to emphasize these qualities I bring to all of my endeavors.
Mary Warner, Director at Large
Prior to joining the faculty ranks full time, I practiced as a PA for ten years in the surgical specialties of orthopaedic and cardiac surgery. Both practice settings honed my skills in working with others to solve difficult problems. I have held several PA leadership positions at the state and national level and have worked with the PAEA Research Institute for the last three years. One of the main components of the Association's mission is to "advance the body of knowledge that defines quality (physician assistant) education." How we implement this part of our mission will define us as an organization and likely shape the education of our students for many years to come. We remain at an important crossroads. Our success with CASPA has illuminated the need for policies on how to manage the data we collect. As a member-at-large, I would expect to draw on my experience as a Research Institute committee member to help execute the PAEA mission.
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What attributes (knowledge, skills, experience) would you bring to the PAEA board? How will these strengthen the Association during your tenure?
What attributes (knowledge, skills, experience) would you bring to the PAEA board? How will these strengthen the Association during your tenure?
What attributes (knowledge, skills, experience) would you bring to the PAEA board? How will these strengthen the Association during your tenure?
Developing the joint Towson University/CCBC Essex Physician Assistant Master of Science/Certificate program is undoubtedly one of the most gratifying projects for which I have been responsible in my nearly 25 years as a faculty member and program director. Many of the colleagues I spoke with about the project early on were doubtful about the wisdom of the idea and its chances for success. Fortunately, I was able to identify a few very forward thinking individuals from both inside and outside each institution who had the conviction to share my vision — an arrangement that would allow a highly successful community college program to produce graduates who were master’s prepared, while keeping tuition costs down and preserving access to physician assistant education for those who might not otherwise be able to afford one. That was seven years ago. This year the fourth master’s-prepared class of the new collaborative program completes its studies. 
What attributes (knowledge, skills, experience) would you bring to the PAEA board? How will these strengthen the Association during your tenure?
What attributes (knowledge, skills, experience) would you bring to the PAEA board? How will these strengthen the Association during your tenure?