This week, members of SPAGG attended AAPA 2023!  We had our first-ever SPAGG reception and had a blast!!  Four members were also part of the genetics track lectures sponsored by an educational grant from the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Networks (NCC) and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).  We appreciate the support.  See you in Houston for AAPA 2024.

SPAGG has been fortunate to receive grant funding as part of an initiative with the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Networks (NCC) to increase SPAGG membership. For the fiscal year 2023 (January 1 – December 31, 2023), we can offer FREE membership to all PAs interested in joining SPAGG. SPAGG will be part of a workforce assessment aimed at genetics PAs in the next few weeks.

This week, members of SPAGG attended the third annual Clinical Genetics Advanced Practice Provider (CGAPP) Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Pictured below (left to right): Carol Trana PA-C, Laura Buch PA-C, Wesley Patterson PA-C, Brittany Hoyle PA-C, and Jennifer Stengrevics PA-C.  This year, 40 APPs from 18 states attended!  It was an amazing conference, and we would encourage any genetics APP to attend!!

Learning more about patients’ genetic conditions, family histories, and dysmorphic features can help PAs know when to refer patients to genetics providers.  Check out the American Academy of Physician Associates' "Top 10" list developed by two genetics PAs! 

Check out the article on the AAPA's News Central here!

Today, SPAGG members participated in the Student Symposium: Genetics and Precision Medicine in PA Practice on behalf of the PA Foundation and  All of Us Research Program. They had a good turn out and a lot of student interest! Pictured below are SPAGG President - Nguyen Park, PA-C (right), SPAGG Treasurer - Wesley Patterson, PA-C (middle), and Program Analyst at NIH - JoAnn Smith, MPH (left).

Did you know there are only 18 PAs working in genetics?!  

The link below is an article published by AAPA explaining Wesley Patterson's journey in becoming a Genetics PA and what PAs do in the field of medical genetics.

Read the full AAPA article here!

This week some members of SPAGG attended the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Nashville, TN.  Pictured below are SPAGG members Wesley Patterson PA-C (left) and Nguyen Park, PA-C (right) who attended the conference.  It was a great conference, and they would encourage any PA to attend!!

An article published by AAPA showcasing two Genetics PAs (and SPAGG members)!

At the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) in South Carolina, PAs Wesley Patterson and Laura Buch find great reward in helping patients who have unexplained symptoms and providing treatment plans so they can live full lives.

Read the full AAPA article here.