Ashley Vitale, PA-C

Ashley Vitale is a 2008 graduate from the Butler University PA program. She returned to her home state of Minnesota to join the Mayo Clinic Health System General Surgery team and for the past 18 years she has been working with the multidisciplinary surgical team with special interests in robotic, bariatric, and foregut surgery. In 2019, Ashley finished her Doctor of Health Science degree through A. T. Still University in 2022 and also holds numerous administrative positions within the Mayo organization, the Mayo PA program, the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse PA program, Mayo Clinic General Surgery NPPA fellowship, and other collegiate healthcare programs. Ashley has publications in JAAPA as well as the American College of Surgeons Case Reports on Surgery journal. She has received the preceptor of the year from the Minnesota Academy of PAs as we as the Mayo PA program and has been honored to be the keynote speaker at two PA commencement ceremonies. Her passions include surgical and procedural simulation and PA preceptor education.

Matthew Weiseman, PA-C

Matt Weiseman, PA-C, is a family medicine Physician Associate whose passion for mentorship has helped create new pathways into the PA profession for students across Minnesota. As a clinical preceptor, educator, and leader with the Minnesota Academy of PAs, he has dedicated his career to supporting learners at every stage of their journey. He is recognized for creating supportive learning environments that challenge students to think critically, grow confidently, and envision broader possibilities for their careers and the profession. Beyond the clinical setting, Matt has developed several initiatives aimed at increasing access, belonging, and professional development within the PA community, including MAPA’s Pre-PA Mentorship Program, a needs-based scholarship program to help address financial barriers associated with PA school applications, and partnerships with undergraduate institutions across Minnesota to promote awareness of the PA profession. Through his teaching, mentorship, and leadership, Matt has helped inspire and support countless future PAs.

Melanie Lucks, MMS, PA-C

Melanie Lucks, MMS, PA-C, is a Clinically Advanced Physician Associate with nearly 10 years of specialized experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She earned her Master of Medical Science from Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan. In addition to her clinical practice, Melanie leads PA didactic education and professional development for her hospital department’s APPs. She serves on the AIUM Limited OB Parameter Task Force and holds advanced certification in Obstetric Critical Care. Her previous experience includes NIH-funded clinical research, adjunct faculty appointments, and teaching for PA programs nationwide. A dedicated leader in the PA profession, Melanie is the Immediate Past President of the Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG) and serves on the Medical Advisory Board of the Mansaray Foundation.

Nicole Heidenreich, MSPAS, PA-C, CAQ-M

Nicole Heidenreich, MSPAS, PA-C, CAQ-EM, is an Emergency Medicine PA at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where she serves as Assistant Program Director of the Emergency Medicine PA Residency Program and leads the department’s Transition to Practice program for new-graduate PAs entering practice without residency training.

Since joining the residency leadership team in 2018, she has helped train more than 30 PA residents and more than 20 new-graduate PAs, while expanding simulation, procedural education, case-based learning, evidence-based medicine, scholarly activity, and individualized remediation. She has also contributed to PA postgraduate education nationally, including presenting on remediation strategies at the APPAP/APGAP Conference, and was named the 2026 Maryland Academy of PAs PA Educator of the Year.

Nicole is passionate about helping PAs develop clinical reasoning, confidence, professional ownership, and an internal standard of excellence. She believes that growth requires high expectations, deliberate learning, humility, and mentors who remain passionate and curious themselves. She strives to create an environment where learners feel supported enough to ask questions and make mistakes, while still being challenged to understand not only what to do, but why.

Meghan Hall, MSPAS, PA-C

Meghan Hall, MSPAS, PA-C, is a clinically practicing PA in the Division of Surgical Oncology at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Advanced Practice Provider (PA/NP) Professional Development and Education Specialist for Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida. She has served as the PA/NP Clinical Education Coordinator for Baptist MD Anderson, is the President of the Advanced Practice Providers Employee Resource Group at Baptist Health, and is the inaugural PA representative to the Medical Staff Board for Baptist Medical Center. Meghan completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA). Meghan established the inaugural mentorship program for PAs/NPs at Baptist Health and serves as a preceptor for PA students completing rotations in surgical oncology. Meghan is actively involved in professional organizations and has contributed to multiple publications and presentations, highlighting her dedication to advancing PA education and clinical practice.

Philip Hehn, MS, PA-C

Philip Hehn, MS, PA-C, practices as an Emergency Medicine PA since 2012 and currently serves as the Site Lead Advanced Practice Provider and Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program Director for Vituity at Kaweah Health Medical Center. Over the past decade, he says he has been been privileged to help develop a strong, collaborative team of advanced providers dedicated to delivering high-quality emergency care. Teaching has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career: whether working with PA students, mentoring fellows through complex cases, or supporting new residents as they learn emergency medicine fundamentals. He is passionate about cultivating a love for this specialty, helping others build confidence in high-acuity care, and creating an environment where learners thrive. His involvement extends beyond the department, including outreach to high school medical interest groups, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of healthcare providers to discover the privilege and purpose of emergency medicine.

Stephanie Podolski, MPH, MSPA, PA-C

Stephanie Podolski is a Hospitalist Physician Associate at MaineGeneral Medical Center, where she directs the Hospital Medicine Fellowship for Advanced Practice Providers and leads the Hospitalist APP Team. She also serves on the faculty at the University of New England, where she serves as Course Coordinator for the Integrating Seminar and Public Health courses, and as Clinical Preceptor for PA students. A respected leader in the PA profession, she has served as President of the Maine Association of Physician Assistants and Chief Delegate to the AAPA House of Delegates. PA Podolski is dedicated to advancing clinical medicine through education, mentorship, and leadership development. She has received multiple awards for professional service, leadership, advocacy, and teaching excellence, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Medical Science in Interdisciplinary Healthcare Leadership at Northeastern University, with an expected graduation date in December 2025.

Annie Wildermuth, PhD, PA-C, EM-CAQ, RD, ACC

Annie Wildermuth, PhD, PA-C, EM CAQ, RD, ACC, is an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant and Registered Dietitian with over 15 years of experience across emergency, rural, and preventive health settings. She is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and co-founder of First Road Leadership Solutions, a coaching, consulting, and leadership development company. A passionate educator and leader, Annie has served as Liaison to both the U.S. Interservice Physician Assistant Program and the Canadian Armed Forces PA Program and as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Uniformed Services University, the nation’s military medical school. Her career bridges clinical medicine, education, leadership, and coaching, with a focus on helping clinicians, service members, educators, and veterans thrive in leadership and life. A sought-after keynote speaker and published author, she has presented nationally and internationally on coaching, leadership, and professional development. Above all, Annie is passionate about helping people reach their goals and leading in service to others.