Putting Learning into Practice – Nadya Dimitrov
Name: Nadya Dimitrov, DPM, PA-C
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Program: Stony Brook University PA Program
Program URL:
https://healthprofessions.stonybrookmedicine.edu/
programs/pa/elpa
What PAEA learning activity did you attend and when?
Beyond the Basics: Enhanced Skill for PA Faculty Workshop (2011)
Would you recommend this learning activity to other members and, if so, why?
As a clinician with a passion for education, I found the calling to a post-professional PA master’s program to be somewhat of a challenging uphill climb. Initially, I doubted my ability to perform on multiple levels as both an academic and clinical professor. However, I was given the opportunity to attend a PAEA enhanced skills workshop. Although it was over ten years ago, I still have the workbook and refer to its many resources (people and paper!) to guide and inspire me.
What was your biggest takeaway/”aha” moment?
There were so many areas that I soaked in like a sponge, but I distinctly remember two things that resonated with me: the community of academic scholars that were willing to share their expertise; and the need to maintain the sense of the whole picture of the curriculum. It gave me confidence to face the challenges and continue to believe in the way in which PAs are trained. I was exposed to tools that I eventually utilized. I enjoyed sharing them with other faculty in my own program – if not immediately then somewhere they would surface when most needed.
Tell us about what you have put into practice because of this learning activity. Curricular mapping and learning tools. An in-depth understanding of the nature of adult learners was necessary, and ways in which to incorporate this into the training process for PAs. This is particularly vital in this post-pandemic time.
NOTE: The 2023 PAEA Education Forum and Fall Workshops will be held in New Orleans, October 9-14, 2023. For a schedule of upcoming events, visit: https://paeaonline.org/events.
This article is part of the Putting Learning into Practice article series. We love to feature how our members are taking what they have learned through the professional development opportunities offered by PAEA and applying it to practice. Interested in being featured? Submit your Member Story on the PAEA website.
