MAPA Committees
Volunteer to serve on a committee and help drive our mission forward!
MAPA wants you to volunteer to be on a committee. You can help us improve and grow from your input. Committees help MAPA remain a strong voice for Michigan PAs and sustain a successful academy.
Why Should You Join a Committee?
- Influence Change: Help shape the future direction of our profession.
- Grow Professionally: Enhance your leadership skills and gain new experiences.
- Network: Connect with fellow professionals who are passionate about making a difference.
How to Get Involved
- Explore Opportunities: Review the list of available committees and their descriptions.
- Submit your Interest: Fill out the MAPA Volunteer Form to express your willingness.
- Reach Out: If you have any questions, please contact us at MAPA.
Submit Volunteer Interest Form
Your unique skills and perspectives are invaluable to our collective mission and advancement of our field.
About MAPA
Meet the Board
Click here to see our current MAPA Board of Directors.
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Here are the committees to choose from.
Committee Members
CHAIR - John McGinnity, MS, PA-C
Andy Booth, DHED, PA-C
Jeff Collinson, PA-C
Ryan Desgrange, DMSc, MS, PA-C
Gale Easton, PA-C
Ashley Malliett, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C
Michelle Petropoulos, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Ron Stavale, PA-C
Heather Trudeau, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA
Purpose
To provide quality continuing medical education for the benefit of Michigan and regional Physician Associates. The committee is open to presentations from the membership, Board of Directors, and industry. A well balanced offering including professional and clinical Category 1 CME credits is the goal of each conference.
Activities
- Review proposals and select speakers to present lectures or workshops in their area of expertise at the CME conference.
- Plan 3-day conference schedule: presentations, receptions, Quiz Bowl and other events as necessary.
- Work closely with MAPA Meetings Director to obtain quality venue, accommodations, food and beverage and IT support.
- Participate conference calls throughout the year.
Questions?
Contact Julie Frinzi, MAPA Meetings Director
Committee Members
CHAIR - John Young, PA-C
Julia Burkhardt, MS, PA-C
Cristina Bustamante, MSBS, PA-C
Jeff DeNiro, PA-C
Kelli Frost, MS, PA-C
Susanna Storeng, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Purpose
To communicate information to various audiences using print, e-mail, social media and MAPA website.
Activities
- Produce Michigan PA newsletter.
- Oversee MAPA Minute.
- Oversee communications planning calendar.
- Post to social media platforms. Plan 3-day conference schedule: presentations, receptions, Quiz Bowl and other events as necessary.
- Hold conference calls throughout the year.
Questions?
Contact Julie Frinzi, MAPA Meetings Director
Advocacy Members
Ron Stavale, PA-C, ChairGarrett Smigelski, MS, PA-C, Vice Chair
Purpose
MAPA's Advocacy Committee is working tirelessly to protect and advance your ability to practice medicine. As the only organization solely dedicated to representing Michigan PAs, MAPA is your strongest ally in ensuring that your voice is heard at every level of decision-making.
Our committee actively builds and nurtures relationships with key healthcare stakeholders, engages with legislators, state agencies, licensing bodies, and the Governor to influence critical issues affecting your profession. We’re committed to empowering Michigan PAs by safeguarding your practice rights and promoting the value you bring to healthcare in our state.
Activities
- Act as a resource for the state and federal policymakers, state regulators, and state boards of medicine including the PA Task Force.
- Educate members about legislative issues.
- Address PA legislation.
- Monitor governmental meetings that may affect the profession.
- Work closely with MAPA's lobbyist.
- Hold conference calls throughout the year.
Questions?
Contact MAPA Executive Director Thadd Gormas
Committee Members
CHAIR - William Kammel, PA-C
Becky Cronin, PA-C
Allen Riggs, PA-C
Charles Regan, PA-C
Michael White, PA-C
Purpose
To act as an ombudsman for MAPA members. The committee develops programs for MAPA membership recruitment and retention with the goal to increase MAPA membership.
Activities
- Execute membership drives to recruit new member and retain exisiting members.
- Evaluate member benefits and update as necessary.
- Hold conference calls throughout the year.
Questions?
Contact Isaiah Perez, MAPA Academy Director
Committee Members
CHAIR - Garrett Smigelski, MS, PA-C
Purpose
To support legislators who understand physician associate issues and are friends to the PA profession. PAMPAC is also a pathway to help elect those individuals who are currently health professionals or candidates and advocates of physician associates.
Activities
- Communicate with legislators who oversee our ability to practice medicine in Michigan
- Execute annual Capitol Summit event in Lansing.
- Seek donations to PAMPAC.
Questions?
Contact Thadd Gormas, MAPA Executive Director & Lobbyist
Committee Members
CHAIR - Allen Greenway, MS, PA-C
Karen Bronson, PA-C
Ryan Desgrange, MS, PA-C
Bo Duanmu, PA-C
John Densmore, PA-C
Purpose
To identify issues of public health and develop strategies for PAs to educate the general public.
Activities
- Coordinate volunteer activities across MAPA regions.
- Oversee the development and implementation of educational grants.
- Define and implement MAPA initiatives which support diversity, identify all types of discrimination and empower PAs to protect all patients from discrimination.
- Hold conference calls throughout the year.
Questions?
Contact Thadd Gormas, MAPA Executive Director & Lobbyist
Committee Members
Ryan Desgrange, DMSc, MS, PA-C, Chair
Purpose
To educate members, practices and administrators on Physician Associate reimbursement issues. The committee regularly interacts with PAs when issues arise. The committee also works towards improving and preserving reimbursement to practices
Activities
- Monitor current reimbursement legislation/politics concerning Medicare/Medicaid issues and other third-party payers.
- Address inquiries regarding reimbursement for PAs to individual practicing PAs and the practices and hospitals that employ them.
Questions?
Contact Thadd Gormas, MAPA Executive Director & Lobbyist
Committee Members
CHAIR - Rachel Snabes, PA-C
Purpose
To act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors on student issues.
Activities
- Serve as liaison between the Board of Directors and all student members of MAPA.
- Assist the President in coordination of Board activities with PA programs.
- Promote membership to in MAPA to students at the PA programs.
- Facilitate student participation and involvement on all MAPA committees, teams, functions and/or projects.
Questions?
Contact Thadd Gormas, MAPA Executive Director & Lobbyist
Your contribution can have a lasting impact on the PA profession. We look forward to your participation and the viewpoint and energy you will bring.