Westfield State PA Students Triumph at MAPA Fall CME Conference

The Westfield State University’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program had an outstanding weekend at the Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants (MAPA) Fall CME Conference in Salem, MA. For the second consecutive year, University students took home the MAPA Student Challenge Bowl trophy, competing against five other schools from across the state. Samantha O’Brien, Lexi West, and Teddy Krajkowski were cheered on by over 20 classmates and faculty members. 

"The Fall 2024 MAPA CME Conference was an excellent opportunity for the WSU PA Program to be showcased with 24 students and faculty in attendance,” Dr. Susan McDiarmid, Assistant Program Director said. “I was so proud to see WSU PA students bringing home the MAPA Student Challenge Bowl trophy for the second year in a row, especially as it is only our third time participating!”

West expressed enthusiasm at the subject matters presented at the conference, describing panels on wilderness medicine, treatments for substance use disorders and long-COVID, along with AI use in the field. “We had a great turn out of Westfield State students at the conference. It was great to interact with other students from other programs,” she said, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the event.

West also commented on their “shocking and exciting” Challenge Bowl victory. “We had a slow start in the first two rounds, we finished second to last each time and entered the final round in last place. During the last round, we were able to work together and win! The very last question of the competition that sealed the fate of our win was based on our classmate Michelle’s poster. It was a great experience, and I would recommend all PAs and students attend.”

O’Brien echoed West’s sentiments, stating, “We are so honored and excited bring home this accomplishment. This is the second year in a row that Westfield State has won this competition. Historically, the team that competes is composed of 3 clinical year (2nd year) students. I am so thankful for the program for providing us with the resources and support that allows us to succeed and accomplish achievements such as this. We are proud to represent Westfield State and the first public PA program in New England.”

In addition to the Challenge Bowl victory, PA student Michelle Mukasa, presented her Capstone poster, titled “Management of Molluscum Contagiosum in Pediatrics,” at the state conference. This was a particularly momentous accomplishment for Mukasa, who migrated from the United Kingdom when she was 11 and will be the first of her family to receive a master’s degree on U.S. soil.

“I feel profoundly honored to participate in this historic moment at the Massachusetts Association of Physician Associates (MAPA) conference, where I proudly represent my Physician Assistant program,” Mukasa said. “This year marks a significant milestone as students are selected to present their Capstone research at this esteemed event for the first time. As I reflect on my journey, I am overwhelmed with gratitude when I think of the sacrifices my Mom made to help me pursue my dreams. Her resilience and support have brought me one step closer to achieving my goals, and for that, I am immensely grateful.”

Mukasa also attributed her success to the encouragement and support of the PA program itself, which helped her develop skills in both public speaking and confidence. “Prior to entering PA school, I had little experience with public speaking beyond my role as a teaching assistant on Zoom,” she added. “I didn’t feel particularly comfortable in front of an audience. However, the PA program has provided abundant opportunities for growth in this area. While I still experience nerves before speaking, the encouragement from my family, classmates, and faculty has empowered me to overcome this hurdle. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated faculty of the Westfield State University Physician Assistant Studies program for their unwavering support, as well as to MAPA for organizing such an impactful event.”