PSPA Awards
The PSPA sponsors a variety of awards for students, faculty, and practicing PAs.
See our latest news about awards and find more information about our awards below.
Latest Awards News
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2025 PSPA Educator of the Year
PSPA EDUCATING FOR THE FUTURE At the 50th Anniversary celebration of the PSPA Conference, PSPA was proud to present the 2025 PA Educator of the Year Award. For many years now University of Pittsburgh has brought forth nominations, and this year again, one of their faculty members was honored. Professor Susan Graff, PA-C who is…
Calling for Nominations
You must know someone who has made a difference in your life. I’m sure there is someone who has allowed you or encouraged you to practice medicine more effectively, inspired you to become the dedicated, well-trained PA that you are, or moved you with their selflessness towards mankind. If you know someone like this, why not recognize them and thank them for their inspiration and accomplishments.
Deadline for nominations is June 30th.
PA Student Awards
Nathaniel Alston Student Achievement Scholarship Award
The Nathaniel Alston Student Achievement Award is a competitive scholarship presented by the PSPA to recognize outstanding physician assistant students who demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, professional development, and commitment to the PA profession. Each year, three students are selected based on a judged essay submission and awarded a $2,000 honorarium, with winners honored at the PSPA Annual Fall Conference.
Thomas J. Lemley Award for Health Disparities Competition
The Thomas J. Lemley Award for Health Disparities Competition, hosted by the PSPA IDEA Committee, invites pre-PA and PA students to explore real-world inequities in healthcare and propose meaningful solutions. Through creative submissions such as essays, videos, or presentations, participants highlight the impact of health disparities and contribute innovative ideas to advance equity, inclusion, and culturally competent care—while competing for cash prizes, professional recognition, and PSPA membership opportunities.
Future Provider – Financial Hardship Scholarship
The Future Provider – Financial Hardship Scholarship, established by the PSPA in 2023, supports clinical-year physician assistant students facing financial challenges who are committed to community service, healthcare equity, and advancing the PA profession. Through a competitive application process, selected students receive a one-year PSPA student membership, helping them stay engaged in professional development and advocacy opportunities while continuing their training.
Award Winners
Nathaniel Alston Student Achievement Award Winners
2025
Lea Bonsignore – Drexel University
Megan Conklin – DeSales University
Valery Luo – Drexel University
2024
Mollie Keech, Drexel University
Olivia Miller, University of Pittsburgh
Alyea Wood, Arcadia University
2023
Kyleigh Richard, Drexel University
Emilia Miranda-Feu, Drexel University
Zoe Khaitan, DeSales University
2022
Rachael Fulreader, Drexel University
Meghan Primus, DeSales University
Quyen Tran, Drexel University
2021
Samantha Noel, Drexel University
Kacie Riebman, Drexel University
Elizabeth Sinclair, Drexel University
2020
Andrew Copa, University of Pittsburgh
Ashleigh Kozicz, Arcadia College
Krupa Patel, Thomas Jefferson University
2019
Paulina Paw, Lock Haven University
Regan Rush, Seton Hill University
Melissa Rickens, DeSales University
2018
Karen Richtar, Saint Francis University
Kayla Miller, Lock Haven University
Sydney Harteis, Lock Haven University
PA Awards
Instructions
Nomination for any of the PSPA awards is very easy.
Submit a letter of nomination electronically, i.e. an attachment to an email to hiserman88@gmail.com and in the subject line please place “Award Committee Nomination”.
Nomination letters should contain the following information:
- Nominator contact information, i.e. name, address, phone, email address. Please state whether you’d like to remain anonymous.
- Nominee’s contact information, i.e. name, work address and position cell phone, email address (personal and/or work)
- Name of the award.
- A brief description why this individual should receive the selected award.
- In order for the candidate to be considered, a minimum of two (2) supporting documents from a student, peer and/or colleague well acquainted with the candidate must be submitted either with the original nomination letter or under a separate cover. If the supporting documents are being sent under a separate cover, please be sure to include the nominee’s name, and if possible the original nominator’s name.
- Deadline for fellow nominations is June 30th for the candidate to be considered for the award at the fall conference of that year.
Please select from the following awards:
- Michael J. Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award
- PA Educator of the Year Award
- Physician+PA TEAM Award
- PSPA PA of the Year Award
- PSPA Humanitarian Award
- PSPA PA Preceptor of the Year
Find descriptions of these awards below.
Michael J. Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award
The PSPA Michael J. Habeck Lifetime Achievement award honors an individual who has provided sustained, exceptional service or leadership to the PSPA, and who has contributed to the advancement of the PA profession, as an advocate in the public and private arenas. Any individual (PA, PA student, physician, family member, colleague, or friend) may nominate an individual for this award. Self nomination is permitted.
Criteria:
- The PA must be a current PSPA Member.
- The PA must have a minimum of 10 years service to the PSPA.
- There must be supporting documents demonstrating how this individual has provided sustained, exceptional service or leadership to the PSPA.
PSPA PA of the Year Award
The PSPA PA of the Year award honors a PA who has demonstrated exemplary service to the PA profession and the community and has furthered the image of PAs. Anyone (PA, PA student, physician, patient, family member, or friend) may nominate a PA for this award. Self nomination is permitted.
Criteria:
- The PA must be a current PSPA Member.
- The PA must have practiced for a minimum of 3 years.
- There must be supporting documents indicating how the PA has demonstrated exemplary service to the PA profession and the community and has furthered the image of PAs.
PA Educator of the Year Award
The PSPA PA Educator of the Year award honors a Pennsylvania PA educator who inspires, stimulates, and challenges their students and colleagues through outstanding contributions to PA education and the PA profession. Any individual (PA, PA student, physician, family member, colleague, or friend) may nominate a PA for this award. Self nomination is permitted.
Criteria:
- The PA must be a current PSPA Member.
- The PA must have a minimum of 3 years experience in PA education.
- There must be supporting documents demonstrating how the PA has inspired, stimulated, and challenged their students and colleagues. (For example, testimonial letters from students, colleagues, and/or graduates that may have benefited from the educator’s contributions).
PSPA Humanitarian Award
The PSPA Humanitarian award honors a PA who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to human rights and exemplifies the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible and quality health care to the underserved in a rural community, an inner city setting or in a geographic location outside of the United States. Any individual (PA, PA student, physician, family member, colleague, or friend) may nominate a PA for this award. Self nomination is permitted.
Criteria:
- The PA must be a current PSPA Member.
- The PA must have performed humanitarian work locally or abroad for a minimum of 2 years.
- There must be supporting documents indicating how the PA has improved accessibility and quality healthcare to the underserved. (For example, testimonial letters from patients that may have benefited from the humanitarian acts, and/or other healthcare providers who have witnessed the charitable deeds).
PSPA Preceptor of the Year
The PSPA Preceptor of the Year Award honors a PA, Physician or Nurse Practitioner who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the clinical education of PA students as a mentor and instructor.
Criteria:
- The candidate must be a PA, Physician or Nurse Practitioner.
- The Preceptor candidate may be out of state, but must be precepting students from an accredited Pennsylvania PA program.
- The candidate is a practicing provider who has served as a primary preceptor for at least 2 or 3 students in the previous calendar year. Additional criteria: examples of how the preceptor has enhanced the PA students’ learning and examples of ways in which the preceptor is a good role model and/or advocate of the PA profession.
- For the candidate to be considered:
– Nomination letter: submitted by student, colleague, faculty, fellow PA, or self explaining why this candidate should be considered for the award.
– At least 2 support letters (should be from a student who has trained with the preceptor and a faculty member from the PA program who placed the student with this preceptor. Additional letters of support are welcome.
Physician + PA Team Award
The Physician+PA TEAM award will be presented to a Physician/PA team who exemplifies the synergistic working relationship that is essential to the administration of quality health care to patients and the community. Any individual (PA, PA student, physician, patient, family member, colleague, or friend) may nominate a team for this award. Self nomination is permitted.
Criteria:
- The PA must be a current PSPA Member.
- The team must have practiced together for a minimum of 2 years.
- There must be supporting documents demonstrating how the team interacts with patients, i.e. improves the delivery of health care. (Testimonial letters from patients, letters from the applicant, Physician, and/or letters from the staff).
- There must be evidence of community involvement demonstrating the team approach to medicine.
Previous Award Winners
2025
PA Educator of the Year – Susan Graff, PA-C
2024
PA Educator of the Year – Christine Rodgers, PA-C
PA Preceptor or the Year – Alexa Llewellyn, PA-C
2023
PA of the Year – David Beck, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Antoinette Wilson, PA-C
PA Preceptor of the Year – Jake Wills, PA-C
Michael J. Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award – Lane Bower, PA-C
2022
PA of the Year – Amy Haller, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Rosa Fannie, PA-C
Michael J. Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award – Mark DeSantis, PA-C
2021
PA Educator of the Year – Jamie Hammond, MPAS, MS, PA-C
Preceptor of the Year – Robert Lowry, PA-C
2020
PA Educator of the Year – Jason Hare, MPAS, PA-C
Physician + PA Team Award – Zane Gates, MD and Vincent Capone, PA-C
2019
PA Educator of the Year – Mary C. Alias, PAS, PA-C
Physician + PA Team Award – Barry Jacob, MD and Jacqui Kernaghan, PA-C
Michael J. Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award – Robert Emery, PA-C
2018
PA Educator of the Year – Emily Murphy, PA-C
PA Preceptor of the Year – Dr. Mark Armstrong
Humanitarian of the Year – Deb Opacic, PA-C
2017
PA Educator of the Year – David Beck, PA-C
PA Preceptor of the Year – Dr. Marcelino DeSantos
2016
PA Educator of the Year – Kathleen Ehrhardt, MMS, PA-C
Humanitarian of the Year – Hoonani Cuadrado, PA-C
2015
PA Educator of the Year – Julie Kinzel, MEd, PA-C
Michael Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award – Dee Soltes, PA-C
2014
PA Educator of the Year – Lane Bower, PA-C
Michael Habeck Lifetime Achievement Award – Pam Minardi, PA-C
Physician + PA Team – Jonathan Lax Treatment Center, Philadelphia
Angela Kapalko, PA-C
Sarah Smith, PA-C
Dr. Karam Mounzer
Dr. Joseph Garland
Dr. Laura Bamford
Dr. Helen Koenig
2013
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Sandra Nettrour, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Dr. Kim Cavanagh, PA-C
2012
Humanitarians PA of the Year – Brett Feldman, PA-C and Corinne Feldman, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Tracy Wright, PA-C
2011
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Deborah Jennings, PA-C
PA of the Year – Mary Englerth, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Rosalie Coppola, PA-C
Michael Habeck Life Achievement Award – Linda Sekhon, PA-C
2010
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Jackie Lageman, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Deb Opacic, PA-C
Michael Habeck Life Achievement Award – Karen Sweeney, PA-C
2009
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Deborah Fischer, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Anne Mae Smith, PA-C
2008
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Peter Murray, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Michael Essig, MD
Michael J Habeck Life Achievement Award – Thomas J Lemley, PA-C
2007
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Marianne Taft Schroeder, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Walt Eisenhauer, PA-C
Michael J Habeck Life Achievement Award – Susan DeSantis, PA-C
Physician/PA Team – Pam Minardi, PA-C and Joel Samitt, MD
2006
PA of the Year – Bill Brown, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Earl Fraley, PA-C
Michael J Habeck Life Achievement Award – Bernie Schwartz, PA-C
Physician/PA Team – Abby Jacobson, PA-C – Bruce Bro, MD – Patrick Feehan, MD
2005
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Monica Medina, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Gretchen Fox, PA-C
Life Achievement Award – John Onderko, PA-C
Outstanding Leadership – Christine Snyder, PA-C
2004
Life Achievement Award – William Duryea, PA-C
PA of the Year – Fae Foust, PA-C
2003
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Allan Tidwell, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Michael Rackover, PA-C
Life Achievement Award – Greg Jaques, PA-C
Outstanding Leadership – Mark DeSantis, PA-C
2002
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Mary Englerth, PA-C
PA Educator of the Year – Eleanor Babonis, PA-C
Life Achievement Award – Michael Habeck, PA-C
2001
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Deborah Kortyna, PA-C
PA of the Year – Ginny Vesay, PA-C
Life Achievement Award – Ronald Mezick, PA-C
2000
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Marsha Lewis, PA-C
PA of the Year – Sherry Stolberg, PA-C
1999
PA of the Year – Mark Hertweck, PA-C
Life Achievement Award – Stephen Wilson, PA-C
1998
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Johanna Berrigan, PA-C
PA of the Year – Thomas Lemley, PA-C
1997
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Diane Romanowsky, PA-C
PA of the Year – Libby Brown, PA-C
1996
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Sue Swank-Cashera, PA-C
PA of the Year – Kim Rinaldi, PA-C
Life Achievement Award – Nate Alston, PA-C
1995
Humanitarian PA of the Year – Evelyn Gilbert, PA-C
PA of the Year – Karen Sweeney, PA-C
Life Achievement Award – Kathy and David Bissonette, PA-C