2026 MAPA Fall CME Conference
Mark Your Calendar!
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard Williamsburg, MI 49690 United States
We'll See You in Traverse City!
Registration for 2026 MAPA is open!
If you haven't registered yet, now is the time to reserve your spot and book your stay at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
The MAPA hotel room block is available through September 13, 2026. Book early to take advantage of the conference rate and have the best selection of room types.
Why Attend?
Join colleagues from across Michigan to:
- Share knowledge with the PA community
- Explore the latest research and clinical updates
- Connect with peers and expand your professional network
From educational sessions and hands-on workshops to networking events, 2026 MAPA offers opportunities to learn, collaborate, and grow.
Registration Rates
Regular Registration: August 1 – October 9, 2026
Onsite Registration: After October 9, 2026
Conference Registration Refund Policy
Refund of registration fees may be requested in writing to MAPA up to 30 days prior to the conference, less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued within 30 days of the conference.
Member
Fellow, Fellow (auto-pay), Premium, Associate, Affiliate, Retired and Student
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Member - Early Bird
This ticket includes access to CME sessions from October 15–17, as well as breakfast, lunch, and beverages during scheduled breaks, plus admission to the Thursday evening reception and the Quiz Bowl. |
40.00 (CME) | $425.00 |
|
Member - Regular
|
40.00 (CME) | $470.00 |
|
Member - Onsite
|
40.00 (CME) | $500.00 |
|
Member - Retired
** Retired members are not eligible to claim CME credits. However, if you wish to earn CME credits, you must register at the full member rate. |
$210.00 | |
|
Student Member
* CME credits are not available to students. To be eligible, you must register at the full member rate. |
$125.00 | |
|
Student Member Onsite
* CME credits are not available to students. To be eligible, you must register at the full member rate. |
$165.00 |
Non-Member
Any expired PA, prospect PA, PA student or vendor
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Non-Member - Early Bird
This ticket includes access to CME sessions from October 15-17, breakfast, lunch, and beverages during breaks, the Thursday evening reception, and the Quiz Bowl. It also includes a MAPA membership that expires one year from today. |
40.00 (CME) | $615.00 |
|
Non-Member - Regular
|
40.00 (CME) | $660.00 |
|
Non-Member - Onsite
|
40.00 (CME) | $700.00 |
|
Non-Member - Student
*CME credits are not available to students. To be eligible, you must register at the full member rate. |
$165.00 |
Workshops
Hands-On Workshops
| Credits | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
POCUS for the Short of Breath Patient Workshop NEW
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM |
2.00 (CME) | $50.00 |
|
EKG Workshop - NEW!
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
2.00 (CME) | $50.00 |
|
Outpatient Wound Repair Techniques - NEW!
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
3.00 (CME) | $50.00 |
Agenda
| October 15 | |
| 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Registration Open
Governors' Foyer Pick up your badge and other goodies. |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Product Theater Breakfast
Governors' AB Sponsored by Alkermes A full breakfast is available to those who attend the session. |
| 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Exhibit Hall Open
Governors' EF Visit our exhibitors who proudly support MAPA. |
| 9:05 AM - 10:05 AM |
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Leslie Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA AAPA President-Elect Governors' AB |
| 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM |
Optimizing T2D Outcomes with GLP-1 Centered Treatment
Amy Butts, PA-C, DFAAPA, BC-ADM, CDCES Governors' CD Sponsored by Primary Care Education Consortium and supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk. |
| 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM |
Antimicrobial Myth Management
Jim Lile, BS, PharmD Tower Ballroom |
| 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
MAPA Board of Directors Meeting
Director's Room (Lobby Level) Open meeting for MAPA members |
| 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Chronic Leg Swelling: Separating Common from Commonly Missed
Jeffrey Miller, MD Governors' CD |
| 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Sepsis Review
Nicholus Kopacki, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA Tower Ballroom |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Lunch Buffet
Governors' EF Visit with exhibitors and make your way to Gov AB or Gov CD. |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Product Theater
Governors' AB Sponsored by Bridge Bio |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Product Theater
Governors' CD Sponsored by Sanofi |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
Undifferentiated Low Back Pain: Don't Miss What Matters
Rebecca Cronin, MA, MSM, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
Beyond the Guidelines: Who Fits-and Who Doesn't-in Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening
Nicole Grange, MS, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM |
POCUS for the Short of Breath Patient: A Hands-On Caridac and Lung Ultrasound Workshop
Chris Clark, MD, Kenan Alhayek, and John Decker, PA-C Mackinac Room Additional fee and separate registration required |
| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
Dessert Break with Exhibitors
Governors' EF Enjoy a sweet treat and a beverage with our exhibitors. |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Diabetes Management 2026: Practical Updates for the Modern PA
Brad Vamplew, DMSc, MMS, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Addiction Medicine
Aliya Pasik, MS, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 4:05 PM - 5:05 PM |
Prevent the Stroke Before They Croak
David Vera, MS, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 4:05 PM - 5:05 PM |
Hormone Therapy
Nicole Budrys, MD Tower Ballroom |
| 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM |
Welcome Reception
Join us in the exhibit hall for great food and drinks—connect, relax, and enjoy a welcoming space to network and unwind. |
| October 16 | |
| 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Registration
Governors' Foyer Pick up your badge and other goodies. |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Product Theater
Governors' AB Sponsored by AbbVie Pyschiatry A full breakfast is available to those who attend the session. |
| 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
Exhibit Hall Open
Visit our exhibitors who proudly support MAPA. Governors' EF |
| 9:05 AM - 10:05 AM |
Issues & Answers
Julia Burkhardt, PA-C, MAPA President |
| 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
EKG Workshop
Erik Saulitis, MS, PA-C Mackinac Room Additional fee and separate registration required |
| 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM |
Early Clues, Better Outcomes: Rethinking MCI and AD Management
Gary Small, MD Governors' CD Sponsored by Primary Care Education Consortium and supported by an educational grant from Amgen Lilly USA, LLC |
| 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM |
Navigating the Storm: Surviving a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Randy Danielson, PhD, PA-C, Tower Ballroom |
| 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM |
Prehabilitation: How Preoperative Medicine Can Optimize Patient Outcomes
Nour Lyons Peninsula Room |
| 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Students Set Up Charity Tables
Tower Foyer |
| 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
When Blood Pressure Won't Budge: Unmasking Hypercortisolism in Resistant Hypertension
Governors' CD Sponsored by Primary Care Education Consortium and supported by an educational grant from Corcept Therapeutics. |
| 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Thyroid Nodules: Work Up, Diagnosis, and Management
Shant Korigan, DO Tower Ballroom |
| 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Tardive Dyskinsesia: Screening, Addressing Impact and FDA-Approved Treatment
Amber Shull, PA-C Peninsula Room |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Product Theater
Governors' AB Sponsored by Exact Sciences |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Lunch Buffet
Governors' EF Visit with exhibitors and make your way to Gov AB or Gov CD. |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Product Theater
Governors' CD Sponsored by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself: Updates to Cancer Screening Guidelines
Kelli Frost, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
The Consult That Changed Everything: 5 Cardiology Cases That Redefined My Practice
Eryn Smith, MS, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
Mentorship Meet Up
Peninsula Room Interested in becoming a mentor or mentee? Or simply want to learn more about the program? Join us for an informative session to discover how the program works, what to expect, and how you can get involved. |
| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
Dessert Break with Exhibitors
Governors' EF Enjoy a sweet treat and a beverage with our exhibitors. |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Common Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions
Amber Murphy, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
The ADHA Toolbox
Micah Foster, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 4:05 PM - 5:05 PM |
Asthma Made Easy
Blake Geschke, MPAS, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 4:05 PM - 5:05 PM |
Chronic Dizziness: Evaluation and Management
Danita VanderKodde, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 5:15 PM - 6:45 PM | University Receptions |
| 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM |
MAPA Awards Celebration
Governors' ABCD |
| 7:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Quiz Bowl
Governors' ABCD |
| October 17 | |
| 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Registration Open
Governors' Foyer |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Product Theater Breakfast
Governors' AB Sponsored by AstraZeneca A full breakfast will be available to those who attend the session. |
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Outpatient Wound Techniques Workshop
Colette Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, Jose Valdez, PA-C and Jennifer Shivnen, MS, PA-C Mackinac Room Additional fee and separate registration required |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Past President's Breakfast
NIIJII Restaurant (Lobby Level) By invitation only |
| 9:05 AM - 10:05 AM |
From Provider to Builder: How PAs Can Lead Clinical Innovation
Jeff Anderson, DMSc, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 9:05 AM - 10:05 AM |
Urine Luck: Navigating the Newest IDSA cUTI Guidelines
Jessica Stamatis, MS, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM |
Ortho Without the Overwhelm: Practical Management of Common MSK Complaints in Primary Care
Corinne Gratson, MS, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM |
Beyond Compliance: Ethical Decision-Making in PA Practice
Randy Danielson, PhD, PA-C, Emeritus Tower Ballroom |
| 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Integrated Insights: A Dermatology-Rheumatology Panel Discussion
Andrea Rosik, PA-C and Julia Swafford, PA-C Governors' CD |
| 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Orthopedics for the Primary Care Provider
Susan Laham, MS, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Product Theater Lunch
Governors' AB Sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Product Theater Lunch
Governors' CD Sponsored by Takeda |
| 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM |
Lunch Buffet
Governors' Foyer Go through the buffet and head to a Product Theater. |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
The Pharmacological Update You'll Actually Use on Monday
Andrew Zolp, PA-C Tower Ballroom |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
Closing Lipid Management Gaps in Primary Care
Ashlyn Smith, PA-C, DipACLM, BC-ADM, DFAAPA Governors' CD Sponsored by Primary Care Education Consortium and supported by an educational grant from Amgen. |
| 2:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
Conference Concludes
Thank you for joining us. Save the Date! 2027 MAPA Fall CME Conference Thursday, October 14 - Saturday, October 16 Grand Traverse Resort and Spa |
Join us in shaping the future of healthcare!
Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Sponsors and MORE.
View the 2026 Sponsor Prospectus
Sponsor or exhibit at the MAPA 2026 Fall CME Conference to showcase your commitment to innovation, collaboration and excellence. Connect with industry leaders, engage with a diverse audience, and make a lasting impact.
Fantastic opportunities available:
- Gold Sponsor - Lunch Product Theater - (SOLD OUT)*
- Silver Sponsor - Breakfast Product Theater - (SOLD OUT)*
- Bronze Sponsor - sponsored Wi-Fi and branded guest room keys (SOLD OUT)
- Lanyard Sponsor - branded lanyards worn by all PAs (SOLD OUT)
- Exhibitor - 8'x10' exhibit booth located in either the exhibit hall room or the high-traffic pre-function area
*Contact MAPA to be added to the waitlist if an opportunity opens up!
Purchase a Sponsorship or Exhibit Booth
Let's work together.
Questions?
Contact Dana J. Murn, CAE, MAPA Academy Director
2026 MAPA Fall Conference Exhibit Floorplan
Hands-On Workshops: Learn From the Experts
New topics. Fresh perspectives. Practical takeaways.
We are offering three NEW AND UPDATED workshops. To participate, you must first be registered for the fall conference.
POCUS for the Short of Breath Patient: A Hands-On Cardiac and Lung Ultrasound Workshop
Thursday, October 15, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM
Cost: $50 per person
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an invaluable bedside tool for evaluating patients with dyspnea. This interactive workshop combines a focused didactic session with extensive hands-on scanning to teach participants practical cardiac and lung ultrasound techniques that can be immediately incorporated into clinical practice. Learners will recognize common sonographic findings associated with heart failure, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, right ventricular strain, and pneumothorax while gaining confidence in image acquisition and clinical interpretation through case-based instruction.
EKG Workshop
Friday, October 16, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: $50 per person
For Physician Assistants, the ability to interpret an EKG is a vital, life-saving skill that allows for rapid identification of cardiac emergencies, facilitates early diagnosis of arrhythmias or ischemia, and supports patient triage. Because PAs often work as the first point of contact in emergency departments, urgent care, or clinics, swift EKG evaluation determines immediate treatment steps.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify electrical components of the cardiac cycle in sinus rhythm
- Identify bradyarrhythmic rhythms
- Identify tachyarrhythmic rhythms
Outpatient Wound Repair Techniques: From Assessment to Closure
Saturday, October 17, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: $50 per person
Laceration repair is one of the most common procedures performed in urgent care, primary care, emergency medicine, and other ambulatory settings, yet many clinicians report limited opportunities to develop and maintain procedural confidence. This interactive workshop is designed to provide practical, evidence-based training in the evaluation, repair, and management of common wounds encountered in everyday clinical practice.
Participants will learn how to assess wounds, select the most appropriate closure method, and avoid common pitfalls that can affect healing, cosmetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Through live demonstration and dedicated hands-on practice, participants will refine their procedural skills while receiving individualized instruction and real-world clinical pearls from experienced clinicians and educators.
Whether you are a student seeking foundational skills or an experienced clinician looking to enhance procedural confidence, this workshop will provide practical techniques that can be immediately applied in clinical practice.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate common outpatient wounds and select the most appropriate closure technique based on wound characteristics, patient factors, and desired cosmetic and functional outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in fundamental wound closure techniques, including simple interrupted, running, horizontal mattress, and vertical mattress sutures, with an emphasis on proper technique and complication prevention
- Apply evidence-based approaches to outpatient wound management, including the use of staples, tissue adhesives, adhesive strips, nailbed injury evaluation, wound aftercare, and patient education
Questions?
Contact Julie Frinzi, MAPA Meetings Director
Traverse City in the Fall!
Indulge in a luxurious getaway at the stunning Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, MI. Our exclusive room block is now available, offering you a comfortable and convenient stay.
Room rates are quoted per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy, and are subject to state taxes as well as the convention and visitor's bureau assessment. A resort fee of $20.95 per room, per night will also apply. Please note, the room block will close on September 13, 2026, or once all rooms are booked.
Book online or call 231-534-6001 using the group code MAPA026.
Hotel Guestroom $239
Tower Guestroom $284
One Bedroom Condo $284
Two Bedroom Condo $335
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard
PO Box 404
Acme, MI 49610-0404
231-534-6000
Don't wait, reserve your room today!
Welcome Students!
We hope you will join us for this year’s annual conference! The event will be filled with valuable learning opportunities, engaging sessions, and opportunities to connect with the broader Michigan PA community. Let’s make the most of this enriching (and fun!) experience together.
NEW!! Student Scholarship Opportunity NEW!!
MAPA is excited to announce a Student Scholarship opportunity for the 2026 MAPA Fall Conference!
MAPA will award three (3) scholarships of $125 each to PA students across Michigan. Scholarship funds will be applied toward 2026 MAPA Fall Conference registration fees, helping recipients attend one of the state's premier professional development and networking events.
Submission Deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026
Welcome Reception
Students are invited to attend the kick-off welcome reception on Thursday, October 15, from 5:15 PM-7:15 PM in the Exhibit Hall.
Workshops
Students can attend hands-on workshops for an additional $50 fee, which requires separate registration. Are you interested in being a model for the ultrasound workshop? We’re looking for students to volunteer as models for the ultrasound session scheduled on Thursday, October 15, at 1:30 PM-3:30 PM. As a thank you, we'll waive your $125 registration fee. If interested, please contact Julie Frinzi.
2026 Charity
This year's charity is Alternatives For Girls, a free program that provides safe shelter, crisis support, and resources to help girls and young women stay safe, succeed in school, and build brighter futures. Here is a link to their wish list to help you create your table displays: https://alternativesforgirls.org/in-kind-donations/
Tables may be set up on Friday, October 16, from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM in the Tower Foyer. Judging to follow.
University Receptions
Mix and mingle with your cohort and faculty. Receptions will be held on Friday, October 16, from 5:15 PM-6:45 PM. See program for locations.
Commercials
Theme - TBD
Quiz Bowl
Grab your seats early and be ready to cheer on your school by 7:30 PM on Friday, October 16. We'll see you in Governors' AB/CD for this uber-competitive and highly-anticipated event.
Questions?
Contact Julie Frinzi, MAPA Meetings Director.
Alternatives For Girls' Wish List
The 2026 MAPA CME Fall Conference charity is Alternatives For Girls, a Detroit-based agency serving girls and young women experiencing homelessness and other risks through trauma-informed care focusing on:
- Shelter
- Housing stability
- Workforce development
- Youth programs
- Human trafficking
- Domestic violence
- Crisis support
- Early childhood education
PA students from 10 Michigan PA programs will be collecting supplies for this charitable cause. Once the donations are in, each program will create a display using their collected items for a fun, friendly competition. The displays will be judged for creativity, and the winning program will be announced on Friday, October 16, before the Quiz Bowl!
*Please make sure any large item donations have a receipt in the event we get more than the requested amount.
Welcome Speakers!
We’re truly honored to have you join us as a speaker this year. This page is your central hub for key updates, session details, and event logistics. We’re excited to support you every step of the way—please check back regularly for the latest information to help you prepare and get the most out of your conference experience.
TO DO LIST
#1 Confirm your speaking engagement by July 1, 2026
We need a few things from you—your bio, headshot, honorarium preference, and some other key details. Please fill out the form below so we can start promoting your session!
#2 Register for the Conference
If you plan to claim CME credits, you must register for the conference.
#3 Reserve Hotel Accommodations due by July 31, 2026
MAPA will cover one night in a standard room at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. All speakers must complete the form to reserve your room OR indicate that you do not need accommodations. If you're arriving early or staying later, include the full dates of your stay—MAPA will handle the booking.
#4 Upload Slides by September 25, 2026
Please upload your presentation slides in PowerPoint format, with a file size under 350 MB. If you have any issues, contact Julie Frinzi at jfrinzi@michiganpa.org.
PRESENTATION DETAILS
- Presentations must be at least 50 minutes (including Q&A) to qualify for one AAPA Category 1 CME credit.
- Presentations should include a slide for disclosures and another slide for lecture objectives as submitted in the call for proposals.
- Presentations in Governors' AB, Governors' CD, the Tower Ballroom, and the Peninsula Room (on Saturday, October 11) will be live-streamed and recorded. All recordings will be available to attendees, and MAPA will offer them for sale after the conference.
- An AV tech will be stationed at the back of each room to assist with your slides and handle any technical issues.
- Each session will be supported by a MAPA volunteer moderator who will introduce you, keep your presentation on schedule, and assist with any AV issues. They’ll also help manage the Q&A by moving a microphone around the room. At the end of your session, they’ll direct attendees to the online evaluation and thank both you and the audience for participating.
- If you’d like a summary of attendee evaluations for your session, please email Julie Frinzi at jfrinzi@michiganpa.org after the conference.
DAY OF PRESENTATION
Please check in at the registration desk on the lower level at least 15 minutes before your scheduled presentation. If you have updated slides, bring them on a USB drive. An AV tech in the room will take care of the setup from there.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Julie Frinzi, MAPA Meetings Director, at JFrinzi@MichiganPA.org.
The conference will begin at 8:00 AM on Thursday, October 15 and end at 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 17.
For More Information:
N83W13410 Leon RoadMenomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
United States 517-318-0511