UFPPAA Exec Board Signing Off

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Thank you for a great semester!

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GBM FORMAT FOR SPRING 2025:�

General body meetings for the PPAA club will be held via a hybrid format for the Spring semester. This means that some meetings will be held in-person (IP) while others will be online via zoom (O).

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Most point opportunities (volunteer, fundraising, social, etc.) will be offered in-person.

2024-2025 EXECUTIVE BOARD

• President: Makenna Shaikh
• Vice President: Josephine Pham
• Secretary: Taylor Price
• Treasurer: Kiley Vanness
• Volunteer Chair: Jalena Dinh
• Fundraising Chair: Jenna Ward
• Social Chair: Isabella Deters
• Philanthropy Chair: Rebekah Kertz
• Public Relations Chair: Andrea Portillo-Sorto
• Diversity Chair: Shree Patel
• Outreach Chair: Cami Boyette
• Merchandise Chair: Elizabeth Riley �

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UF PA Student Liaison: Abby Quigley, PA-S1

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PRESIDENT: �MAKENNA SHAIKH

VICE PRESIDENT: �JOSIE PHAM

SECRETARY: �TAYLOR PRICE

TREASURER:�KILEY VANNESS

DIVERSITY CHAIR:�SHREE PATEL

VOLUNTEER CHAIR:�JALENA DINH

FUNDRAISING CHAIR: JENNA WARD�

SOCIAL CHAIR:�ISABELLA DETERS

PHILANTHROPY CHAIR: REBEKAH KERTZ

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR: ANDREA PORTILLO-SORTO�

OUTREACH CHAIR:�CAMI BOYETTE

MERCHANDISE CHAIR:�ELIZABETH RILEY

UF PA Student Liaison:�ABBY QUIGLEY

Email: aquigley1@ufl.edu

UF Faculty Advisor:

MS. DONI WALKER-JACKSON

Feel free to reach out to Abby with any questions! ��She is a 1st year PA student at UF!

Email: doni.walker-jackson@pap.ufl.edu

WHAT IS A PA?

A Physician Assistant/Associate is a licensed professional who:

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• Practices medicine as part of a team with physicians
• Exercises significant autonomy in medical decision making
• Provides a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services
• conducts physical examinations
• diagnoses and treats illnesses
• prescribes medication
• assists in surgery
• Performs educational, administrative, pharmaceutical, and medical research 
• PAs have lateral mobility - they can change specialties multiple times within their career without further schooling

WHAT IS PPAA?

“The primary purpose of this organization is to educate UF students about the profession of physician assistants, the process of applying and being admitted into physician assistant school, and volunteering/shadowing opportunities available to students. 

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This will be accomplished through educational workshops and presentations offered by physician assistants, faculty members, and current physician assistant students. In addition, health-related philanthropic events will be incorporated as a service to members of the club and the community as a whole.”

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STEPS TO BECOME A PA

•  Earn an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in any desired subject
•  Maintain a strong science GPA  ~ 3.6
•  Gain patient care experience (PCE)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 
• Medical Assistant (MA)
• EMT
• Scribe, etc.  
•  Complete prerequisite courses 
• Vary greatly by school
• Courses such as chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, etc. are commonplace
• Required testing/essays
• GRE/PA-CAT
• CASPER
• Personal Statement

• Stay involved
• Shadowing
• Volunteering
• Leadership Positions
• Hobbies, etc.
• Growth year (s)
• Apply to programs
• CASPA
• Supplemental essays
• Interviews
• PA programs are ~2 years (Master's degree)
• Half didactic, half clinical
•  Take the PANCE to become a certified PA!!!

GROWTH YEAR/ GAP YEAR

• What is it?
• Gap year(s) are time taken off between undergrad and graduate school
• Choosing to take a gap year really depends on where you’re at in your own individual pre-PA journey
• What can you do during this time?
• They are great for pre-PA students who need extra time to gain patient care hours, shadow more PAs, finish up their personal statement, and take extra classes to raise their GPA or fulfill prerequisite requirements
• Sometimes you just need a break. You can spend this time finding a new hobby, traveling the world, learning a new language, spending time with friends & family, etc.
• Benefits?
• Personal growth
• 98% of gap year students said their gap year helped develop them as a person, 97% saw an increase of their maturity level and 97% reported an increase in self-confidence.
• Develop new skills
• Meet new people
• Boost your resume
• Have fun!
• Should I take a gap year?
• There is no right and wrong answer to this question. Discuss with advisors, parents, friends and gap year /non-gap year students. Ultimately, you can only make the final decision yourself. Do what’s right for you!

WHY BE ACTIVE?

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• We are the only Pre-PA club at UF
• If you are passionate about the profession, why not be as involved

as you can be? Plus you can talk about your participation in interviews!

• Looks great on CASPA application/resumes
• Certain schools may ask for verification of active status
• In past years, members/admissions have contacted us asking for proof...we keep records :)
• Allows you to run for office in the club
• Adds a sense of accomplishment to your involvement!

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WANT MORE HELP WITH THE CASPA?

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AAPA PRESENTS:

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• Mastering CASPA: Step-by-Step Support for a Standout Application
• APRIL 22, 7PM
• https://www.aapa.org/member-central/pre-pa-membership/pre-pa-webinars/mastering-caspa-step-by-step-support-for-a-standout-application/
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• Become a PA: AAPA’s Pre-PA Workshop
• MAY 17, 8AM - 3PM

https://www.aapa.org/conference/events/become-a-pa-aapas-pre-pa-workshop/ �

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***This is not a cookie-cutter timeline that works for everyone, but it is helpful to get an idea of how to dedicate your time during the application process!

SPRING 2025 MEETING DATES

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*All meetings start at 7:30PM and will take place either in-person (IP) or online (O)

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*In-person meetings are held in the Communicore Building:  C1-015

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*Online meetings are held via Zoom

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*NEW RULE: Need to attend at least one IP meeting to be an active member.

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*Need to attend 3 meetings to be an ACTIVE member! (Universal Points CANNOT be applied towards this requirement)

ACTIVE STATUS REQUIREMENTS

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ALL POINTS DUE BY Wednesday, April 23, 2025

@11:59 PM- NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

REACH OUT TO TAYLOR IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR POINTS!

4079133339

Points Matrix Spring 2025

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Point Submission

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POINTS ARE UPDATED AS OF 4/21/25

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Event Sign-Up/Attendance Etiquette

• -You must RSVP on the website to sign up for social and volunteer and tshirt pickups events.
• -To sign up for an event, you must login to the member portal using your UF EMAIL. If you use your personal email, we will deny you.
• -Please do your best to only sign up for events, you know you can go to.
• -If you need to cancel at any time, YOU MUST reach out to the exec chair in charge of that event, so they can reach out to somebody on the waitlist
• - If you cancel within 24 hours, you will not get priority for events. If you continue to cancel within 24 hours, you risk not being an active member.

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How to RSVP to events?

“EVENTS” tab, “CALENDAR”

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How to RSVP to events?

“EVENTS” tab, “CALENDAR”

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STAY CONNECTED WITH US

https://www.ufppaa.com/

Point Doc, signing up for events, Merch Tab, helpful tips and resources

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UF PPAA Discussion Board

Search this page for any questions you may have! HUGE helpful resource that gives you access to GRE resources, job offerings, etc.

@ufppaa

ppaaatuf@gmail.com

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S’25 MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

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• Fill out the google form below for your chance to be featured:
• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7nAHEzP4zCPE9NtyxhQhfvyMIj3PLjmEeSaiCmOGXxisukw/viewform?usp=sf_link
• We want you guys to be commended for your accomplishments & hard work, so we will choose 1 outstanding member of PPAA before every meeting
• If you are chosen as a member spotlight, you will receive 1 universal point to be applied toward your active member status!
• You can only be chosen for a spotlight ONCE (either Fall or Spring semester)
• If chosen, please contact Taylor Price (4079133339), our Secretary, so that your point can be allocated accordingly.

Sophia Blanco

• Hometown: Miami, FL
• Major: Health Science
• Involvement:
• LEAP
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• Dean’s Ambassadors
• Future Healthcare Professionals for Rural America
• Why Sophia Rocks: She recently reached 1,500 PCE hours & went on a mission trip over spring break!!

WAY TO GO SOPHIA!

Paige Doherty

• Hometown: Long Island, NY
• Major: Medical Geography in Global Health
• Involvement:
• AMSA
• Club Basketball
• International Scholars Program
• Why Paige Rocks: She was chosen to be a leader for a medical trip to Guatemala this summer!!

WAY TO GO PAIGE!

Reminders + FAQs

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• - ALL POINTS ARE DUE BY APRIL 23 @11:59- NO EXCEPTIONS
• - Universal Points can count toward any point requirement EXCEPT general body meetings and T-shirt purchases.
• - Points do NOT roll over between semesters. The only exception to this is the T-shirt purchase - this is good for the year!
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Still need a fundraising point?

While supplies last, previous years’ t-shirts will be sold for a FUNDRAISING POINT!

Please see us at the next GBM or merch pickup to purchase a TAN, WHITE, or LIGHT BLUE t-shirt for $5 and receive a fundraising point!

No need to order online, first come first serve!!

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2024-2025 T-SHIRTS 

Shirts: $20 ($25 to add a sticker/pin combo for a Fundraising point)

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T-shirts only need to be purchased once a year!

If you purchased a shirt last semester, you do NOT need to buy another one this semester to be active.

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Pickups:

• Shirts will be distributed at the end of in-person meetings. If you cannot attend in-person meetings, please join the Slack to find out about pickups.

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The last chance to buy merch will be at the last GBM of the year on April 21st!

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You can pay for merch by:

Venmo (UF_PPAA) or

Cash at in-person GBMs ONLY

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Please reach out to me at (941) 786-4359 if you have any questions!!

Merch update!

We are not using the shop feature of the website this semester.

There will be no pre-ordering merch online.

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To buy merch, please just see us after GBMs (first come, first serve)!

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To check size availability, please contact Elizabeth (941-786-4359)!

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New Communication Platform: Slack

What is it? Communication platform like GroupMe, but all of the categories of messages would be all in one workspace in different channels!

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How to use it?

1. 1) Scan QR code

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• 2) Create an account with you ufl.edu email (ONLY can use this email)

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• 3) Join the ufppaa.slack.com workspace

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New Communication Platform: Slack

How to use it?

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1. 1) manually join each channel to be notified with any events that are currently happening by:
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1. a) clicking “ + Add channel” → browse channel → click on each channel → then press join!

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• 2) direct message any of the board members!

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3) General Questions channel for members to ask anyone about anything related to the club or profession!

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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St. Francis House (1 point)

Date: Saturday, April 26th @ 1PM - 3PM

Location: 413 S. Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601

Volunteer Limit: 30

Description: Help sort and organize donations given to St. Francis House!

Requirements: Attire for the event is closed-toed shoes, athletic wear, and UFPPAA shirt if you have one! There is limited parking, so please carpool if you can!

Carpool Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BWnAJq79oRbRDGsOi26YO1W_S2kqAOBL1JD6A4MWqDA/edit?tab=t.0

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April Events

SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Remaining social point opportunities:

1. Suture Event (April 16th)
2. Sweet Treats Social (April 21st)
3. Make a Friend Social (semester-long)

1. Sweet Treats Social: Join us in decorating and packaging items for our fundraiser. We will also host a friendly competition to see who can draw the best Easter Bunny!
1. April 21st from 6-7pm
2. Location: Room C1-015 (GBM room)
3. Member limit: 30

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2. SUTURE EVENT: Attend a hands-on suture workshop! Led by UF PA students, this event will teach essential suturing techniques through guided practice.

• April 16th from 6:00-7:45pm (must attend the entire time!!)
• Location: Room C1-003
• Member limit: 28
• Cost: $8 (for pigs feet and tools provided) → venmo UF_PPAA
• Participants need to do their bloodborne pathogens ufl training (https://mytraining.hr.ufl.edu/) and wear proper sharps attire (closed toed shoes and pants that covers the legs whether this be leggings or jeans)

Instructions for signing up:

• Sign-ups open April 8th, after the GBM
• Sign-up through the website to claim one of the 28 spots
• If you get one of the 28 spots, you will have 24 hours to fill out a google form where you will upload a screenshot of your completed training and venmo! If you fail to do this, I will offer your spot to the next person on the waitlist.

Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qol-NFiprMxHet-6VFH94v2J-oduGsP9KgaQVS6KC1Y/edit

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Social Opportunities

Semester-Long Point Opportunity:

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1. Make a Friend Social (1pt)

Description: Meet two NEW people in the PPAA club, and write three interesting things about each of them. Make sure the facts are more elaborate than someone's favorite color or food. For example, you can talk about their favorite memory at UF or why they are interested in being a PA. Ultimately, I want to see that you guys had a meaningful conversation and made a connection!

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Requirements: To receive a point, email me a pdf document that includes pictures of you with your new friends, their names, and their three facts. Please put both people in the same document!

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**please email isabelladeters@ufl.edu and name the subject “Make a Friend Social”

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I will be more selective this semester!!!

Senior Banquet!!

Important Details:

• When: April 11th from 5:30-7:30pm
• Where: Depot Park
• Dress Attire: Casual cute
• Food: Pizza and salad from Piesanos!

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Additional Reminders:

• You DON’T have to stay the entire time
• This is NOT a point opportunity, but we still highly encourage all of our seniors to attend so we can celebrate you!

RSVP Using this QR code!!!

(seniors only)

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES

Semester Long

T-Shirt and Pin/Sticker Combo

• Buy a t-shirt (required) and a pin/sticker for $25 to receive a fundraising point
• To get the point, please venmo @UF_PPAA with “shirt combo” as the description and screenshot this payment and upload it to the google form

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Final Events:

• Chipotle Fundraiser
• April 9th TOMORROW 5-9pm
• Sweet Treats
• Before and After Last GBM on April 21st

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DIVERSITY OPPORTUNITIES

Semester long:

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Attend a GBM or event of one of the cultural organizations at UF (1 point per meeting)

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• Hispanic Student Union
• Black Student Union
• Asian American Student Union
• Women Student Association
• Pride Student Union

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To receive a point, please upload a picture of you in attendance at a GBM to the google form.

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Upcoming this semester: Reflection opportunities about podcasts, interviews, movie/TV show clips, etc.

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DIVERSITY OPPORTUNITIES

Semester Long Opportunity:

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Watch the video revolving around the topic of DEI in healthcare. Write and submit a reflection (minimum 250 words) regarding your thoughts and/or additional comments on the video.

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Read through the following prompts about DEI in healthcare. Select 1-2 prompts to write and submit a reflection about (minimum 250 words). Please include your thoughts and/or additional comments about the topic.

DEI Prompts

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April Philanthropy Drive

4/8/25 - 4/21/25

*Please have ALL donations made by 11:59 PM on 4/21/25

• To earn a philanthropy point, please Venmo $5 to UF_PPAA with the title “Kids Count Philanthropy”

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• All proceeds will be donated to Kids Count during the Amazing Give, a local fundraising day to support the non-profit organizations of Gainesville

Mission Trip Point

• 1 point required for active status:
• Attention: To support our members in attending the upcoming mission trip for next school year, we will keep the mission trip point for the 2025 Spring Semester.

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• Donation: Venmo $5 to @UF_PPAA with the title “Mission Trip Donation”. Cash donations may be made to Josephine Pham after the GBMs.

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UF HEALTH PROFESSIONAL CLOTHES CLOSET

This closet will be filled with donated professional attire and scrubs for students to have for free!

*1 UNIVERSAL POINT*

Donations include:

• dress pants/skirts
• blouses/dress shirts
• dress shoes/flats/heels
• suits/jackets
• ties
• scrubs

Reach out to Makenna for any questions 727-308-8545 or mshaikh1@ufl.edu

Last chance to drop off: April 21 GBM

Room: C2-42

Hours: T, Th 6-7pm

Grad Cords!

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Cords will be available for pickup until the end of the semester. They can be picked up at our in-person meetings. I will offer more times for pickup but please feel free to coordinate a time with me.

Questions? Private message me via Slack (Josephine Pham)

Grad Cord Link

• Streetlight summer applications are open until March 31st at 11:59 PM

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AND NOW LET'S WELCOME OUR GUEST SPEAKER...

EVA ROBERTS, PA-C!