ConnAPA welcomed nearly 140 PA students from every PA program across Connecticut for its annual Student Day on June 13th at the University of Bridgeport! Designed to foster professional development, leadership, and networking among future colleagues, the event offered students an opportunity to learn from experienced PA leaders while building connections with peers from across the state.
The day began with opening remarks followed by an insightful presentation from Jason Prevelige, Past President of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and Chair of the ConnAPA Legislative Committee. His session highlighted current legislative and professional challenges affecting modern PA practice, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and encouraging students to become active participants in shaping the future of healthcare.
Students then moved into interactive breakout sessions tailored to every stage of their PA education. These included discussions on how to thrive during clinical rotations and preparing for life after PA school. Also, a new, informal mingling session was introduced this year allowing students to connect directly with practicing PAs from a variety of 16 specialties. ConnAPA extends its sincere appreciation to each of the breakout session speakers for generously sharing their expertise, mentorship, and career experiences with the next generation of PAs.
The morning continued with an interactive presentation by special speaker, Stephanie Staggs, CEO of the only AAPA trusted financial planning group. She provided practical guidance on personal finance, student loan management, and building a strong financial foundation early in one’s career—equipping students with tools to navigate the financial realities of entering the profession.
Following the educational sessions, students had the opportunity to apply what they learned while expanding their professional networks. During lunch, attendees connected with recruiters from Hartford HealthCare, Stamford Health, and Northwell Health, exploring employment opportunities and building relationships with prospective employers. Students also heard firsthand from early-career PAs during an engaging new graduate panel, gaining valuable insight into the transition from PA student to practicing clinician.
The day concluded with the always-anticipated Challenge Bowl, where students showcased their medical knowledge in a spirited competition. Congratulations to Quinnipiac University for capturing the championship for the second consecutive year, continuing an impressive Challenge Bowl tradition.
Student Day would not have been possible without the dedication of the ConnAPA Student Engagement Committee and its volunteer PA leaders, including Alec Williams, PA-C, Casey Fusco, PA-C; Deanna Sgambato, PA-C; Jara Chen, PA-C; Emma Molloy, PA-S; and Mikayla Duhaime, PA-S; along with other dedicated volunteers, like Julia Vanasse, PA-C, Courtney Murray, PA-C; Sarah Adams, PA-C; and Cortney Davis, PA-C & Bridgeport University faculty. Their commitment, alongside the contributions of our presenters, recruiters, and ConnAPA leadership, helped create a memorable experience for students from across Connecticut.
ConnAPA is proud to invest in the development of future PAs by creating opportunities for education, mentorship, and advocacy. We thank everyone who participated in making Student Day 2026 a tremendous success and look forward to welcoming even more students next year.