From the Podium to the OR: Join PA Jobs at AAPA 2026 in New Orleans

Jennifer Vonderau
3 minutes ago
5 min read

The energy of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) National Conference is unlike anything else in our profession. It is a time for advocacy, clinical updates, and reconnecting with the community that makes being a PA so unique.

At AAPA in May, the PA Jobs team is heading to New Orleans, and we couldn’t be more excited to share that our co-founder, Jennifer Vonderau, will be taking the stage for two distinct presentations! Whether you are a seasoned PA looking to understand the current landscape of the PA marketplace or a PA student preparing to scrub in for the first time, these sessions are designed to provide you with actionable insights and data-driven strategies.

Here is a deep dive into what Jennifer will be sharing at AAPA 2026 and why you should add these sessions to your conference schedule.

Session 1: Pivot or Practice: Mapping the Modern PA Marketplace

The Big Picture: The "lateral mobility" of the PA profession is often cited as our greatest strength. We are told we can switch specialties with ease, but how does the regulatory environment of the state you live in actually impact your ability to "pivot"?

In this research-based presentation, Jen serves as CME faculty, helping the audience to explore the growth from traditional clinical practice to expanded roles in education, research, and leadership. This isn't just a theoretical discussion; it is a real-time analysis of where the jobs actually are and how state laws dictate your career ceiling.

The Research: A Tale of Two States

To understand the current marketplace, Jennifer conducted a comparative cross-sectional analysis of two states with similar populations (~4.5M) but vastly different regulatory models:

State A (Louisiana): A state requiring PA practice under the delegated authority of a licensed physician.
State B (Oregon): A state utilizing the Optimal Team Practice (OTP) model, allowing for significantly greater PA autonomy.

By analyzing every job listing across major health systems in December 2025, the study uncovered a phenomenon Jennifer calls the "Autonomy Dividend."

Key Findings You’ll Hear About:

Specialty Saturation: In more restrictive regulatory environments, PAs are heavily saturated in medical subspecialties. Conversely, in autonomous environments, there is a much higher rate of PAs practicing in Family Medicine and Urgent Care.
The Rural Gap: The research found that the autonomous state featured a significantly higher proportion of rural job listings compared to the supervisory state. This suggests that OTP isn't just good for PAs; it’s vital for rural healthcare access.
The Career Pivot: While non-clinical roles are still emerging, there are different proportions of active listings for PA leadership and clinical faculty positions by state.

Why You Should Attend: If you feel "stuck" in your current role or are considering a move to a new state, this session will give you the data you need to understand how legislative environments affect your earning potential and career longevity. You will leave with a clearer map of the modern marketplace and an understanding of how to position yourself for a "pivot" into leadership or academia.

Session 2: Do Your Best and Impress: Excelling on Your Surgery Rotation

The Big Picture: Surgical subspecialties are currently one of the fastest-growing employers for PAs, with over 25% of recent graduates entering a surgical field. Yet, many students feel underprepared. Most PA programs provide only one semester of didactic surgical training and a single clinical rotation. Stepping into an OR where the residents have five years of training can be, quite frankly, terrifying.

In this informative, practical session, Jen draws on her years of experience as an inpatient PA in surgery to help students bridge the gap between the classroom, the operating room, and the peri-operative space.

What We Will Cover:

Jennifer has designed this talk to be the basics and strategies she wishes all students came prepared with. The learning objectives are focused on immediate, practical application:

The Surgical Presentation: Learn the specific nuances of how to present a patient to a surgeon. Hint: It’s not the same as a medicine presentation. We’ll discuss how to be concise, accurate, and "surgical" in your communication.
Mastering the Basics: We will review the most commonly used suture and tying techniques. You don't need to know every complex flap, but you must be proficient in the basics to be an asset in the OR.
The Practice Environment: We’ll identify which surgical specialties are hiring the most PAs right now and what those daily workflows actually look like.
Strategic Electives: If you know you want to be a surgery PA, which elective should you choose? (The answer might surprise you - it isn't always more surgery!)

Who Should Join: This session is a must-attend for PA students, pre-PA students, and even early-career PAs transitioning into a surgical role. If you want to move from "just getting through" your rotation to being the student the attending remembers and wants to hire, this is for you.

Meet the Speaker: Jennifer Vonderau, MMS, PA-C

Jennifer Vonderau is a practicing Physician Assistant with a passion for workforce development and professional advocacy. Currently serving as an inpatient PA on the abdominal transplant team at Duke University, she brings a wealth of clinical "boots-on-the-ground" experience to her presentations.

Beyond the hospital, Jennifer is a co-founder of PA Jobs LLC, where she works to connect PAs with opportunities that align with their career goals. She is also the author of the upcoming book Health by Collaboration, which examines how PAs are essential to improving modern health systems. As a "Visionary Fundraiser" for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Jennifer is committed to leadership that extends beyond the clinic and into the community.

Why Join Us in New Orleans?

AAPA 2026 is about more than just earning Category 1 CME credits. It is about connecting and learning together.

By attending these sessions, you aren't just listening to a lecture; you are engaging with the future of the profession. You will gain:

Data-driven insights into where the profession is headed.
Practical skills that will make you a better clinician tomorrow.
Networking opportunities with the PA Jobs team and other forward-thinking PAs.

Connect With Us

We want to meet you! Whether you have questions about the "autonomy dividend" or need a quick tip on your hand-ties, please come say hello.

At the Conference: Follow Jennifer’s sessions in the official AAPA program and come up to the podium afterward.
Online: Visit us at www.findpajobs.com to browse the latest listings and sign up for our newsletter.
Social Media: Follow our journey in New Orleans for live updates and behind-the-scenes content. We'll be updating our Instagram (www.instagram.com/pajobs_community) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/pa-jobs).