Maine Academy of Physician Associates - MEAPA

09/11/2026

Last evening the 2026-2027 MEAPA board of directors met for our first meeting of the season. We had a great meeting, welcomed our new members UNE PA Program Rep for class of 2028 Rachael Dyer and Director at large Kat Dobrovolny Katherine Dobrovolny, who attended remotely. Also not pictured is UNE PA Program class of 2027 Student Rep Katie Doughty who attended virtually while on her clinical rotations! We are working hard planning our Spring conference, our 50th Anniversary Reception and our Legislative priorities for 2026-2027. We also discussed trying some PA Nights out in various regions, would you be interested in joining us some weekday after work hrs? If so where/what activity would you like to do? As always if interested in joining any of our committees or efforts please reach out via “ contact us” on our website!

09/10/2026

Huge win thanks to the advocacy efforts of the American Academy of Physician Associates and PAs like you. If you aren’t a member consider joining, or contribute to the to keep PA patient issues in the forefront of legislators minds.

Big win for PA practice! 🎉 CMS finalized a decision authorizing Medicare coverage for non-invasive colorectal cancer tests when ordered by a PA, a change AAPA has advocated for directly. This cuts a barrier to care and gets patients screened faster for one of the most preventable cancers when caught early. 💙 Learn more about this update: https://bit.ly/4A7YtgE

09/09/2026

Calling all educators and clinical presenters!

Want to help shape the next generation of PAs? We're looking for PAs to present to PA students at ! Review the requirements and submit your proposal by November 15: https://bit.ly/4d9stif

09/09/2026

Introducing our 2026-2027 Board Year Student Representatives. Returning Representative from the class of 2027 is Katie Doughty, PA-S and new this year our representative of the Class of 2028 is Rachael Dyer, PA-S!

Katie Doughty is a Physician Assistant student at the University of New England and serves as the Maine Academy of Physician Associates (MEAPA) Class of 2027 Representative. A Maine native, she earned her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Maine and previously worked as both a medical assistant and laboratory assistant, gaining valuable experience in primary care in central Maine. Katie is passionate about advocating for the PA profession, promoting student engagement, and advancing patient-centered healthcare. She is committed to developing her clinical skills throughout her training while supporting collaboration and professional growth among future physician associates.

Outside of medicine, Katie enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends, enjoying summer days on the lake, and traveling. She looks forward to serving her classmates, connecting students with opportunities through MEAPA, and contributing to the future of the PA profession in Maine.

Rachael Dyer is a student at the UNE Physician Assistant Program serving as the class of 2028 student representative for the Maine Academy of Physician Associates (MEAPA). Prior to PA school, she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Maine Orono and developed her interest in patient care while working in Portland as a medical assistant in orthopedic trauma. Born and raised in Maine, Rachael is passionate about giving back to the communities that shaped her and looks forward to building a career caring for the people of Maine as a future physician associate. Rachael is excited to represent her fellow classmates at UNE's PA program and connect them to the MEAPA.

In her free time, Rachael enjoys spending time on Little Sebago Lake, reading, and exploring Portland's restaurant scene for some good gluten-free food.

Please join us in welcoming our Student Representatives!

09/07/2026

Congratulations to MEAPA President Kathleen Moneghan, DHA, MPAS, PA‑C, on receiving the national Excellence in Advocacy by a Volunteer Leader Award from Women in Government Relations in Washington, D.C.

This prestigious award recognizes volunteer leaders whose advocacy efforts create meaningful, lasting impact. Kathleen’s work embodies exactly that.

She has strengthened collaborative relationships with licensing boards, healthcare organizations, and policymakers in Maine and across the country. Her leadership has advanced legislation and regulatory improvements that expand access to care for patients statewide. Kathleen played a central role in passing Maine’s PA Title Change bill (from to ), and she was instrumental in the successful enactment of the PA Interstate Licensure Compact. She also championed legislation that removed the requirement for experienced PAs in private practice to maintain costly physician oversight, creating long‑overdue parity with Nurse Practitioner colleagues and modernizing PA practice in Maine.

Kathleen’s influence extends nationally. She was appointed to the American Academy of Physician Associates Commission on Government Relations and Practice Advancement, one of only eight PAs guiding national advocacy priorities. She also serves as the AAPA Board‑appointed Medical Liaison to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, ensuring PA representation within this key interdisciplinary organization.

All of this is accomplished while she works multiple jobs, volunteers in her community, and is raising a growing young family.

This award is a tremendous and well‑earned honor. MEAPA is fortunate to have a leader with Kathleen’s skill, dedication, and heart guiding our organization.

Join us in congratulating her.

09/07/2026

Join us for a night of healthcare topic discussions with Maine's Second Congressional District Candidates, Wednesday, Sept 16th, 6:00-7:30 PM. Sea Dog Brewing, Bangor.

Democratic candidate Matt Dunlap, former legislator and Secretary of State and current State Auditor has confirmed his participation. Republican candidate, Paul LePage, former two-term Governor of Maine, has been invited.

Please arrive promptly at 6 pm. We will be in one of the Sea Dog’s function rooms and will have a cash bar and appetizers available. We will invite each candidate for consecutive, separate sessions. Depending on availability, we will ask one candidate to join us from 6:15 pm to 6:45 pm and the second candidate to join us from 7 pm to 7:30 pm.

Sponsored and coordinated by Maine Medical Association, in partnership with Maine Osteopathic Association, Maine Primary Care Association Maine Nurse Practitioner Association and Maine Academy of Physician Associates.



RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NBMF859

08/21/2026

Hope to see you there! RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CS8FMM9

08/17/2026

Virtual Course starts in October.
Enrollment closes on 9/4. Enroll today!

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play a critical role in today’s care teams and are increasingly
stepping into leadership roles across diverse practice settings. Our APP Leadership Course offers a
tailored Foundational Level Leadership curriculum to support APPs’ skill building, deepen their
impact, and enable their success in both formal or informal leadership roles—while also creating
opportunities to build meaningful professional networks with their peers.
This course offers APPs a cumulative, 7-month learning experience that:
- Builds critical skills and mindsets in leading self, others and their organizations
- Prepares participants for expanded clinical and organizational leadership roles
- Blends state-of-the-art theory and tools with the opportunity to apply these to real-time
leadership challenges
- Develops an enduring network of colleagues that catalyzes future collaborations
across Maine and New England
- Enables optimal interactive sessions with efficient virtual learning
- Supports participants with executive coaching sessions to maximize learning and
application
- Incorporates dynamic speakers and subject matter experts from regional hospitals and
healthcare organizations
- Provides 3 executive coaching sessions to support participants’ learning and growth

To learn more and enroll before the September 4th deadline: APPs Leading Impact in Practice.
See all that the Hanley Center has to offer on the attached flyer.

The Hanley Center is a 501(c)3 mission-driven non-profit that has been designing and leading
leadership and management courses for emerging health and healthcare leaders for more than 20
years.

To learn more and ask questions, feel free to contact Judiann Smith, Executive Director, 207-615-
6253, or [email protected] or Janell Lewis, Director of Leadership Development,
[email protected].

Learn More and Register Here: Advanced Practice Providers: Driving Impact in Practice - Hanley Center for Health Leadership & Education Virtual Course starts in October. Enrollment closes on...