06/25/2026

2026 OAPA Annual Conference - CME #16

Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 12:30-1:00 p.m.

“All In: Five Calls to Action for Ohio PAs"

Presented by OAPA Volunteer Leaders Nathan Hart, MS, MBA, PA-C, Megan Fox, DMSc, PA-C, Michell McDiffett, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, Madeline A. Meyers, PA-C, DMSc, FAPACVS

Learning Objectives:

• Explain why PA leadership involvement and precepting are essential to strengthening the profession and training future PAs.
• Describe the value of AAPA and OAPA membership in advancing the PA profession nationally and in Ohio.
• Identify why state-level legislative engagement is critical to improving PA practice in Ohio.

Speaker Information:

Nathan Hart, MS, MBA, PA-C, is a physician assistant with more than 14 years of clinical experience, specializing in Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care, and Occupational Medicine. He currently serves as Senior Director of APPs (Integrated Hospital-Care Institute) and APP Director of Hospital Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. He previously served as NP/PA Director for Cleveland Clinic Community Care, where he led a national initiative with the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative to develop a cognitive assessment toolkit for early detection of Alzheimer's disease in primary care settings. Nathan has served in myriad roles for OAPA, including President.

Megan Fox, DMSc, PA-C, brings a background spanning clinical practice, medical management, quality improvement, and PA education at the master's and doctoral levels. Her work focuses on peer learning, competency-based education, assessment design, and evidence-based teaching. She currently teaches in Oklahoma Baptist University's hybrid PA program as principal faculty, developing assessment strategies, strengthening instructional skills, and engaging in scholarly work, with particular interest in workplace-based assessment and the science of medical education. Outside academia, Megan pursues entrepreneurship and local business development, passionate about creating spaces that strengthen community connections and support economic growth in her southwest Ohio community.

Michell McDiffett, DMSc, PA-C, is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates and a healthcare leader with over 15 years of leadership, PA education, and behavioral medicine experience. She serves as Associate Medical Director of Residential Services at Signature Health, Inc., where she leads clinical operations, supports program development, and provides integrated patient care. She is a preceptor for PA students at Lake Erie College and former program faculty. PA McDiffett is a Past President of OAPA and has held multiple leadership roles including the current Chair of the Public Relations and Education Committee. She holds a Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg, PA training from Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga Community College, and a BA in Psychology from The Ohio State University.

Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, is a clinician, healthcare advocate, and leader in the PA profession. He chairs the OAPA Government Affairs Committee, represents OAPA Region 4, and served as OAPA President from July 2023 to June 2024. He helped grow the organization, focusing on advocacy, leadership, and community engagement. A graduate of Ohio University and Franklin University, he works in emergency and ambulatory care in Columbus and participates in medical missions. Passionate about improving healthcare access and policy, Matthew is also a devoted husband and father of three daughters who inspire his dedication to service and leadership.

Madeline Meyers, PA-C, DMSc, FAPACVS, is a Physician Assistant at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in the Department of Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery. She graduated with her Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree in 2018 from Kettering College and completed her Doctorate of Medical Science Degree in 2021 from A.T. Still University with a concentration in leadership. In addition to practicing clinically, Madeline has been a preceptor for more than 40 PA students, led numerous mock interviews for second-year clinical students who were applying for their first jobs, and is an advisor for a cohort of students in the College of Idaho DMSc Program. Madeline has also served in numerous committee roles for the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA) and the Association of Physician Associates in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (APACVS). She is currently the OAPA President.

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