Canadian PA Podcast

Canadian PA
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For anyone interested in the Physician Assistant (PA) profession in Canada. Especially if you are preparing to apply to PA school, a current PA student or those working alongside PAs and wanting to understand the role better. Featuring practicing PAs and current PA students, we talk about what the job actually looks like, how people get into the profession, and the realities of training and working as a PA in Canada.

  1. 37: Justin Lautenbach | From Orthopaedic Surgery PA to Aesthetic Injector

    APR 12

    37: Justin Lautenbach | From Orthopaedic Surgery PA to Aesthetic Injector

    Justin Lautenbach is a McMaster-trained PA who has spent over a decade building a multi-specialty career that spans outpatient Orthopedics, chronic pain, and now aesthetic medicine under his own brand, Hamilton Botox. What you'll learn: How to move from a PA student in clinical clerkship to a licensed, practicing PA in Orthopaedic Surgery What milestones are required to co-found and manage an outpatient medical practice How to master ultrasound guided injections, procedures through pattern recognition and expert feedback What the physician-directed model looks like for PAs in the business of aesthetic medicine View full episode show notes & resources: ⁠canadianpa.ca/podcast/37⁠ Follow Justin: Instagram: @HamiltonBotox Visit Justin's Website: hamiltonbotox.ca EPISODE OUTLINE PA SCHOOL & EARLY CAREER: 00:00 Introduction: Meet Justin 04:51 Justin's First Job as an Orthopaedic Surgery PA BUILDING A PRACTICE 09:18 ArthroBiologix: Co-Founding an Outpatient Orthopaedic Practice 16:24 Finding PA Mentorship through Networking PROCEDURAL MEDICINE & ULTRASOUND 17:41 Building Competency in Procedural Medicine & Ultrasound-Guided Injections 28:50 Orthopaedics vs. Chronic Pain: Differences in Approach AESTHETIC MEDICINE 34:39 From Botox for Migraines to Aesthetic Medicine 39:30 Founding Hamilton Botox: Running a PA-Led, Physician-Directed Aesthetic Business 41:06 How PAs Can Get Started in Aesthetic Medicine 43:05 Aesthetics: The Business Side of Medicine WORK-LIFE & CAREER SUSTAINABILITY 48:26 Managing Multiple Clinical Roles without Burning Out 54:36 OrthoPA Network: Building a Community of PAs PA ADVICE & THE FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION 56:12 Advice Justin Would Give to His New PA Grad Self 58:34 Challenges of Pioneering the PA Profession in New Provinces & Territories FOR PA EMPLOYERS: WORKING WITH PAs 1:00:49 The Business Case for Hiring a PA 1:06:17 How to Advocate for Your Own Learning 1:08:23 Final Notes

    1h 10m
  2. 36: Allie Penrose, Dalhousie MPAS | Pioneering the PA Path in Nova Scotia

    MAR 13

    36: Allie Penrose, Dalhousie MPAS | Pioneering the PA Path in Nova Scotia

    Allie Penrose is a graduate of the inaugural Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) cohort at Dalhousie University and part of the first group of Physician Assistants practicing in Nova Scotia. Prior to PA school, she spent six years in specialized clinical roles at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, working in organ and tissue donation and stem cell transplantation. This experience provided direct exposure to high-acuity care, surgical environments, and longitudinal patient interaction, reinforcing her decision to pursue clinical medicine through a non-physician pathway. Before committing to the PA profession, she evaluated multiple healthcare roles including respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, anesthesia assisting, and physiotherapy. In this episode, she outlines her approach to the Dalhousie MPAS application process, including managing a compressed timeline and preparing for the MMI with limited lead time. She also discusses first-year workload and burnout, second-year clinical training, and the realities of entering practice in a province where the PA role is still emerging. View full show notes, resources and transcript:👉 canadianpa.ca/podcast/36 IN THIS EPISODE: Part 1: Allie’s Pre-PA Journey 00:22 Meet Allie01:28 Discovering the PA profession04:49 Getting healthcare exposure06:51 PA awareness in Nova Scotia Part 2: Dalhousie PA Admissions 08:05 Dalhousie PA Admissions overview14:44 Building strong healthcare experience16:55 Staying organized during PA Apps19:56 MMI interview prep24:13 Does GPA determine competitiveness Part 3: Inside Dalhousie PA School 25:46 Inside Dalhousie MPAS31:09 Study strategies that worked32:42 Clerkship as the first PA student34:44 Can you work during PA school35:30 Rural vs urban rotations37:22 Licensing and first PA jobs37:57 How PA school prepared Allie39:16 Explaining the PA role to employers Part 4: Advice for Future Applicants 41:44 Advice for Pre-PA students43:33 Study tools and apps45:25 Final thoughts CONNECT: Instagram @alliepenrose_ @dal.mpas @canadian.pa @canadianpapodcast RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED Recommended Books for MMI Preparation Dalhousie MPAS Admissions Information Nova Scotia PA Pilot Project Practicing as a PA: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) PA Resource Page: CPSNS Celebrating PAs in Nova Scotia for PA Day LEARN MORE ABOUT PAs IN CANADA Free Canadian PA Admissions Comparison Chart 👉 http://canadianpa.ca/admissionspdf List of PA Programs in Canada 👉 ⁠http://canadianpa.ca/paprograms⁠ What is a PA? 👉 http://canadianpa.ca/whatisapa CANADIAN PA COMMUNITY Facebook Group 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadaprepa Discord Community 👉 canadianpa.ca/discord Join the Community 👉 ⁠canadianpa.ca/join

    47 min

  3. JAN 6

    35: Sonya P, Calgary PAS2 | Success after 3 PA Admission Cycles

    Sonya P. is a first-year student at the University of Calgary’s MPAS program who gained acceptance into PA school in her 3rd round of applications. In this video, she shares how she navigated rejection, what changed the second time around, and what life’s been like in her first year of PA school. View full episode show notes: canadianpa.ca/podcast/35 IN THIS EPISODE: Part 1: Discovering the PA Path ​00:42 How Sonya Found the PA profession​03:26 Shadowing PAs First Time​04:10 Sonya’s Pre-PA Stats​07:01 Her Acceptance Journey Part 2: Sonya’s Experience with PA Admissions ​07:50 Reapplying After Rejection​13:14 Applying Out-of-Province​14:46 Inside Calgary Admissions​16:49 CASPer Test Strategy​19:43 References That Matter Part 3: Inside PA School ​22:50 Starting PA School​23:47 Calgary MPAS Program Structure​27:44 How PA Students Study​30:58 Best Study Tools Part 4: Real PA Student Life ​34:54 Day in PA School​38:00 Balancing School and Life​40:02 What Second Year Brings Part 5: Advice for Applicants ​42:28 Preparing for PA Practice​44:13 Advice for Pre-PAs​45:14 Fixing Application Weaknesses​47:30 Managing Application Deadlines CONNECT WITH CANADIAN PA IG @canadian.pa IG @canadianpapodcast YT: youtube.com/CanadianPA Canadian PA Community: Pre-PA Facebook Group Pre-PA Discord Chat Subscribe to the Canadian PA Community

    50 min

  4. JAN 4

    34: Nawal Arshi, Calgary PAS2 | 1st Gen PA Applicant's Journey

    Nawal shares how she gained multiple Canadian PA program offers of admissions. She talks about what helped her stand out, how she found patient care experience, tips for interviews, navigating the Casper test, and what life is actually like as a PA student.Connect with Nawal: http://instagram.com/nawal_arshi_________________✰ IN THIS VIDEO:00:00 From Undergrad to Accepted PA Student04:23 Exploring Career Paths: Why PA Made SensePA ADMISISONS:05:16 Gaining Health Care Experiences from scratch09:52 Securing Strong references with Limited Connections12:00 Leveraging Extracurriculars in your PA Application14:47 Pre-PA Snapshot: My Application Stats18:10 Choosing the Right Program: Why I Picked Calgary MPAS27:19 A Walkthrough of the PA Admissions Timeline28:48 Casper Test Prep: What Worked for Me36:22 Preparing for MMI Interviews: Strategies and Insights40:44 Developing Professional Communication Skills: Learning Early and FastLIFE AS A CALGARY MPAS STUDENT:43:50 Relocating and Starting PA School in Calgary49:10 A Day in the Life: Calgary MPAS Year 1 (PA-S1)54:07 Study Tools That Help Me Stay Organized and Focused57:00 How I Study: Adapting to the Demands of PA School01:01:18 Making Group Study Effective in PA School01:05:59 What to Expect from 2nd Year Clinical Placements (PA-S2)FINAL NOTES:01:07:24 Advice I’d Give Every Pre-PA Student01:10:14 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected_________________✰ MORE ABOUT CALGARY MPAS:Calgary MPAS Program Website ➡︎ : https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/physician-assistantCalgary MPAS Instagram ➡︎ http://instagram.com/calgarympas

    1h 12m

  5. JAN 3

    33: Anithra, Jayden | Live Calgary MPAS Info Session

    Curious about the University of Calgary’s Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies? Join us for an engaging webinar featuring current PA students who share their experiences, insights, and advice about the program. Learn about the application process, program structure, and what it’s like to be a PA student in Canada. Featuring 1st year Calgary MPAS Students, Anithra, and Jayden. Moderated by Sonya. Thank you to Calgary's MPAS Student Association for agreeing to put this on!📚 Topics Covered:- Day-to-day life as a PA student- Tips for prospective applicants- Program highlights and clinical placements- Balancing school, work, and personal life

    1h 5m

  6. JAN 2

    32: Aurthi | PA in Emergency Medicine

    Aurthi is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant working in Emergency Medicine and in her first year of PA practice! We first interviewed Aurthi when was just starting the second semester in her first year of PA school! She now reflects back on her journey. JUMP TO: 00:53 Update from Aurthi Since 1st year PA School2:41 Finding work after Completing PA school in OntarioWORKING IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE:4:13 What drew me to Emergency Medicine5:30 Where PAs work in the Our Emergency Department7:23 Benefits of adding a PA to the ED8:49 Common Conditions seen in the ED10:22 Procedures PAs performing in the ED11:53 Different Patients we treat in the ED12:51 What a Patient can expect when seeing by a PA13:44 Orientation to the ED as a New PA Hire15:29 How PA School prepared me for my first PA Job16:36 What can Doctors Expect when working with a PA18:24 PA Scope of Practice in the Emergency Department17:50 The PA/MD Relationship in the Emergency Department21:41 Who do PAs work with in the Emergency Dept22:30 Impact COVID-19 has had on Aurthi's practiceRESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY MEDICINE: 24:09 Tips to Succeed in your Emergency Medicine Rotation (Tips for PA Students)25:49 Preparing for End-of-Rotation Exam in Emergency Medicine (Tips for PA Students)26:24 Helpful Resources for Emergency Department PAsPA JOB HUNT: 27:34 Tips for Securing Employment after PA School29:37 Job Market for New PA Grads in OntarioREFLECTING ON PA PRACTICE: 31:13 Reflecting on my Decision to Become a PA in Canada322:10 What I enjoy about being a PA

    34 min

  7. 2025-12-31

    31: McMaster, Manitoba, UofT | PA Admissions Overview

    The webinar will briefly go over the different PA school program application requirements and then we will go into detail about what each component is and how the first-year PA students approached each aspect.Original webinar was hosted by Pradha (@pradha_the_pre_pa) on instagram, reposted with permission from Pradha and webinar panelists. Please note: Always check the PA program websites for the most up-to-date information on admissions. This webinar was presented for the 2021-2022 Admissions Cycle based on information available on October 17, 2021. ___HOST: Pradha: https://www.instagram.com/pradha_the_pre_pa/𝐌𝐜𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐀𝐄𝐏 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Heidi (@thesunnypa)▫️ Jaimin (@jpegg_thepa)▫️ Olivia (@thesurferpa )▫️ Selina (@selinathepa)𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐚 𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Dana (dana_skaritko)▫️ Laural (@lkthepa)𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐒𝐜𝐏𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Carolyn (@thenwopa)▫️ Casey (@caseythepa) Original publish date: October 21, 2021

    1h 49m

  8. 2025-12-30

    30: Hannah & MC | Live UofT BScPA Student Q&A

    From a Live Q&A with 1st year University of Toronto PA Students Hannah and MC. JUMP TO A SPECIFIC QUESTION IN THE Q&A:Part 1: Pre-PA Journey• 1:53 Why did you choose to become a PA?• 5:24 What helped you stand out on your application?• 9:15 What were your Pre-PA Stats?Part 2: Life in PA School• 13:03 Why did you chose to attend UofT's PA Program?• 16:56 What is 1st year PA School like at UofT?• 19:35 What is the best way to stay on top of studies in an online delivery model? • 23:25 What happens in 2nd year PA School?• 24:38 How are you graded in PA school? (pass/fail/%?)• 26:44 How hard is PA School? • 29:46 Is it possible to work while in PA School? Part 3: Applying to PA School - Admission Requirements, Interview Tips• 32:10 What makes a strong candidate for UofT's PA Program?• 35:09 UofT PA program Admission Requirements• 37:34 Health Care Experience Hours for PA School• 39:37 UofT's PA Supplemental Application: Tips & Approach• 43:57 Format of UofT's PA School Interviews this year (2021 Application cycle)• 46:58 How to practice for the MMI• 53:56 Waitlisted for the MMIPart 4: Reapplying to PA School• 55:57 Rejection from PA School: How to strengthen your application for next year• 1:00:15 Time it takes to process the initial PA school rejection• 1:04:02 Changing your PA school app when re-applying• 1:06:03 Parting words, words of advice from Hannah & MC

    1h 11m
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About

For anyone interested in the Physician Assistant (PA) profession in Canada. Especially if you are preparing to apply to PA school, a current PA student or those working alongside PAs and wanting to understand the role better. Featuring practicing PAs and current PA students, we talk about what the job actually looks like, how people get into the profession, and the realities of training and working as a PA in Canada.

Information

  • Creator
    Canadian PA
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Canadian PA
  • Show Website
    Canadian PA Podcast