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Oral Histories

Audiotapes, Videos and DVDs

The Oral History Collection contains audiotapes, videos and DVDs with corresponding transcripts produced either by the Society or by others and then gifted to the Society. Holdings from this collection have been digitized and placed in the Society’s digital archival collection using PastPerfect™ software.

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While there is no substitute for original correspondence and other primary source materials, interviews help us understand better the context in which decisions were made, offer fresh insights, and suggest directions for further research. The Society continues to identify, collect, catalog and preserve existing audio and video oral histories and is conducting additional interviews with key individuals to fill in gaps of missing information.

Featured Oral Histories

Rick Dehn 2024

Rick Dehn returns for an interview with the PA History Society. He talks on his rise to Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Academy of PAs, his proudest moments as a PA and his favorite research topics.

Gino Gianola

Gino Gianola recounts his time in the military, how he joined the MEDEX program, his work with the NIH during the start of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and how he returned to MEDEX as an instructor.

Andrea Heeter

Andrea Heeter, PA-C, MSPH, CHES, ATC, CMT, works for the Indian Health Services. She explains in her interview how she became interested in the physician assistant profession, her work with the Indian Health Service, and what she likes best about her job.

Oswald Ganley

Oswald Ganley, PhD, MPA, PA-C, became a PA at the age of 67, after having successful careers in three non-medical fields, including serving as a US Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State. Ganley practiced as a PA for 20 years before retiring in 2016 at age 87. In this oral history interview, Dr. Ganley talks about his childhood in Amsterdam, his years in college and in the military, and his journey to become a PA.

Featured Audio Interviews

Reflections on Hu Myers

Pioneering PAs William Stanhope and Glen E. Combs reminisce on Dr. Hu Myers and the early days of the Alderson-Broaddus PA program and of the PA profession itself.

George Hillegas

George Hillegas talks about his time in the Coast Guard, how he became a PA, and his experiences as a PA and a PA educator. In the interview, Patton shares what drew him to practice medicine, more specifically psychology, how he has advocated for the transgender community throughout the years, his work on the Transgender Standards of Care, and what has been the most meaningful part of his career as a PA.

Jim Kielek

Jim Kielek, CAPT, USN [RET], MPAS, PA-C joined the Navy in 1973, became a Hospital Corpsman, and graduated from his PA program in 1982. He is the only Navy PA to have attained the rank of Captain after first working his way up the enlisted ranks to Senior Chief Petty Officer, and the Warrant Officer Ranks to Chief Warrant Officer 3. He talks about what drew him to become a PA, his life as a PA in the military and as a civilian, how he inspired his son to also become a PA, and how he is a part of Navy PA history. She shares with us how she became a PA, how she became interested in working with HIV patients, her advice for volunteer opportunities, and her advice for new PAs.

Joyce Nichols

The last recorded interview with Joyce Nichols conducted in June 2012 before she passed away the following month. Joyce was interviewed in her home by John Davis and Earl Echard. During his interview, Mr. Schuman shares his experiences as an early PA, memorable moments in his practice, his work as editor of JAAPA, and his numerous awards and recognitions. He also tells about his fascinating altruistic work as a non-profit photographer and participating in animal assisted therapy programs. He ends the interview with timeless advice for those interested in the PA profession and current PA students.

Oral History Collections

PAs and The HIV/AIDS Epidemic

This oral history series highlights the role PAs and the AAPA LBGT Caucus played in healthcare during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s.

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Medic and Corpsmen

This project was originally in collaboration with the Maine Military Museum. This is a collection of interviews with PAs who began their health practitioner careers as either military medics or corpsmen.

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The PA Profession In The Netherlands

This series interviews those who helped start and shape the PA profession in the Netherlands.

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Additional Resources

Search Guide

If you need help searching our Oral Histories, visit our Search Guide.

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Additional Videos

To see more of our video Oral Histories, please visit our Vimeo account.

Voices of the PA profession

Please use the suggestion box to recommend individuals who should be interviewed about specific events in their own or our collective professional history.

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