The PA Profession: Leadership, Education, and the Future of Care

The PA Profession: Leadership, Education, and the Future of Care

In this episode of Nurse to Health, we explore the current and evolving role of Physician Assistants (PAs) in modern healthcare through the perspectives of two leaders shaping the profession from different directions. Lara West of Northwell Health and Scott Gould of the Hofstra Physician Assistant Studies Program join us for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of the PA profession. Drawing from both clinical leadership and academic experience, they discuss how PAs have become an essential part of healthcare delivery across a rapidly changing medical landscape. The conversation examines the profession’s origins, expanding responsibilities, collaborative role within healthcare teams, and the growing demands placed on today’s clinicians and educators. From workforce challenges and patient access to the future of PA education and professional identity, this episode highlights how and why Physician Assistants play a vital snd expandingrole in the delivery of high-quality, team-based care.

Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Frontline Care

In this episode of Nurse to Health, we sit down with Amy J. Smith, DNP, a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner, nationally recognized leader in sexual assault care, and former Broadway performer. As a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) and Program Director at Hofstra Northwell, Dr. Smith brings frontline insight into the often hidden—and at times suppressed—realities of domestic violence and sexual assault. We discuss how abuse presents in clinical settings—frequently in subtle or overlooked ways—and what healthcare professionals need to recognize. Dr. Smith shares personal perspectives and practical approaches to trauma-informed, culturally competent care, and explains the critical role of forensic nursing in documentation, evidence collection, and patient advocacy. This episode explores the intersection of healthcare and justice, highlighting how clinicians can better support survivors while navigating complex medical and legal systems.

“Culture, Communication & Care: Healthcare Talk with Dr. Tomeka Robinson”

Join us for an insightful and timely conversation with Dr. Tomeka M. Robinson, Senior Associate Dean of Hofstra University’s Rabinowitz Honors College and Professor of Rhetoric and Public Advocacy. With deep expertise in health communication, intercultural dialogue, and developing the next generation of leaders, Dr. Robinson shares powerful perspectives on the critical role of culture and communication in healthcare. From breaking down barriers and building authentic community to using your voice with purpose and impact, this episode dives into how rhetoric shapes culture and how we can create more inclusive, equitable spaces in medicine and beyond. We explore why bold leadership paired with humble, clear dialogue matters now more than ever — whether you’re a patient navigating the system, a provider striving for better outcomes, an educator, or someone passionate about health equity. With candid stories, thought-provoking ideas, and actionable takeaways, this conversation will challenge how you think about communication in care and inspire you to lead with both courage and empathy.

The Strike, the Shift, and Beyond

In Part II of Nurse to Health, we revisit the award-winning film Late Shift (directed by Petra Volpe)—this time through the voices of the next generation of nurses. Joined by Hofstra graduate nursing students Jessica Keenan and Aaron Mandel, we reflect on the film’s raw portrayal of a single nurse navigating the realities of modern healthcare. The conversation comes on the heels of the historic 2026 New York City nursing strike—the largest in NYC history—where approximately 15,000 members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) took action across major systems including Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian. We explore what it means to enter nursing at this moment—how frontline conditions shape training, expectations, and the future of the profession, and of healthcare itself.

Late Shift with Filmmaker Petra Volpe

In this episode of Nurse to Health, we speak with acclaimed filmmaker Petra Volpe about her powerful new film Late Shift—a gripping, unflinching portrayal of a single work shift inside the modern healthcare system. Through this lens, Late Shift captures the mounting pressures faced by nurses: understaffing, moral distress, time constraints, and the quiet, relentless demand to care—no matter the cost. Volpe shares the inspiration behind the film, her commitment to authenticity, and what she hopes clinicians, patients, and policymakers take away. This conversation goes beyond cinema. It’s about the reality behind the headlines—where patient safety, professional identity, and system design collide. A must-listen for anyone invested in the future of healthcare. In other words, everyone.