2024 PA of the year

Des Moines, IA – The Iowa Physician Assistant Society (IPAS) is proud to announce Laura Cunningham, PA-C, as the prestigious PA of the Year award recipient. Laura's dedication to her patients, profession, and community exemplifies the highest standards of care and leadership in healthcare. She practices at Focused Life Clinic in West Des Moines, where she delivers essential psychiatric care to Iowa's rural and urban residents.

Laura, a 2015 graduate of the Des Moines University PA Program, has served in multiple medical specialties including Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Urgent Care. In 2021, Laura became the founder and CEO of Focused Life Clinic which has expanded under her leadership to 6 providers, meeting the growing need for accessible mental health services in Iowa. Additionally, she has helped multiple other practitioners start independent medical practices that help serve a variety of patient needs. Laura has consistently expanded her education and expertise which is evident by earning a Certificate of Additional Qualifications in psychiatry and currently pursuing a Doctor of Medical Science in Administrative Medicine from the University of Lynchburg.

Beyond her clinical and professional contributions, Laura has been a leading advocate for the PA profession at both the state and federal levels. As a member of the Iowa PA Society Board of Directors, she was instrumental in successfully advocating for PA independence in 2023. Iowa PA law (HF424), grants PAs equal practicing autonomy alongside their nurse practitioner colleagues and restores regulatory oversight to the PA Board. In September 2024, she represented Iowa at the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Conference, advocating for key federal reforms that enhance patient care.

In addition, Laura has generously volunteered her time and expertise at Free Clinics of Iowa and various other organizations.

Laura's dedication to lifelong learning, her extensive medical knowledge, passion for reducing healthcare inequalities and improving healthcare access make her an exemplary choice for PA of the Year. Her contributions to the PA profession not only impact her patients but also strengthen the PA profession as a whole.

IPAS congratulates Laura Cunningham on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to seeing the continued positive impact she will have on healthcare in Iowa and beyond

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About the Iowa Physician Assistant Society

The Iowa Physician Assistant Society (IPAS) is committed to advancing the PA profession and improving healthcare in Iowa by supporting professional growth, advocacy, and public awareness of the PA role. For more information, visit Iowa Physician Assistant Society Website.