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HCAN Workforce Enhancement Scholarship Recipient Experience
Alexandria Sutton, Physician Assistant at Charles Drew Health Center, recently received a scholarship from HCAN to attend the Contraceptive and Women's Health Procedures with the National Procedures Institute in September 2025 in Austin, TX. This two-day course reviewed current and emerging contraceptive technologies. Covering subcutaneous contraceptive implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs) and their insertion and removal techniques. Education on the indications and techniques of endometrial sampling procedures and methods for fine-needle aspiration of masses. Additionally, the course covered various common diseases of the perianal region (including hemorrhoids, skin tags, anal fissures, perirectal abscess, pilonidal disease, warts, cancers, etc.) and the appropriate medical and surgical management of these conditions in the primary care office. Male sterilization was also discussed with the technique of no-scalpel vasectomy. Here's what she had to say about her experience:
Q: Overall, what was your impression of the training program?
A: The education consisted predominantly in formal education, and significantly less time than I had expected in performing the skills. The classes were incredibly informative and in depth, which I did appreciate. However, since the name of the organization is the National Procedures Institute, I had expected more hands-on learning. Nevertheless, I do think that the classes were well put together, up to date, and incredibly informative. The models for training were lackluster for the most part. Overall, I would give the whole experience a 7/10. Food was great though.
Q: How was the instructor, and what was the learning environment like?
A: I absolutely loved the instructor. He was dynamic, entertaining, and made the material engaging and interesting. He also had a lot of jokes and personal stories that he weaved into the material.
Q: Can you tell us about the logistics – the location and facilities?
A: The hotel that I stayed at is also the location of the conference. Breakfast and lunch were included every day. Breakfast was from 7:30-8. Lectures were from 8-5 with a one-hour break in the middle for lunch. There were several lectures going on at the same time on various other topics. The class size was small and only had 12 students each. I was the only PA in my class, everyone else was an MD. I would say that the mix was 75% MD’s and 25% PA/NA. After classes many of the students and instructors could be found hanging out in the lobby or at the hotel restaurant. The setup was top notch. This conference was on the smaller side of things and probably only had about 100 people in attendance.
Q: How do you plan to utilize what you learned in your practice?
A: I have already been putting my knowledge and skills into practice! I have already placed my first Nexplanon and hope to get the opportunity to place IUDs and perform vasectomies in the near future.
Q: What makes this specific training unique, and what would you tell other providers considering it?
A: I felt confident in my ability to place a Nexplanon with the use of the fake arm that was provided in the class. But I am less confident in my ability to perform vasectomies or IUD placement. But I look forward to having colleagues provide in-person training on the job. I will say that we were also educated in colposcopy, uterine biopsy, fine needle aspirations and hemorrhoid treatment and using the infrared coagulation device was very interesting. There were also a lot of instruments to try for all the different procedures as well. As a bonus, we also learned skin procedures like punch biopsy, shave biopsy, and curette and we were able to practice these skills also.
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