In this month's episode, we explore the deeply human side of cancer care - from discovery to treatment and every raw moment in between.

Dr. Joeseph Perez, a family medicine physician in Pen Argly, PA and 2025-2026 AAMA Board of Trustees Physician Liaison, shares his firsthand experiences working with his medical assisting team and the roles they play in supporting their patients through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

We're also honored to hear the courageous story of colorectal cancer survivor Esther Hyun, who opens up about navigating the complexities of the health care system, advocating for her own diagnosis and treatment, and the medical assistants, nurses, and physicians who have shaped her journey.

Together, their stories and perspectives speak to the power of teamwork, compassion, and patient advocacy - and what it truly means to deliver whole-person care.

In this episode, we’re joined by Donald Balasa, CEO and Legal Counsel of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and Katie Gottwaldt, Director of Certification, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of medical assisting.

Together, they discuss critical workforce trends, the shrinking pipeline of accredited training programs, and how the AAMA is innovating to meet today’s healthcare demands. Learn how the CMA (AAMA) credential stands apart from other certifications—and get an inside look at the proposed CMA (AAMA), I.V. micro-credential, a powerful step toward expanding clinical competencies and elevating the role of medical assistants nationwide.

Links:

AAMA Website

Information on the CMA (AAMA) Credential

"The Present and Future of the Medical Assisting Profession" - from the July/August issue of Medical Assisting Today

Celebrating the conclusion of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, we sit down with John Kennedy, MD, president of the AMGA Foundation and chief medical officer of AMGA, and Trevor Maxwell, founder and CEO of Man Up to Cancer. Dr. Kennedy discusses his work with the NCCRT collaborative and its goal to increase colorectal cancer screening rates, and Maxwell shares his story as both a colorectal cancer patient and founder of a nationwide support group for men undergoing cancer treatment of all types.

American Medical Group Association (AMGA):
With more than 400 member health systems and medical groups, AMGA serves as a trusted network and resource for best practices and solutions to create thriving physician enterprises.

The AMGA Foundation brings together medical groups, integrated health systems, providers, industry partners, and patients to tackle the nation’s most pressing public health challenges.

Links:
Website
AMGA Foundation
CRC Screening Best Practices Learning Collaborative

Man Up to Cancer:
Man Up to Cancer is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping men avoid isolation during their cancer journeys. They offer peer-to-peer support, an annual retreat, a chemo backpack program, and local chapters—all geared toward improving the quality of life of their members and changing the way men go through cancer.

Links:
Website
Man Up to Cancer Podcast
Chemo Backpack Program

National Colorectal Cancer Round Table:
An AAMA partner, the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT), established by the ACS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1997, is a national coalition of invited individuals along with public, private, and voluntary organizations.

Links:
Website
2025 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Webcast