In honor of Autism Awareness Month, this episode of the AAMA Podcast takes a deeper look at what it truly means to support autistic patients—not only through clinical care, but through compassion, understanding, and lived experience.

We’re joined by Michele Hinman, CMA (AAMA), whose career spans behavioral health, pediatrics, and medication prior authorizations. Beyond her clinical expertise, Hinman offers a powerful dual perspective as both a medical assistant and a parent of an autistic child.

Together, we explore how medical assistants can better connect with autistic patients and their families, the importance of empathy in care delivery, and the lessons learned when professional knowledge meets personal experience.

Expand your knowledge in recognition of Autism Awareness Month with a special offer in the AAMA e-Learning Center. The CEU self-study course "Autism: Considerations for Health Care Professionals" is available at a discounted rate for the month of April—designed specifically to strengthen your understanding of autism, enhance patient interactions, and support your continued professional growth.

Colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful tools in preventing cancer and improving patient outcomes—yet gaps in awareness and follow-through remain. In this episode, we take a closer look at why colorectal cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and how early detection through routine screening can make all the difference.

Medical assistants play a vital role in this effort. As a consistent point of contact for patients, they are uniquely positioned to influence screening conversations, provide education, and support patients through the screening process—from intake to follow-up care. This episode highlights the critical ways medical assistants help close screening gaps and contribute to better population health outcomes.

Joining us is Durado Brooks, MD, MPH, associate chief medical officer for screening at Exact Sciences. With decades of experience in cancer prevention and early detection—including more than 20 years leading national screening initiatives at the American Cancer Society—Dr. Brooks shares expert insights on increasing screening rates, addressing disparities, and empowering health care teams to save lives through proactive care.

Tune in to learn how you, as a medical assistant, can make a meaningful impact in the fight against colorectal cancer.

In honor of Phlebotomists Recognition Week, this episode highlights the vital role of phlebotomy in accurate diagnosis, patient safety, and quality care—and the critical role medical assistants play in performing this essential skill.

We’re joined by Peta-Gaye Hall, CCMA, who brings more than 10 years of experience working across multiple specialties, including internal medicine, oncology, and rheumatology, as well as in laboratory settings. Hall shares real-world insight into how phlebotomy looks across different health care environments, offers practical tips for building confidence and technique, and discusses the importance of patient connection—especially when working with anxious or needle-averse patients.

In recognition of Phlebotomists Recognition Week, the AAMA CEU self-study course “Phlebotomy: Drawing from the Basics” is available at 30% off throughout the month of February for AAMA members (discount automatically applied). Designed specifically for medical assistants, this course reinforces foundational phlebotomy knowledge, sharpens your technique, and allows participants to earn valuable CEUs while supporting professional growth.

In recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we’re joined by Ken Henry, CEO of Kentagious Kollective and co-founder and vice chair of the Coming Home Foundation, to discuss the critical role education and awareness play in addressing human trafficking. Henry shares insight from his work in survivor empowerment, coalition-building, and advocacy and explores how medical assistants can help identify warning signs and support trauma-informed, survivor-centered care.

Preorder the new course today! The AAMA is releasing a new 10 ACG CEU course, "Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking: The Medical Assistant’s Role." Designed specifically for medical assistants, the course provides role-appropriate, trauma-informed guidance for recognizing warning signs and responding appropriately in health care settings. In recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the course is available for preorder now at a discounted rate during January for AAMA members.

In this episode of the AAMA Podcast, Felicia Eldridge, AAMA social media and marketing manager, breaks down the 2025–2026 cold and flu season forecast and what it means for medical assistants on the front lines.

You’ll hear an overview of public health predictions, key updates on the seasonal flu vaccine, and the symptom patterns medical assistants are likely to encounter as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 continue to circulate. This episode also highlights the critical role medical assistants play in patient screening, vaccination support, infection control, and clinic workflow during peak respiratory season.

Whether you’re preparing for increased patient volume or looking for ways to protect your own health and well-being, this episode offers practical insight to help you stay informed, prepared, and confident throughout the season.

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