Session: Classic Liver Diseases

Dr. Amol Agarwal is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both

Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. He joined Iowa Digestive Disease Center in 2021. In

addition to colonoscopy for colon cancer screening, he focuses on esophageal diseases including

Barrett’s Esophagus, GERD (acid reflux), eosinophilic esophagitis and swallowing disorders of the esophagus. He also enjoys treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease and

Ulcerative Colitis).

Dr. Agarwal is originally from Clive, Iowa. He completed undergraduate studies in Georgia at Emory University and following this completed medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed Internal Medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, followed by intensive training ingastroenterology at a joint program between the University of Maryland and Mercy Medical Center, also in Baltimore.

Session: Beyond the Masters: Exploring the PA Doctorate Fontier

David Asprey currently serves as Associate Dean for Medical Education and Professional Programs at the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. In addition, he is Professor and Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Services and was appointment as the Denis R. Oliver Endowed Chair. He holds secondary appointments in the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Sciences. His academic background includes Bachelor’s degrees from Bethel University and the University of Iowa Physician Assistant Program, and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design and Technology and a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Iowa. 

He has served on the national board of the Physician Assistant Education Association including a term as President and was appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (ACTPCMD) where he served as the Vice Chair. He also served as a member of the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Governance and Financing of Graduate Medical Education. He served 9 years as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Physician Assistant Eduction. He is the recipient of several awards including the Ben Pardini Interdisciplinary Teaching Award, the Physician Assistant Education Association’s Master Faculty Award, The University of Iowa’s President and Provost Excellence in Teaching award,  and Bethel University Alumnus of the Year Award. 

Session: A-fib: A Potpourri of Presentations 

Thomas Benzoni has been in the ER arena since its early years.

Born and raised in (very rural) Upstate NY, he had his share of ER experiences. He graduated from Creighton University, Omaha, NE, earning a Med Tech degree (running hospital labs.) He went to the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1983.  More training took him to Pontiac, MI and Omaha, NE.

Life then took him to the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern KY, where he helped found KY River Medical Center, still operational. He next practiced in NY. (Fun fact: Google “cribbage choke”. OK, maybe not so fun from the family’s side.)  He then moved to Sioux City, IA. There he, with a group of early EM physicians, established a Level 2 ACS-verified Trauma Center, flew air medical, participated actively in 3 states’ rural EMS programs, helped write the trauma protocols for the State of Iowa, among other things. 

He and Dr. O’Shea, his wife (Family Med) moved/retired to Des Moines. Both failed at this endeavor and so taught for a decade at their mutual alma mater, now Des Moines University. Eventually, he retired from classroom teaching but still teaches at the bedside.  Dr. Benzoni continues the active practice of EM

Tom Benzoni has many interests, mostly outside, especially bicycling. Skiing has been left in the rear view and ice hockey is soon to follow.

Session: Beyond the Masters: Exploring the PA Doctorate Fontier

Dr. Boeve is a Professor and Dean for the College of Health Sciences at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa. With over 28 years of PA clinical experience in a variety of health care specialties and over 25 of those years in academic roles within higher education, he enjoys innovating and creating as evidenced by his entrepreneurial spirit as a seasoned leader within medical and health science education. Dr. Boeve has served as past presidents for state professional and constituent organizations, as well has dedicated several hours to leadership positions through community service locally, nationally, and internationally.  In his professional tenure, he has partnered with several individuals and groups to develop or expand graduate health programs to meet healthcare workforce

needs in multiple states, either in his full-time academic leadership roles or as a consultant. He is also committed to mentorship as faculty research chair on multiple student theses and dissertations as well as in the recruitment of junior faculty who are now directors, chairs, or deans. As a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates (DFAAPA), he has been recognized by peers, colleagues, and

students for his passionate vision and compassionate servant leadership.

Session: Injection Workshop Co-presenter

Adam C. Bjornson, ATC, PA-C is an experienced Physician Assistant with over 17 years of clinical experience in emergency medicine, urgent care, and musculoskeletal injury care. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Physician Assistant Program at Des Moines University, where he teaches and coordinates Clinical Applications courses focused on clinical reasoning, patient care, and problem-based learning.

In addition to his academic role, Adam practices with Iowa Ortho – Urgent Injury Clinic, where he has provided orthopedic-focused urgent injury care since 2025. His expertise includes acute musculoskeletal injury evaluation, fracture management, procedural care, bedside ultrasound, and injury-focused patient management.

Session: Legislative Update & 2026 Outlook

Logan brings nearly a decade of government relations experience building and maintaining bi-partisan relationships at all levels of government. Through his previous roles as a political staffer and lobbyist, Logan has developed a reputation as a trusted resource for clients, policymakers, and legislators.

After graduating from Drake University Law School, Logan joined the Iowa House Republican Caucus as a Legislative Analyst and Policy Advisor. He drafted and analyzed proposed legislation for state and local government and labor committees. He also served as the primary staffer for the Transportation Budget and the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund. This role required Logan to have a thorough understanding of the political, fiscal, and industry impacts of approximately 150 bills per session and $500 million worth of appropriations. The diverse slate of bills gave Logan expertise in the public bidding process, gaming, alcohol, occupational licensing, and financial and election laws.

Upon leaving the caucus staff, Logan served as a multi-client lobbyist and attorney at an Iowa-based boutique law firm and later at a regional law firm where he represented trade associations, non-profit organizations, municipal governments, law enforcement, a casino, and national corporations.

Session: Legislative Update & 2026 Outlook

Sydney is an attorney and lobbyist with over 10 years of public policy experience. In her various policy roles, she has developed a fundamental understanding of the legislative process and a non-partisan and bi-partisan approach to lobbying to help advance clients’ legislative agendas. 

Sydney represents client interests at the Iowa legislature and executive branch. She assists in developing their legislative agendas and is active at the Capitol during session advocating for clients, and garnering support from legislators and other entities with similar interests.

As policy is made to implement legislation, Sydney represents clients before regulatory committees and testifies as needed in state agency hearings, and board and commission meetings.

Sydney also provides clients policy analysis and has experience educating constituency groups to inform members about changes that will impact them in proposed or new legislation. 

Prior to joining Davis Brown, Sydney served as the Special Counsel and Legislative Liaison for the Iowa Judicial Branch where she represented the interests of the Iowa judiciary before the legislative and executive branches. She assisted the State Court Administrator and the Iowa Supreme Court in policy development for the state court system.  

Session: Glutamate — Beyond the Monoamine Hypothesis

Laura Cunningham is a Physician Assistant practcing in the field of psychiatry. She is the owner and one of the clinicians at Focused Life Clinic in West Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from PA school in 2015 from Des Moines University and graduated with her Doctor of Medical Science in 2025 from the University of Lynchburg. Laura is actvely involved in teaching at several of the PA schools in Iowa,serving as a PA board member and volunteering with Free Clinics of Iowa to provide free medical care to the uninsured and underinsured populatons in Iowa.

Session: Curious Cases and Clinical Conundrums in Dermatology

Katy Duffy, PA-C is a certified physician assistant with over 10 years of experience in medical,surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. She is passionate about managing inflammatory skin conditions and incorporating the latest evidence-based treatments into patient care. She recently completed the Dermatology Clinical and Integrative Essentials program through LearnSkin, which has enhanced her ability to integrate lifestyle and holistic approaches into dermatologic practice. Katy also serves as a clinical preceptor for PA students and is an active member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, where she has earned the Diplomate Fellow designation.

As an Iowa native and graduate of Des Moines University she is proud to practice in Clive and serve the greater Des Moines community. When not working or continuing education she enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids, being outdoors and binge watching reality or true crime TV.