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State PA group presents top honors to EVMS alum, student 

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VAPA Award winners get their plaques

Over the weekend, the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants (VAPA) presented two of its top honors to an EVMS student and an MPA program alum.

During the Nov. 5 ceremony, Olushola "Shola" Ilogho (MPA ’17) was named VAPA’S 2022 PA of the Year.  

Ms. Ilogho is a practitioner with Velocity Urgent Care in Hampton Roads and a member of the EVMS Alumni Board.  

"I'm very appreciative of this award," she says. "I couldn’t do what I do without the support of my family and my PA   mentors. This award strengthens my commitment to continue to promote the PA profession and provide mentorship for upcoming PAs."

Kim Dempsey, EdD, MPA, PA‑C, (MPA ’03), Associate Professor in the School of Health Professions and Director of the EVMS MPA program, says the recognition is deserved.

“We are thrilled that Shola received this impressive honor in recognition of her dedication to patient care and overall excellence,” says Dr. Dempsey.

During a ceremony, Braxton “Reid” Wilkinson, MPA Class of 2024, was named the 2022 VAPA Student of the Year.  

The award recognizes academic excellence and also stand-out qualities such as volunteerism, leadership and determination, says Sara Nicely Sara Nicely, DHEd, PA-C, VAPA President. 

“VAPA Board members chose Reid Wilkinson to receive the Student of the Year award based on multiple nominations that indicated his dedication to serving others, such as his continued volunteer work with Emergency Services and his willingness to help classmates understand the rigorous material covered in PA school, says Dr. Nicely, also the Chair and Program Director of the Department of PA Studies at Radford University.

Mr. Wilkinson, who was born and raised in Norfolk and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute, says he was honored to be singled out with the state-level recognition. 

“I was completely shocked,” Mr. Wilkinson says. “I consider myself really lucky to be here at EVMS. Being part of the PA program is a dream come true.” 

Mr. Wilkinson became interested in the field while observing a physician assistant.  

At the time, he was working as a certified ENT. When a patient went into cardiac arrest, the PA on the team of three calmly took the lead. Her composure and professionalism under pressure impressed Mr. Wilkinson. 

“Having that kind of quiet confidence and obvious training is something I want to bring to the table as a healthcare provider,” says Mr. Wilkinson, who continues to work part-time for the Chesapeake Fire Department. “I want to help put patients at ease.” 

Dr. Dempsey says she and the MPA team "extremely proud" of both award winners.

“It is exciting to see one of our graduates and one of our students recognized in this way by a statewide professional organization," she says.