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ForwardA Tick Talk - Tick Borne Diseases in PA 2026 - 2026 APP Summit
Tick-borne diseases continue to pose a growing clinical challenge in Pennsylvania, requiring timely recognition and evidence-based management to prevent serious complications. This activity reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of common and emerging tick-borne infections, with a focus on clinical decision-making, appropriate testing, and optimal use of doxycycline in diverse patient populations.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Diagnose relevant tick-borne diseases encountered in clinical practice in Pennsylvania.
- Select and order appropriate diagnostic testing based on clinical suspicion of tick-borne disease.
- Differentiate indications for varying treatment durations for common presentations of tick-borne infections in Pennsylvania and apply this knowledge when developing patient-specific treatment plans.
- Identify complications associated with inappropriate doxycycline use and implement patient and pharmacy education strategies to optimize treatment outcomes.
Presenter: Libby Emharth, MPAS, PA-C - Physician Assistant, Senior, University of Pittsburgh Division of Infectious Diseases
Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
No members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships with any companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credit. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.25 contact hour.
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
Available Credit
- 1.25 AAPA Category I CME
- 1.25 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 1.25 Attendance