37: Justin Lautenbach | From Orthopaedic Surgery PA to Aesthetic Injector

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:18:30 -0400

Justin Lautenbach is a McMaster-trained PA who has spent over a decade building a multi-specialty career that spans outpatient Orthopedics, chronic pain, and now aesthetic medicine under his own brand, Hamilton Botox.

What you'll learn:

How to move from a PA student in clinical clerkship to a licensed, practicing PA in Orthopaedic Surgery
What milestones are required to co-found and manage an outpatient medical practice
How to master ultrasound guided injections, procedures through pattern recognition and expert feedback
What the physician-directed model looks like for PAs in the business of aesthetic medicine

View full episode show notes & resources: ⁠canadianpa.ca/podcast/37⁠

Follow Justin:

Instagram: @HamiltonBotox

Visit Justin's Website: hamiltonbotox.ca

EPISODE OUTLINE

PA SCHOOL & EARLY CAREER:

00:00 Introduction: Meet Justin

04:51 Justin's First Job as an Orthopaedic Surgery PA

BUILDING A PRACTICE

09:18 ArthroBiologix: Co-Founding an Outpatient Orthopaedic Practice

16:24 Finding PA Mentorship through Networking

PROCEDURAL MEDICINE & ULTRASOUND

17:41 Building Competency in Procedural Medicine & Ultrasound-Guided Injections

28:50 Orthopaedics vs. Chronic Pain: Differences in Approach

AESTHETIC MEDICINE

34:39 From Botox for Migraines to Aesthetic Medicine

39:30 Founding Hamilton Botox: Running a PA-Led, Physician-Directed Aesthetic Business

41:06 How PAs Can Get Started in Aesthetic Medicine

43:05 Aesthetics: The Business Side of Medicine

WORK-LIFE & CAREER SUSTAINABILITY

48:26 Managing Multiple Clinical Roles without Burning Out

54:36 OrthoPA Network: Building a Community of PAs

PA ADVICE & THE FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION

56:12 Advice Justin Would Give to His New PA Grad Self

58:34 Challenges of Pioneering the PA Profession in New Provinces & Territories

FOR PA EMPLOYERS: WORKING WITH PAs

1:00:49 The Business Case for Hiring a PA

1:06:17 How to Advocate for Your Own Learning

1:08:23 Final Notes

36: Allie Penrose, Dalhousie MPAS | Pioneering the PA Path in Nova Scotia

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:16:10 -0400

Allie Penrose is a graduate of the inaugural Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) cohort at Dalhousie University and part of the first group of Physician Assistants practicing in Nova Scotia. Prior to PA school, she spent six years in specialized clinical roles at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, working in organ and tissue donation and stem cell transplantation. This experience provided direct exposure to high-acuity care, surgical environments, and longitudinal patient interaction, reinforcing her decision to pursue clinical medicine through a non-physician pathway.

Before committing to the PA profession, she evaluated multiple healthcare roles including respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, anesthesia assisting, and physiotherapy. In this episode, she outlines her approach to the Dalhousie MPAS application process, including managing a compressed timeline and preparing for the MMI with limited lead time.

She also discusses first-year workload and burnout, second-year clinical training, and the realities of entering practice in a province where the PA role is still emerging.

View full show notes, resources and transcript:
👉 canadianpa.ca/podcast/36

IN THIS EPISODE:

Part 1: Allie’s Pre-PA Journey

00:22 Meet Allie
01:28 Discovering the PA profession
04:49 Getting healthcare exposure
06:51 PA awareness in Nova Scotia

Part 2: Dalhousie PA Admissions

08:05 Dalhousie PA Admissions overview
14:44 Building strong healthcare experience
16:55 Staying organized during PA Apps
19:56 MMI interview prep
24:13 Does GPA determine competitiveness

Part 3: Inside Dalhousie PA School

25:46 Inside Dalhousie MPAS
31:09 Study strategies that worked
32:42 Clerkship as the first PA student
34:44 Can you work during PA school
35:30 Rural vs urban rotations
37:22 Licensing and first PA jobs
37:57 How PA school prepared Allie
39:16 Explaining the PA role to employers

Part 4: Advice for Future Applicants

41:44 Advice for Pre-PA students
43:33 Study tools and apps
45:25 Final thoughts

CONNECT:

Instagram

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

Canadian PA Podcast

37: Justin Lautenbach | From Orthopaedic Surgery PA to Aesthetic Injector

36: Allie Penrose, Dalhousie MPAS | Pioneering the PA Path in Nova Scotia