American Academy of Physician Associates

Professional organization for physician associates in the United States

Logo of the American Academy of Physician Associates

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is a national professional society that represents physician associates (PAs) across the United States. Founded in 1968, the AAPA works to advance the PA profession through advocacy, education, and professional development.

History

The AAPA was established in 1968, shortly after the first PA program was created at Duke University in 1965. The organization was formed to provide a unified voice for the emerging profession and to support the educational and professional needs of PAs. Over the years, the AAPA has played a crucial role in advocating for the recognition and expansion of the PA role in healthcare.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the AAPA is to lead the profession and empower its members to advance their careers and enhance patient care. The organization aims to:

• Advocate for the PA profession at the national and state levels.
• Provide high-quality continuing medical education (CME) opportunities.
• Promote the integration of PAs into all areas of healthcare.
• Support research and innovation in PA practice.

Membership

The AAPA offers several categories of membership, including:

• Fellow Members: Licensed PAs who are graduates of an accredited PA program.
• Student Members: Individuals enrolled in an accredited PA program.
• Associate Members: Individuals who support the PA profession but are not eligible for fellow membership.
• Retired Members: PAs who have retired from active practice.

Advocacy and Legislation

The AAPA actively engages in advocacy efforts to promote the interests of PAs and their patients. This includes lobbying for legislative changes that enhance PA practice rights, such as prescriptive authority and scope of practice. The organization also works to ensure that PAs are recognized as essential healthcare providers in federal and state healthcare policies.

Education and Professional Development

The AAPA provides a wide range of educational resources and professional development opportunities for its members. This includes:

• Annual Conference: The AAPA hosts an annual conference that offers CME sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
• Online Learning: AAPA provides online CME courses and webinars on various medical and professional topics.
• Publications: The organization publishes the "Journal of the American Academy of Physician Associates" (JAAPA), which features clinical articles, research, and news relevant to the PA profession.

Related Organizations

The AAPA collaborates with several related organizations to further its mission, including:

• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

Related pages

• Physician associate
• Healthcare in the United States
• Medical education in the United States