Purpose
In January 2002, the Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History (SPPAHx) was incorporated exclusively for charitable, educational, research and literary purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  On July 1, 2007, the Society’s bylaws were amended to allow it to become a supporting organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants; serving as the AAPA’s historic arm much like the PA Foundation serves as its philanthropic arm.

Mission
The Society is the preeminent leader in fostering the preservation, study and presentation of the history of the physician assistant (PA) profession by creating and presenting on-line, a virtual repository of historic and current information on the PA profession.

Objectives

Assure that the history, achievements and benefits and importance to the public of the physician assistant profession are documented and made readily assessable to physician assistants, physician assistant students, historians, medical sociologists, researchers and the general public.

Develop and maintain an integrated, on-line searchable archival database that identifies the existence and location of key documents, articles, books, films, oral history audio or video tapes, and other artifacts that detail the development, evolution and benefits to the public of the physician assistant profession.

Develop and maintain a Web site presenting the virtual history and benefits to the public  of the physician assistant profession.

Maintain liaison relationships with other physician assistant, medical and historical organizations.

Support the collection, housing and preservation of media, documents, artifacts and other related materials that are not currently maintained in a suitable academic or physical environment.

Be a resource to national physician assistant organizations and educational programs, and newsletter and journal publishers.

Identify areas needing more documentation, foster studies and dialog about the physician assistant profession.