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From AAPA’s Leaders

Hear directly from the president and chair of AAPA’s Board of Directors, the organization’s chief executive officer, and your fellow PAs who volunteer their time and expertise in support of the profession. Be inspired by the ways in which they give back to their communities and their patients and work to raise awareness of PAs, and stay up to date on AAPA’s short- and long-term initiatives and business goals.

From Our President

From Our CEO

Our Volunteer Leaders

Orozco Jennifer headshot

Jennifer M. Orozco, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

President and Chair, Board of Directors

From Our President

  • May
    2023

    • April
      2023

      • The Countdown to AAPA 2023
        In the lead up to AAPA 2023, AAPA President Jennifer. M Orozco shares details about some of the most exciting events and offerings PAs and PA students can look forward to.

      • March
        2023

        • AAPA’s New ‘PAs Go Beyond’ Efforts
          This month, AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco has exciting updates to share on the PAs Go Beyond campaign, AAPA’s continued effort to spread the word about PAs and the high-quality, patient-centered care we provide.

        • February
          2023

          • Update on Significant Advocacy Progress
            This year, the 118th Congress and 2023 state legislative sessions have produced a flurry of activity for our profession. AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco provides an update on the progress so far.

          • January
            2023

            • Our Collective Resolution
              To open 2023, AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozo has a resolution for the PA profession: to answer the call to be stronger advocates for patients, and for every PA to stand up and take action.

            • December
              2022

              • A Defining Year for PAs
                To end the year, AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco reports on the success of PAs Go Beyond, gives an update on a critical advocacy win, and highlight’s AAPA’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

              • November
                2022

                • Gratitude As We Honor Our PA Veterans
                  AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco reflects on the PA profession’s military roots and recognizes Native American Heritage Month. She also highlights the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program final rule.

                • October
                  2022

                  • AAPA Holds it First Town Hall Meeting
                    On October 27, AAPA hosted a virtual town hall meeting featuring reports from AAPA’s President, Speaker of the House of Delegates, CEO, and Student Academy President. Click the link above to view the recording!

                  • October
                    2022

                    • Happy (Almost) PA Week!
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco spotlights the numerous ways PAs can participate in National PA Week. She also provides highlights from AAPA’s Leadership and Advocacy Summit.

                  • September
                    2022

                    • PA Week 2022: Help Us Spread the Word
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco urges PAs to use PA Week as an opportunity to amplify and extend the new PAs Go Beyond brand – to help build a movement that will create greater awareness for the profession.

                  • August
                    2022

                    • The Power of Volunteer Leadership
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco unveils “Our Volunteer Leaders,” the leadership spotlight section of aapa.org, and highlights opportunities for PAs to help advance the profession.

                  • July
                    2022

                    • Welcome to the New Leadership Year!
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco introduces the newest members of AAPA’s Board of Directors and encourages PAs to lend their voice to support critical federal legislation.

                  • June
                    2022

                  • May
                    2022

                  • April
                    2022

                    • The Countdown’s On To Indy!
                      The countdown is officially on to AAPA 2022! AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco highlights the main stage events, CME, networking opportunities, and more.

                  • March
                    2022

                    • Inspired by the PA Community
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, shares how she’s been inspired by PAs recently — from a meaningful board reunion to AAPA’s grassroots advocates around the country.

                  • February
                    2022

                  • January
                    2022

                    • PA Again a Top Job!
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, celebrates PA being named the number two healthcare job in the country. This month, she previews three priority initiatives for 2022: Partnering with Purpose, launching the new PA brand, and ongoing advocacy efforts.

                  • December
                    2021

                  • November
                    2021

                    • Honoring Veterans, Advocacy Advances, 11-Day Power Play
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, reflects upon the profession’s deep roots in military service and provides updates on key policy changes regarding reimbursement. Orozco also highlights two PAs participating in an 11-day ice hockey game to raise money for a cancer hospital.

                  • October
                    2021

                  • September
                    2021

                    • PAs on NBC, Title Change Updates, and Negative Noise
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, celebrates NBC’s coverage of frontline PA Arianna Campbell on both the “Today” show and on MSNBC. Orozco also addresses the effectiveness of behind-the-scenes work.

                  • August
                    2021

                    • Title Change and PA Brand Updates
                      AAPA President Jennifer M. Orozco, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, launches a monthly letter to members. This month, she highlights four key areas of strategic work: title change, the new PA brand, advocacy, and education.

Lisa Gables CEO 2020 headshot

Lisa M. Gables, CPA

Chief Executive Officer

From Our CEO

  • April
    2023

    • Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Learning Lab
      During this DAC Learning Laboratory, AAPA CEO Lisa Gables spoke about the importance of partnership and collaboration in developing sustainable and scalable programs for Alzheimer’s early detection.

Our Volunteer Leaders

  • September
    2022

    • PA Ben Reynolds Represents PAs at the Leadership Table
      Ben Reynolds, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, believes participation is the lifeblood of a community. But he’s more than a participant; he’s a leader, always looking for ways to improve others’ lives – whether PAs, patients, or fellow community members.

  • August
    2022

 

PAs Go Beyond News

Patient-Provider Trust is Key for Street Medicine PA Sam Halajian

PA Sam Halajian wasn’t focused on changing his life, as much as he was determined to impact the lives of others. Each week, he dedicates at least eight hours to delivering care to the growing number of people in the area experiencing homelessness.

May 31, 2023

2023 Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Has Dedicated Her Career to Opening Doors for PAs

Josanne K. Pagel, M.Div., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, EBS, is the 2023 recipient of the Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. One of the first early PAs in administration, Pagel has been a committed advocate for the profession and is well-known for advancing PA practice in her home state of Ohio.

May 19, 2023

2023 PA of the Year is Dedicated to Raising Awareness About Maternal Mental Health

Mary K. Banahan, PA-C, is the 2023 recipient of the PA of the Year Award. An educator and volunteer, Banahan is passionate about raising awareness around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and improving maternal mental health among Indigenous women.

May 19, 2023

2023 PA Student of the Year Advocates for Change

As a first-generation, non-traditional PA student at Canisius College, AAPA’s 2023 PA Student of the Year, Deepthi Krishna, is committed to advocating for her fellow students. Through her role as a student leader, she conducts outreach and provides resources for students who need support.

May 19, 2023

2023 Military Service Award Recipient Treats Service Members for Traumatic Brain Injury

Timothy J. Camasta, PA-C, DFAAPA is the 2023 recipient of the AAPA Military Service Award. A PA for 34 years, Camasta spent the last sixteen working directly with Active Duty and retired Service Members as a subject matter expert in traumatic brain injury.

May 19, 2023

2023 Diversity Award Recipient is a Change Agent Focused on Representation and Health Equity

Daytheon Sturges, PhD, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, CHES® is the 2023 recipient of the AAPA Diversity Award. Sturges is an educator and clinically practicing PA, and is in his second term as the chair of PAEA’s Diversity and Inclusion Mission Advancement Commission.

May 19, 2023

2023 Preceptor of the Year Inspires Students In and Out of the Operating Room

Allie Thompson, PA-C, is the recipient of the Preceptor of the Year Award. Thompson is a PA in acute care surgery who precepts students monthly at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and has precepted over 40 students since 2016.

May 19, 2023

2023 Publishing Award Recipient Takes a Closer Look at PA Retirement Intent

Roderick S. Hooker, PhD, MBA, PA is the recipient of the 2023 AAPA Publishing Award as the lead author of “Physician assistant/associate retirement intent: seeking the exit ramp,” using NCCPA survey data and published in BMC Health Services Research.

May 19, 2023

2023 Outstanding Student Society Serves Their Community with Pride

This year’s Outstanding Student Society is the Colorado Mesa University PA Program, whose members have advocated for modernizing Colorado PA practice laws, participate in community events, and work to further diversity, equity, and inclusion.

May 19, 2023

CO Outreach and Advocacy Award Recipient Engages Both PAs and Patients

This year’s CO Outreach and Advocacy Award recipient is the Georgia Association of PAs (GAPA), recognized for their outstanding work in 2022. GAPA developed and participated in a wide variety of projects, from a program to engage pre-PAs to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion.

May 19, 2023