News Central

This PA Week (October 6-12), leaders from across the country took time to celebrate the more than 200,000 PAs who care for patients each day. In total, 26 governors, mayors, and other officials issued PA Week proclamations, a significant increase from the number of proclamations received in 2025, formally recognizing the PA profession and its contributions to healthcare.

During PA Week, physician associates volunteered their time to participate in AAPA’s Project Access initiative, visiting middle and high schools in four major metropolitan areas. In partnership with the CARES Mentoring Movement, volunteers gave insight into the PA profession, shared their experiences, and taught basic first aid techniques that the students replicated with their classmates.

Only two years ago, in 2024, residents of rural Dillon, MT, who were diagnosed with cancer had to travel at least two hours to the city of Bozeman for treatment, a costly and time-consuming burden. But since then, PA Sarah Adsit has increased access to care for this community at the Oncology Clinic and Infusion Center at Barrett Hospital & Healthcare — the first local cancer treatment center for residents of Dillon and surrounding communities.

During PA Week, AAPA President David J. Bunnell and Student Academy President Laura Hassan visited five PA programs to hear students’ aspirations, concerns, and perspectives on the profession’s future. Their conversations revealed a generation eager to help shape the future of healthcare and the PA profession.

With the potential for November’s midterm elections to reshape Congress and state legislatures, planning for state 2027 legislative sessions and a new US Congress is especially challenging this fall.

AAPA and the PA Education Association (PAEA) continue to challenge the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) classification of PA programs under new federal student loan limits. Here’s where the case stands, what has happened so far, and what PAs and PA students should know. 

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) today announced a nationwide lineup of events and initiatives for PA Week 2026, taking place October 6-12. This year's celebration will recognize the contributions of PAs and PA students, bring the profession into communities across the country, and raise funds to help future PAs pursue their education.