Timeline

Aug – Sept

2021
  • The Articles of Incorporation for the American Academy of Physician Associates, Inc. becomes official with the state of North Carolina
  • The American Academy of Physician Associates, Inc. becomes official with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission
  • The business license for the City of Alexandria is updated to reflect the new corporation name
  • AAPA completes the updated filing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • AAPA and its legal counsel continue developing resources for organizations interested in changing their names to align with the profession’s title change

  • AAPA continues to work with legal counsel to proactively plan for specific challenges and/or concerns
  • AAPA continues external outreach efforts with representatives of medical organizations, government agencies, employers, payers, and medical boards
  • AAPA continues to collaborate with partner organizations PAEA, NCCPA, and ARC-PA
  • AAPA continues to work with GMMB to develop the PA branding campaign and assets

June – July

2021
  • AAPA Board of Directors meets to formally establish support for the will of the House of Delegates
  • AAPA Board of Directors meets with senior management to begin implementation of the HOD title change policy
  • AAPA begins the implementation of title change
  • AAPA informs various external stakeholders of title change
  • AAPA partners with GMMB to begin the profession’s brand development with the goal of presenting the Brand Activation Plan to the AAPA Board of Directors in October 2021
  • AAPA surveys Constituent Organizations to better understand their future plans regarding pursuit of Optimal Team Practice and title change
  • AAPA sends written notification to 19 medical organizations where AAPA has a medical liaison to address the intent of and rationale behind the title change
  • AAPA continues its work with legal counsel to proactively plan for specific challenges and/or concerns
  • AAPA initiates external outreach efforts with representatives of medical organizations, government agencies, employers, payers, and medical boards
  • AAPA conducts meetings with U.S. Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, leaders at the Veterans Health Administration, and leadership from several national healthcare organizations
  • AAPA continues its collaborative efforts with partner organizations PAEA, NCCPA, and ARC-PA

May

2021
  • AAPA HOD delegates, board members, representatives of PAEA, ARC-PA & NCCPA, and AAPA members debate and discuss proposed resolutions
  • AAPA HOD passes a resolution affirming physician associate as official title of profession
  • AAPA notifies members and nonmembers about title change

Jan – Nov

2020
  • WPP and AAPA meet with TCI Advisory Council
  • TCI final presentations delivered to AAPA House of Delegates and AAPA members
  • Identify financial implications related to title change and AAPA’s responsibilities related to the investigation

Oct – Dec

2019
  • Launch quantitative research to gain feedback on selected potential titles
  • Legal counsel identifies conflicts with potential title(s)
  • Begin advocacy stakeholder outreach

Aug – Oct

2019
  • Identify alternative titles based on the PA Brand Positioning Strategy
  • Examine alternative titles to determine any trademark, regulatory, or other conflicts
  • Identify all stakeholders, organizations, partners, etc. that would be impacted by a title change

Jul – Aug

2019
  • Complete quantitative research on PA brand
  • Develop PA Brand Positioning Strategy

May

2019
  • WPP presents an update to AAPA House of Delegates on the research that will guide and inform the best marketing strategy and title for the PA profession

Mar – Apr

2019
  • Begin quantitative research on PA perceptions
  • WPP deploys surveys to PAs and PA students and patients and follows up with employers, patients, and physicians
  • AAPA, PAEA, ARC-PA, and NCCPA meet to discuss TCI at AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit

Nov

2018

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Apr

2019
  • Qualitative research begins and focus groups convene

Oct – Nov

2018
  • WPP develops objectives, refines overall project plan, aligns key assumptions & methodologies, and develops research hypotheses
  • WPP and AAPA meets with TCI Advisory Council

Sept

2018
  • AAPA selects WPP to conduct the TCI

Aug

2018
  • AAPA submits request for proposal to search for independent agencies to conduct the TCI

July

2018
  • AAAPA Board of Directors (BOD) approves TCI project plan and funding
  • AAPA BOD appoints TCI Advisory Council

May

2018
  • AAPA House of Delegates submits a resolution to move forward with a PA Title Change Investigation (TCI)