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Legal Pressure to Overturn Student Loan Rule Mounts as AAPA and PAEA Prepare Challenge to Protect Future PA Workforce

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the PA Education Association (PAEA) released the following statement in response to a lawsuit announced today by 25 states and the District of Columbia challenging the Department of Education’s (ED) Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule.

May 19, 2026

AAPA 2026 Salary Report Shows PA Compensation Continues to Rise Amid Growing Demand for Care

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) released its 2026 AAPA Digital Salary Report, revealing continued growth in physician associate/assistant (PA) compensation and offering new insights into the evolving PA workforce and healthcare landscape.

May 19, 2026

AAPA Applauds 2026 Individual Excellence Award Recipients

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is recognizing ten outstanding physician associates/assistants (PAs) and PA students for their exemplary contributions to their communities, patients, and the advancement of the PA profession.

May 14, 2026

Third Annual AAPA Health Equity Report Highlights 2025 Progress

AAPA has released the third annual Health Equity Report to give AAPA members and the physician associate community a look into how AAPA worked to advance health equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in 2025.

May 14, 2026

2026 Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Advances Health Equity Through Service

Howard Straker, EdD, MPH, PA-C, is the 2026 recipient of the Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor—AAPA’s highest distinction—recognizes individuals whose work has made a lasting, far-reaching impact on the physician associate profession.

May 14, 2026

2026 PA of the Year is a Champion for Patients in Cardiology and the PA Profession

Viet Le, AAPA’s 2026 PA of the Year, has practiced in cardiology for 14 years. As a clinician, he prioritizes clear language to effectively communicate with his patients, collaborates on research projects to bring new knowledge to the bedside, and is an active advocate for the PA profession.

May 14, 2026

2026 PA Student of the Year Champions Access, Education, and Team‑Based Care

Nichole Geist is AAPA’s 2026 PA Student of the Year. A graduating physician associate student at Rutgers School of Health Professions, Geist leads multiple efforts to improve health outcomes for patients and support her fellow PA students.

May 14, 2026

2026 Military Service Award Recipient Combines Service, Clinical Impact, and Adaptability

Across combat zones, research institutions, and leadership roles, Col. Sharon L. Rosser, DSc-PA, MSS, PA-C, has dedicated her career to advancing military medicine and the physician associate profession. After almost four decades of service, she is the recipient of AAPA’s 2026 Military Service Award.

May 14, 2026

2026 Diversity Award Recipient Increases Access to the PA Profession

EDGE-PA, the recipient of AAPA’s 2026 Diversity Award, began as a pipeline program to increase the representation of African American men in the PA profession. In 2025, the program expanded to support students of all genders, races, and ethnicities who have faced significant challenges on their path to PA education.

May 14, 2026

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