|
pa week 2005
 | | | |
The week of October 6th through October 12th, 2005 is National Physician Assistant
Week. Physician assistants are a vital part of the healthcare field and are
one of the fastest growing professions. Physician assistants work alongside
doctors and other healthcare providers in order to provide the best patient
care possible for persons in need of medical treatment. Expertise in the field
ranges from primary care, to emergency medicine, and even subspecialties such
as rheumatology, pulmonology and many more. Physician assistants are educated
in the medical model, just as medical doctors are, and are recognized by the
government as excellent healthcare providers that can improve our citizens’
access to medical treatment.
This year, National Physician Assistant Week has a special meaning to all that
work and train in the field. On June 12, 2005, Dr. Eugene Stead, the founder
of the physician assistant profession passed away, leaving behind a legacy of
promoting excellent healthcare and beginning the physician assistant profession.
His initial idea was to utilize physician assistants in underserved areas where
there were shortages of doctors. His idea blossomed into the physician assistant
profession that now boasts over 60,000 physician assistants in the country and
growing. Responsibilities for physician assistants are ever increasing and the
level of care that physician assistants provide is remarkable.
Therefore, the week of October 6th through October 12th of 2005 is National Physician
Assistant Week. It is our hope that everyone is familiar with the profession
and the tremendous level of care that physician assistants can provide. Anyone
wanting to find more information about the profession is encouraged to visit
the American Academy of Physician Assistants website at www.aapa.org for insight
on the profession and ways to become a physician assistant.
|
| | | |
|
© Quinnipiac University PA Program 2007
|
