The
" traditional" model of health care where PAs were employed by small
groups of physicians in primary or specialty care who owned their own practices
has radically changed. Large groups are acquiring physician practices and
previous fee for service models are rapidly being replaced by fee for value
models. While PAs still have supervising physicians, both the PA and physician
are now employees of large corporations. Patients are demanding patient-centric
as opposed to physician-centric care. Current payors are forming integrated
health care models and are partnering with larger care organizations. Hospitals
are consolidating and joining larger health systems. Non-traditional corporate
giants such as Google, Intuit, and Amazon as well as corporations with current
healthcare expertise, such as Wal-Mart and CVS are looking to increase their
market share and profit providing non-traditional healthcare delivery. These shifts in health care, as well as
consumers becoming more knowledgeable and empowered, will increase demand for
medical services provided by physician assistants in the near future.
For
over 18 years I have been a part owner and full time clinical practitioner in a
rural family medicine practice. My patients are primarily the uninsured,
underinsured and Medicaid population. Every day I am challenged with inequities
within the current health care system and work with my patients to obtain
needed medical services. I understand the frustrations that clinicians face on
a daily basis to work both within and outside the current health care system. I
understand the barriers that PAs face today while trying to care for patients.
I
have served on the NCAPA Board of Directors in many capacities. Over the past
30 years, I have been elected Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and
President of that organization as well as having served on a multitude of
committees as a member or chairman. I have also represented the NCAPA as
Alternate Delegate, Delegate and Chief Delegate to the AAPA House of
Delegates. Within the AAPA, I have
served two full terms on Board of Directors as Director at Large. I also served
as chairman of both the Mission, Vision and Core Values Task Force and the
Governance Workgroup. In addition I was on the Constituent Organization
Committee for five years and served on a Reference Committee for the AAPA House
of Delegates. All of these experiences
have prepared me with many tools to help lead the organization.
Just
as I value a team-based practice within the workplace, I also value the
team-based approach that is undertaken by AAPA member volunteers, the AAPA staff
and the Board of Directors. I value the feedback that you as members give to
this team and, as President, I am committed to using your feedback both to
strengthen the team and the organization. I understand that the organization
represents all PA members and will strive to assure that all member voices are
heard. While the days of endless resources are no longer a reality, we must
continue to work within our Strategic Plan to make sure our monetary resources,
staff resources and volunteer resources are utilized optimally. Physician
Assistants must be seen as leaders within health care teams. Each of us must
advocate for our patients and our profession daily, no matter what role we
undertake within our health care or education system.
I
stand ready to lead the AAPA as your President. I appreciate your support and
confidence in me as we lead the Academy and the profession into the future.
