Great things are happening at NCCPA! Visit this page often for our latest updates and developments.

REPRESENT! NCCPA Summit® 2024 Underscores Urgent Need for Diversity in PA Profession

• The biennial REPRESENT! NCCPA Summit 2024, “When They See Us,” was held on Sept. 16-17 in Atlanta, providing an opportunity for more than 170 attendees to connect and exchange ideas on boosting diversity, equity and inclusion within the PA profession.

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NCCPA Announces New Geriatric Medicine CAQ

• The NCCPA Board of Directors recently considered a proposal from the Geriatric Medicine PA Association and subsequently approved the development of a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Geriatric Medicine.

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Exam Security Highlighted in New Video

• A new NCCPA informational video reiterates the importance of maintaining rigorous exam security measures.

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Comparative analysis of Physician Assistant/Associate National Certifying Examination (PANCE) performance trends: pre and during COVID-19 era

• Comparative analysis of Physician Assistant/Associate National Certifying Examination (PANCE) performance trends: pre and during COVID-19 era

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PAHx in D.C., Plus, PA Banners for Your Next Event

• Join PAHx at the PAEA Forum in D.C.! Plus, check out our PAHx-NLM banners for your next big event!

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Meet the PA Ambassadors

• The PA Ambassador program brings together Board Certified PAs who collaborate with NCCPA to offer information, contribute ideas and promote the value of the PA profession.

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Why I Volunteer: Phil Nix, PA-C, MPAS, CAQ-EM

• Phil Nix, PA-C, MPAS, CAQ-EM, is a Board Certified PA who practices in the emergency department at South Miami Hospital. Find out why he encourages his PA colleagues to volunteer with NCCPA.

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Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Representation Among PAs Rises

• In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15), we recognize the significant contributions of Board Certified PAs from the Hispanic, Latino and Latina communities to health care.

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Certified PAs Do That! Magazine

• PAs Do That! Magazine: A magazine created to showcase and celebrate the inspiring stories of PAs making a meaningful impact.

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Celebrating 50 Years of Certification, Excellence

• As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible journey that has shaped NCCPA into what it is today.

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Study Examines Effect of PAs in Plastic Surgery

• With a shortage of surgeons and rising health care demands, a new study examines the essential role PAs practicing in plastic surgery play compared to PAs in other specialties.

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Physician Assistants in Plastic Surgery

• Physician assistants (PAs) play a vital role in the US health care system, particularly amid the persistent surgeon shortage and escalating health care demands.

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Providing care in under resourced areas: contribution of the physician assistant/associate workforce

• Prior studies suggest that physician assistants/associates (PAs) are more likely than physicians to work in underresourced areas.

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Why I Volunteer: Patrick Coty, PA-C, MS

• Patrick Coty, PA-C, MS, is a Board Certified PA with 24 years of experience, who currently practices as a Senior PA in kidney and pancreas transplant care

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Meet the PA Ambassadors

• Meet Ashley Drapeau, PA-C, L.Ac., MPAS, MAC, and Olatunde "Tunde" Oshikoya, DMSc-S, MPAS, PA-C, two NCCPA PA Ambassadors who champion our profession. Each month, we will continue to highlight new PA Ambassadors.

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Two PA Friends, Two Test-Taking Styles

• PANRE v PANRE-LA: Ashley Nordan, MHPE, MSCR, MPAP, PA-C, and Jamie Harding, MPAP, PA-C, have been best friends since their days as students at Campbell University’s PA Program, class of 2013. Two PA Friends, Two Test-Taking Styles

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PAs Report High Engagement with Mental Health Patients

• PAs play an important role in addressing the nation’s mental health crisis, according to the latest NCCPA specialty report.

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Deadline Approaching: Join the PA History Society Board

• Apply to join the PA History Society Board of Trustees in 2025!

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Why I Volunteer: Christine Fuller, MHS, PA-C

• Check out our "Why I Volunteer" series and hear from Christine Fuller, MHS, PA-C on why she volunteers with NCCPA.

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Meet the PA Ambassadors

• The PA Ambassador Program brings together Board Certified PAs who collaborate with NCCPA to offer information, contribute ideas and promote the value of the PA profession.

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Three PA Students Awarded NCCPA Endowed Scholarships

• The PA Foundation recognized three 2024 NCCPA Endowed Scholarship recipients for their dedication to the profession and commitment to health-related community service. This year’s recipients are Thi Tran from the University of Nevada, Reno; Ginikachukwu Mgbenka from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Alexis Newton from the USC Keck School of Medicine.

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PA Offers Strategies for Dealing with Racist Patients and Bias in Health Care

• Health care professionals often face challenging situations, including dealing with racism and discrimination from their patients.

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PAs Practicing in Psychiatry on the Rise, Filling Critical Gap

• The percentage of PAs working in psychiatry has nearly doubled from 1.1% (630) in 2013 to 2% (2,262) in 2021, newly published research in the BMC Human Resources for Health journal shows.

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The Influence of Patient Care, Shadowing, and Volunteer Experience on Diverse Applicant Matriculation Into PA Programs

• To better understand factors contributing to low matriculation rates for health professions students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine (URiM), this study examined the influence of healthcare-related preadmission experiences on physician assistant/associate (PA) program matriculation.

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PAs’ perspective on leadership in medicine

• This study evaluated physician associate/assistant (PA) training and confidence in leadership and leadership skills, as well as where best to incorporate leadership training for the profession.

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Why I Volunteer: Russell Brandwein, MS, PA-C, AACC

• Russell Brandwein, MS, PA-C, AACC, has embarked on a fulfilling career in cardiology and interventional cardiology. We asked Brandwein to share a bit about himself and his volunteering experience with PANRE/PANRE-LA.

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Meet Two PA Ambassadors

• Meet Aaron P. Henry, MSHS, PA-C, and Janet Rippel, MSPAS, PA-C, two NCCPA PA Ambassadors who champion our profession. Each month, we will highlight new PA Ambassadors.

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PA Spotlight PA Embodies Pride and Professionalism

• Each year, Pride Month shines a light on the vibrant spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences. We turn our spotlight on Rea Whitman, MPAS, PA-C, RRT, a 42-year-old Filipina immigrant, LGBTQ+ advocate, and disabled Army veteran.

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PA-C Career Center: Connecting Talent

• Whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced Board Certified PA in your professional journey, NCCPA provides an online hub that may open doors to numerous career opportunities through its PA-C Career Center.

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NCCPA Empowers PAs at AAPA 2024

• NCCPA was a proud sponsor of AAPA 2024 in Houston, where about 5,000 Board Certified PAs, PA students, pre-PAs, speakers and exhibitors came together.

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PAs at REPRESENT! NCCPA Summit® To Advance Diversity

• The REPRESENT! NCCPA Summit aims to equip attendees with best practices to develop and sustain DEI efforts within PA organizations and workplaces, promote inclusivity within PA educational and professional communities and diversify the PA workforce to address health equity gaps.

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Top 3 Lifestyle Changes to Lower High Blood Pressure

• Maddison Heyn, PA-C, DipACLM, offers insight into her top three lifestyle changes that can help lower high blood pressure.

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Advantage to PAs in Pay Negotiations: Medscape Physician Assistant Compensation Report 2024

• A Medscape survey found that physicians assistants (PAs) enjoyed a good year on the salary front in 2023. Marketplace factors seem to tilt in favor of Pas who are searching for a first job or considering a new employer.

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Why I Volunteer: Mark Aksamit, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

• Meet Mark Aksamit, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, a Board Certified PA specializing in psychiatry. He also serves as an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is actively volunteering with NCCPA.

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Prevention Strategies to Avoid PA Burnout

• Jessica Spissinger, LICSW, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry delves into the hidden toll burnout takes on the well-being of PAs.

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231+ Black healthcare leaders to know | 2024

• Becker's is thrilled to honor these Black healthcare leaders. The leaders featured on this list are shaping the patient experience, educating and training the next generation of healthcare providers, and furthering equity and inclusion.

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PA Advocates for Expansion of Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care Specialty

• Ryan Baldeo, MPAS, MSPC, PA-C, FAAHPM is dedicated to improving access to quality serious illness and end-of-life care

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New CAQ in OBGYN Now Available

• Board Certified PAs practicing in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) can now earn a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) to document their expertise in this specialty.

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Life Outside the Clinic: Predictors of PA Work-Life Balance

• Before starting her presentation on factors affecting physician associate's (PA's) work-life balance at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) 2024 Conference & Expo in Houston, Mirela Bruza-Augatis, PhD, MS, PA-C, a researcher at the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), took a moment to play "Get Back Up Again," a song from the popular children's movie Trolls.

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Physician assistant work-life balance in 13 numbers

• More than 28% of physician assistants reported being dissatisfied with their work-life balance, Medscape reported May 24. The findings come from a survey of nearly 86,000 physician assistants and quantitative data from 2023 National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

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PA Workforce Growing, But Diversity Lags

• While the PA profession is rapidly growing, a new study in the Journal of Medical Regulation, published by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), suggests that efforts to increase diversity within the field haven't kept pace with this overall expansion.

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NCCPA Data-Driven Insights Show Vital Role of PAs

• A new report by NCCPA sheds light on the continued growth of the PA profession and its effect on patient care.

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‘Every PA is a Psych PA’: Apply for Funding to Address Mental Health

• May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but Board Certified PAs and PA students promote mental health year-round. The nccPA Health Foundation supports your grassroots mental health outreach with its $2,500 grant.

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PAHx Session at AAPA Offers Guide to Saving PA Artifacts

• The Society is excited to offer our first small group interactive CME session during the AAPA Conference in Houston. “Become a PA Historian: Preserving PA History” will be held on Tuesday, May 21 at 2 p.m. (CT). This session is free, but space is limited, so you are required to RSVP on the AAPA conference website/app.

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10 states with most physician assistants

• The number of board certified physician assistants/associates grew 87% over 10 years, from 95,583 at the end of 2013 to 178,708 by the end of 2023.

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Why I Volunteer: Ticco Robinson, MS, PA-C

• Ticco Robinson, MS, PA-C, is a Board Certified PA who works at Tufts Medical Center Willliam B. Schwartz Division of Nephrology.

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How Can PAs Embrace the Lifestyle Medicine Specialty

• As a Board Certified PA specializing in cardiology, Brad Biskup’s, PA-C, FACLM, DipACLM, MHS, MA, background in exercise physiology and nutrition has naturally merged with the principles of lifestyle medicine.

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PA Hospitalist Strikes Balance With Running

• For those aspiring to blend their passion for health care with their athletic pursuits, Board Certified PA and marathoner Gabriella Rooker, MPAS, PA-C, offers insights rooted in her own experiences.

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Inspiring Teens Into Health Careers

• Stony Brook University’s PA Program members launched an initiative to inspire future health leaders as well as promote awareness and diversity in the PA profession.

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PA Licensure Compact Gains Momentum, Streamlining Multi-State Practice

• An initiative to simplify the process for Board Certified PAs to practice in various states continues to gain traction.

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Physician Assistant Workforce Sees Ongoing Growth, Income Rise, Report Finds

• A new report finds that the physician assistant (PA) profession continues to accelerate nationwide, with the number of certified assistants/associates in the United States growing by 28% from 2018 to 2022.

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Kathy J. Pedersen Grant to Promote Equitable Care: 2024 Call for Proposals Open

• The nccPA Health Foundation is accepting applications for the 2024 Kathy J. Pedersen Grant to Promote Equitable Care.

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PAHx Celebrates Women Who Shaped Our Future

• The National Women’s History Alliance's 2024 theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.”

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How Busy PAs Can Navigate Dietary Pitfalls

• Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, knows the challenges that her fellow PAs face in staying healthy while working in health care.

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OHSU Series Equips Future PAs to Better Serve Patients with Disabilities

• People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) face unique hurdles in accessing health care, including communication barriers, inaccessible environments and even prejudiced attitudes.

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PAs Play Vital Role in Addressing Maternal Health Crisis

• The state of maternal and infant health in the U.S. is increasingly worrisome. This can be attributed, in part, to a decline in the number of obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) physicians and midwives — despite an increase in need for their services.

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Nationwide PA Growth Boosts Health Care Delivery

• From 2018 to 2022, the number of Board Certified PAs in the U.S. grew by 28%, resulting in an increase from 40 to 50 PAs per 100,000 population during this period, according to a new report.”

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Offers CME at AAPA Conference

• The Society is excited to offer its first small group interactive CME session during the AAPA Conference in Houston: “Become a PA Historian: Preserving PA History.”

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Welcomes New Trustees

• Welcomes New Trustees

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PAHx Celebrates Black History Month

• The PA History Society invites you to discover the often untold origin story of the PA profession.

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Prioritizing Self-Care for a Healthy Heart

• In celebration of American Heart Month, we asked Sheila Hautbois, PA-C, MSPAS, MPH, CHES®, DipACLM, FACLM, a distinguished lifestyle medicine PA, to share reminders that can help keep your heart and overall health in tip-top shape:

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PA Champions Vein Harvesting Techniques

• In beautiful Central New Jersey, a few blocks from the beach, Board Certified PA Matt Petrides, PA-C, BS, BHS, together with a highly skilled team of cardiac surgeons and nurses, tirelessly works to restore the hearts of patients in the operating room of HMH Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

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Multitalented PA Bridges Medicine and Music

• In recognition of the Black History Month theme, "African Americans and the Arts," we would like to draw attention to the exceptional achievements of Christophe E. Jackson, PhD, DMA, MSPAS, PA-C.

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Study Uncovers Hurdles for Underrepresented Students in PA Program Admissions

• While different cultures make up the U.S. population, PAs and other health care professions don't often reflect this diversity

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Insider Advice for Navigating the PANRE-LA®

• As we enter the second year of PANRE-LA, we would like to share valuable test-taking advice based on information we gathered from participating PAs. With first-hand insights from those who have experienced the process, these tips aim to prepare you for success.

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NCCPA President and CEO Named 2024 Georgia Titan 100

• The President and CEO of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PA-C, ICE-CCP, FACHE, was named as a 2024 Georgia Titan 100, Titan CEO and headline sponsor Wipfli LLP announced.

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Seasoned PA Urges Preparedness for Tropical Diseases

• Gordon Eggers, PA-C, MPH, DTM (Diploma in Tropical Medicine), a seasoned veteran of tropical medicine, urges PAs to expand their horizons and sharpen their differential diagnostic skillset.

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NCCPA Volunteering, More Than Just Exams

• Calling all clinically practicing Board Certified PAs! By volunteering with NCCPA, you'll contribute to ensuring exams accurately reflect the constantly evolving medical landscape.

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John Bradford, MPAS, PA-C, Named 2024 NCCPA Board Chair

• John Bradford, MPAS, PA-C, brings extensive experience in rural and global health as he assumes the role of 2024 NCCPA Board Chair.

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PAs at Forefront of Evolving Health Care Innovation

• Depending on their specialty and organization, most PAs are uniquely positioned at the forefront of health care innovation, equipped to harness and leverage artificial intelligence (AI), as well as contribute to the realm of genomics.

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Unique Experience for PAs Combines Leadership, Patient Care

• If you’re a Board Certified PA who thrives in unpredictable environments, joining the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Medical Services (MED) – the health care branch of the foreign service – offers the opportunity for you to showcase your exceptional skills.

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PAs Address Shortages in Underserved, Rural Areas

• PAs remain steadfast in their dedication to the profession's original mission of addressing health care disparities by providing care in underserved and rural communities.

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PA Week 2023 – Another Success

• Throughout PA Week, we had the privilege of celebrating and highlighting the vital role of PAs. We hope that our efforts have helped you feel appreciated and recognized for the incredible work that you do.

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Celebrating Contributions of Hispanic/Latino and Latina PAs in Health Care

• In recognition of the recent National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrated the contributions of Hispanic/Latino and Latina physician associates/assistants, or Asociado Médicos, who have made significant strides in their field.

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Study Sheds Light on Public Opinion of PAs

• A new study sheds positive light on the public’s perception towards physician assistants/associates (PAs). The study further evaluated the public’s satisfaction about PAs as health care becomes more patient-centered and the number of PAs in the workforce continues to grow.

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NCCPA presented a research poster on PA burnout at Psych Congress 2023

• NCCPA presented a research poster on PA burnout at Psych Congress 2023 in Nashville, TN

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PAs Poised to Address Shortage of Psychiatrist

• In recent years, the number of Board Certified PAs practicing in hospital settings grew substantially.

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Number of PAs Practicing in Hospitals Grows in Last Decade

• In recent years, the number of Board Certified PAs practicing in hospital settings grew substantially.

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NCCPA App Enhanced with Pay, Donate, Receipt Features

• NCCPA App Enhanced with Pay, Donate, Receipt Features

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NCCPA recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2023

• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) has been selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Healthcare.

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PAs are growing in number: Here’s how many are in each state

• The number of board-certified physician assistants increased by 76.1 percent in the last decade.

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Silvia Garcia Murcia: From unaccompanied minor to physician assistant

• Once a refugee, the Honduras native is giving back to the Richmond community that welcomed her.

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PAs Value the Certification Process

• A study by the NCCPA published in BMC Medical Education found that most PAs agree that PA certification is important for licensure requirements, for staying up to date with medical knowledge and for providing evidence of continued competency.

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PA Profession Surges in Last Decade

• In the last decade, the PA profession has experienced an impressive 76% growth rate, and PAs interact with an estimated 10.4 million patients every week, according to the latest 2022 Statistical Profile on Board Certified PAs published by NCCPA. In 2013, there were 95,583 Board Certified PAs and by the end of 2022, the number of PAs reached 168,318.

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Cross-Orgs Work Together on DEI Initiatives

• The four national PA organizations have come together in the spirit of collaboration to form a collective known as the Cross-Orgs. This assembly is comprised of the AAPA, PAEA, NCCPA, and ARC-PA.

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PAEA Gathers Experts to Consider Entry-Level Degree

• Several speakers made the point that the Summit was never intended to resolve the question of whether a doctoral degree should be the entry-level degree for PAs or whether the master’s degree should continue as the minimum requirement.

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“Board Certification” Terminology and Title Change – PA Insights Podcast with NCCPA

• In this episode, we talk with the NCCPA President and CEO, Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PA-C, ICE-CCP, FACHE, about the "PA" title change and using the term “Board Certification” when referring to PANCE, PANRE, the PA-C credential, and NCCPA certification.

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Newly Released Data on PAs Working in Medically Underserved Areas

• The report provides data from each state on topics such as race/ethnicity, income, specialty practice areas, and settings, use of telemedicine, job satisfaction, burnout, retirement plans, and more. New to the report this year is information on PAs who practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs).

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Coming Soon: The Occupational Medicine CAQ!

• NCCPA continues its commitment of striving to meet the credentialing needs for PAs. Leaders of the Association of PAs in Occupational Medicine (APAOM) reached out to NCCPA expressing interest in a CAQ in occupational medicine, and we are pleased to announce that the NCCPA Board of Directors approved adding this specialty to the CAQ program.

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Beverly Black, MHSA, CAE, Becomes the 2023 NCCPA Board Chair

• Beverly Black, MHSA, CAE, Becomes the 2023 NCCPA Board Chair

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Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D.,PA-C, ICE-CCP, FACHE delivers Morehouse School of Medicine Winter 2022 Commencement

• Morehouse School of Medicine Winter 2022 commencement speaker address was delivered by President and CEO of NCCPA,

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NCCPA PA Ambassador Makes Emory Alumni Association’s 40 Under Forty list

• PA-C Takeia Horton, member of the NCCPA PA Ambassador program and Emory Alum, recently made Emory's 2022 40 under Forty List.

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PA-C Hayley Arceneaux makes history for space flight.

• PA-C  Hayley Arceneaux, a pediatric cancer survivor, became the youngest American to go to space last year after she spent three days in orbit on Space-X's Inspiration rocket. She is telling her story in a new book.

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NCCPA Update on Board Certification and Title Change Terminology

• Earlier this year, NCCPA’s Board of Directors examined the use of the term Board Certification when describing the certifying process PAs complete after graduating from an accredited PA program, passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination® (PANCE) and maintaining NCCPA certification. Reference to PANCE as “the boards” and NCCPA certification as “board certification” has been in use informally for decades and is routinely cited in credentialing documents.

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NCCPA “Certified PA Hero” Campaign

• In recognition of PA Week (October 6-12), NCCPA launched the “Certified PA Hero” campaign to increase awareness of Certified PAs and the quality care they provide to patients.

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NCCPA Inaugural REPRESENT! Summit – “When They See Us” Recap

• NCCPA held its first REPRESENT! Summit at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, GA, September 8-9, 2022. The Summit gathered clinically practicing PAs, PA faculty and educators, PA students and leaders of PA organizations to discuss strategies to develop and sustain Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in the PA profession, diversify the PA workforce and promote inclusivity within PA educational and workplace settings.

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The Latest in HIV Prevention – NCCPA PA Ambassador Talks PrEP Injectable Treatment

• Martha Patricia Rodriguez, PA-C did not plan to specialize in HIV. As a new mom, she was desperate to find a job with a family-friendly schedule. She searched for PA jobs that would provide the flexibility she needed, and a position in HIV care turned up from a simple online job search.

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Important Information Regarding PANRE-LA Eligible PAs

• We are pleased to inform you that you have two options available for your recertification exam requirement – the new PANRE-Longitudinal Assessment (PANRE-LA) and the traditional PANRE.

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NCCPA Announces Student Attendees for 2022 REPRESENT! Summit

• Today NCCPA named the PA students that have been selected to attend the 2022 REPRESENT! Summit in September.

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NCCPA Board of Directors Approves New CAQ in OBGYN

• The NCCPA Board of Directors is pleased to announce their approval to develop a new Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN). Leaders from the Association of PAs in OBGYN (APAOG) reached out to NCCPA to request consideration of a CAQ in this specialty area.

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Dermatology PAs: Give Your Feedback on the Dermatology CAQ Content Blueprint

• PAs currently working in Dermatology are asked to give their feedback on the Dermatology Content Blueprint for the new Dermatology CAQ Exam.

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PANRE-LA Approved For AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME Credit

• Today, NCCPA and AAPA are pleased to announce that PANRE-LA has been approved by the AAPA for Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credit.

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Dermatology and Palliative Medicine/Hospice Care CAQs Coming Soon

• Two new Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQs) will soon be available for Certified PAs. Earlier this year, the NCCPA Board of Directors recently approved the development of CAQs for dermatology and palliative medicine/hospice care (PM/HC).

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NCCPA Announces Permanent Alternative to PANRE, PANRE-LA

• Beginning in 2023, PAs will have two options for their recertification assessment. The traditional PANRE that is administered at Pearson VUE test centers will remain as one option, and NCCPA will also launch an official alternative longitudinal, take-at-home process.

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Celebrating #PAWeek 2021!

• Each year, NCCPA joins the nation in recognizing PAs’ dedication to providing high-quality, accessible health care to millions of patients across the country. As PAs continue to meet the needs of patients during the pandemic, it is especially time to for celebrate them, and to highlight the value that they bring to the American health care system.

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Got Questions? Text Us For Answers with the New NCCPA SMS Text Messaging Feature!

• Need a quick answer to your questions? Text NCCPA for answers!

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Apply Today to Join NCCPA’s PA Ambassador Program!

• Looking for additional ways to contribute to the PA profession? Join NCCPA’s PA Ambassador Program!

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Coming Soon to Your Inbox: NCCPA Practice Analysis!

• Want to have a direct impact on what’s included on the recertification exam? Here’s your chance to get involved! In early July, you will receive an email inviting you to participate in NCCPA’s practice analysis for the recertification exams.

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NCCPA.net Support for IE 11 to Discontinue on June 22

• NCCPA would like to inform site visitors that support for Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) will be discontinued on June 22.

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AAPA HOD Affirms Physician Associate as Official Title for PA Profession

• On May 24, 2021 the American Academy of PAs House of Delegates passed a resolution affirming “physician associate” as the official title for the PA profession by a majority vote of 198 to 68.

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NCCPA Named Best Place to Work in Health Care for Third Consecutive Year

• Earlier this month NCCPA received word that for the third time it had been named to the publication’s annual list of the “Best Places to Work in Healthcare.”

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Join the nccPA Health Foundation for a Kathy J. Pedersen Grant Virtual Q&A

• The nccPA Health Foundation would like to invite you to join them for a virtual Q&A session on their $5,000 Kathy J. Pedersen Grant to Promote Equitable Care!

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Update on Alternative to PANRE Pilot

• With the recent completion and scoring of the Alternative to PANRE Pilot, routine end-of-year logging activities and added quality assurance steps,  record processing is taking a little longer than usual.

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PA Week is Here!

• Each year, NCCPA joins the nation in recognizing Certified PAs’ dedication to providing high-quality, accessible health care to millions of patients across the country.

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Apply Today to Join NCCPA’s PA Ambassador Program!

• Looking for additional ways to contribute to the PA profession? Join NCCPA's PA Ambassador Program!

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NCCPA to Release Additional Portal Security Enhancements to Protect Your Data

• One year after the release of its two-factor (2FA) authentication feature, NCCPA proactively continues efforts to enhance the security of its PA, state board and file manager portals.

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PA Resilience During the Pandemic: Take the NCCPA COVID-19 Survey

• At the start of the new year, few could have predicted the events that would unfold over the past seven months.

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NCCPA Debuts Updated PAsDoThat Website

• Certified PAs practice medicine in every specialty and every setting across the United States.

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NCCPA Named One of the “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” for Second Year

• Each year Modern Healthcare identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the health care industry on a national level.

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NCCPA Statement on Recent Acts of Violence

• Like so many across the United States, NCCPA is dismayed by the recent acts of violence and the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

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A Message from NCCPA’s President and CEO Regarding the Reopening of Test Centers

• We are pleased to announce that test delivery is now available for essential medical service providers, such as the PAs, at a subset of Pearson VUE test centers across the United States.

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A Note from the NCCPA President and CEO, Dawn Morton-Rias, on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• The NCCPA staff and I continue to monitor developments surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

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For media inquiries contact:

The NCCPA Communications Team
Phone: +1 678.417.8100
Email: [email protected]

For media inquiries contact:

The NCCPA Communications Team
Phone: +1 678.417.8100
Email: [email protected]

MEAPA (Maine)

October 2nd - October 4th

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NAMSS

September 29 - October 2, 2024

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Dominican University of California

September 20, 2024

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LAS (AAPA’s Leadership Advocacy Summit)

LAS (AAPA's Leadership Advocacy Summit)

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PAOS (PAs in Orthopaedic Surgery)

PAOS (PAs in Orthopaedic Surgery)

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APAO (Association of PAs in Oncology)

APAO (Association of PAs in Oncology)

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SAPA (Society of Army PAs)

SAPA (Society of Army PAs)

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SUNY Downstate University

SUNY Downstate University

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Pacific University

Pacific University

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Augsburg University

Augsburg University

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APAOG (Association of PAs in Obstetrics and Gynecology)

APAOG (Association of PAs in Obstetrics and Gynecology)

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University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina

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Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene University

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A.T. Still University Central Coast (CA)

A.T. Still University Central Coast (CA)

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Charles R Drew University

Charles R Drew University

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Westfield State University

Westfield State University

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Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University

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Delaware Valley University

Delaware Valley University

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Lawrence Technological University

June 26, 2024

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Wichita State University

June 14, 2024

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AHCJ (Assoc. of Health Care Journalists)

June 7-9, 2024

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SUNY Upstate Medical University

May 31, 2024

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AAPA Conference 2024

May 18-22, 2024

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Florida State University

May 15, 2024

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University of Wisconsin – Madison

May 7, 2024

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Pfeiffer University (NC)

May 6, 2024

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NCCPA BOARD MEETING

May 3-4, 2024

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Rocky Mountain College

April 30, 2024

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CSUMB (Cal State University – Monterey Bay)

April 24, 2024

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Mayo Clinic of Health Sciences

April 19, 2024

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East Carolina University

April 19, 2024

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University of Pittsburgh

April 19, 2024

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FSMB (Federation of State Medical Boards)

April 18-20, 2024

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RGVPAS (Rio Grande Valley PA Society)

April 11-13, 2024

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DeSales University

April 11, 2024

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University of South Carolina

April 10, 2024

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University of St. Joseph

April 9, 2024

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West Chester University

March 29, 2024

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Rosalind Franklin University

March 28, 2024

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Concordia University Wisconsin

March 28, 2024

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ConnAPA (Connecticut)

March 24, 2024

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Northeastern University

March 22, 2024

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APANP (Association of Physician Associates & Nurse Practitioners)

March 22, 2024

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Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale Campus)

March 20, 2024

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Mount St. Joseph University

March 15, 2024

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Duquesne University

March 15, 2024

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Miami (OH) University

March 14, 2024

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UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)

March 8, 2024

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HBCU Pre-PA Fair

February 24, 2024

PA Moms Conference

February 22-25, 2024

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Findlay University

February 7, 2024

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Touro University – California

February 5, 2024

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Univ of Southern California (USC)

January 29, 2024

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UNTHSC (Univ of North Texas Health Science Center)

January 26, 2024

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Carroll University

January 12, 2024

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Campbell University

January 5, 2024

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South University – Richmond, VA

December 15, 2023

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PSPA Student Track

December 2, 2023

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Lincoln Memorial University

December 1, 2023

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PSPA (Pennsylvania)

November 30, 2023

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Sacred Heart University

September 29, 2023

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Milligan University

November 21, 2023

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Point Loma University

November 17, 2023

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Stanford University

November 17, 2023

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Kean University with St. Elizabeth’s University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Monmouth University

November 17, 2023

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Kansas State University

November 6, 2023

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MAPA (Massachusetts)

October 28, 2023

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Yeshiva University

October 25, 2023

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Barry University

October 23, 2023

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South College – ATL Campus

October 19, 2023

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Southern California Univ of Health Sciences

October 13, 2023

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CAPA Con (California)

October 8, 2023

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SCAPA (South Carolina)

October 7, 2023

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Chapman University

October 6, 2023

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Drexel University

October 6, 2023

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SPAP (Pediatric PAs)

October 6, 2023

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Surgical Institute at Geisinger

September 29, 2023

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Samford University

September 29, 2023

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UAB (Univ of Alabama @ Birmingham)

September 28, 2023

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LAPA (Louisiana)

September 27, 2023

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Emory University

September 21, 2023

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MdAPA (Maryland)

September 20, 2023

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SDAPA (South Dakota)

September 14, 2023

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PSYCH CONGRESS

September 6-10, 2023

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Dayton University

August 30, 2023

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Society of Army PAs

August 22, 2023

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Methodist University

August 4, 2023

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High Point University

August 3, 2023

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University of North Carolina

August 2, 2023

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SDPA Summer Conference 2023

June 21-24, 2023

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UMKC (Univ of Missouri – Kansas City)

April 28 ,2023

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St. Joseph’s University

April 12 ,2023

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Connecticut (ConnAPA)

March  28 ,2023

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Association of Family Practice PAs and NPs (AFPPANP)

March 24-26, 2023

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AHCJ (Association Health Care Journalist)

March 9-12, 2023

Touro Univ – California

February 8 ,2023

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Western University

January 30, 2023

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Univ of Southern California (USC)

January 30, 2023

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OHSU (Oregon Health & Science Univ)

January 18, 2023

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Vermont (PAAV)

January 16-19, 2023

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Carroll University

January 13, 2023

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Rio Grande Valley PA Society

March 31 ,2023

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Topics in the Tropics (Veterans Caucus of AAPA)

December 7-10, 2022

South University – Richmond, VA

December 14-15, 2022

IPAP

December 9, 2022

UNTHSC (University of North Texas Health Science Center)

November 18, 2022

SDPA

November 17. 2022

NCAPA (North Carolina)

November 15, 2022

Bexar County Texas Regional PA Association

November 11, 2022

WAPA (Wisconsin)

October 26, 2022

SDPA

October 16-19. 2022

South College (Atlanta)

October 19, 2022

AASPA

October 14, 2022

AKAPA (Alaska)

October 6, 2022

PAEA Education Forum

October 1, 2022

AAPA Leadership & Advocacy Summit (LAS)

September 29 – October 1, 2022

Marquette University

September 30, 2022

TAPA

September 23, 2022

Emory University

September 22, 2022

MdAPA (Maryland)

September 14-17, 2022

NAMSS

September 11-14, 2022

NCCPA REPRESENT! Summit

September 8-9, 2022

OSPA (Oregon)

September 8-11, 2022

AAPA

May 20-25, 2022

Federation of State Medical Boards

April 28-30, 2022

Society of Army PAs

April 24-29, 2022

APACVS

April 21-24, 2022

Utah Academy of PAs

April 8, 2022

Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants Spring Fling

April 8-9, 2022

Society of Emergency Medicine PAs (SEMPA)

April 4-8, 2022

Butler University

April 1, 2022

University of Missouri Kansas City

March 25, 2022

Association of Family Practice PAs and NPs

March 24-27, 2022

Louisiana Academy of PAs

March 16-18, 2022

Colorado Academy of PAs

March 4-6, 2022

Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants

March 3-5, 2022

University of Southern California

January 31,  2022

Vermont Academy of PAs

January 22, 2022

National Credentialing Forum

January 3-4, 2022

For media inquiries contact:

The NCCPA Communications Team
Phone: +1 678.417.8100
Email: [email protected]

NCCPA Announces 2024 PA Week Theme: ‘We Make a Difference’

• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is celebrating National Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) Week by recognizing the role PAs play in health care and unveiling its 2024 theme, “We Make a Difference.”

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PAs Report High Engagement with Mental Health Patients

• PAs play an important role in addressing the nation’s mental health crisis, according to the latest specialty report from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

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NCCPA Seeks a Physician and Public Member to Join Board

• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) seeks a physician director-at-large and a public director-at-large to join its Board of Directors beginning in 2025.

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NCCPA Data-Driven Insights Show Vital Role of PAs

• New research by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the certifying body for Physician Assistants/Associates (PAs), sheds light on the continued growth of this profession and its effect on patient care.

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Activation of PA Licensure Compact to Improve Access to Patient Care

• The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), and National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) announce that a licensure compact for physician assistants (PAs) was activated by the recent signing of legislation in Virginia.

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Nationwide PA Growth Boosts Health Care Delivery

• The latest report released by the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA), titled “2022 Statistical Profile of Board Certified PAs by State,” highlights the significant growth in the PA profession and its impact in the delivery of health care throughout the U.S.

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Newly Certified PAs Find More Jobs, Higher Salaries

• Newly Board Certified physician assistants/associates (PAs) are successfully landing their first job sooner than in the past – and earning higher salaries – compared to previous years, according to a report by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

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NCCPA Certifies 200,000th PA

• The National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) has announced the certification of the 200,000th physician assistant/associate (PA) in the nation since the organization’s inception nearly 50 years ago.

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PAs Have Flexibility to Change Specialties

• PAs Have Flexibility to Change Specialties

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ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION NAMES NCCPA A WINNER OF THE METRO ATLANTA TOP WORKPLACES 2023 AWARD

• NCCPA has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top Workplaces.

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Update on PAs Practicing in Dermatology

• The dermatology workforce includes physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician associates/assistants (PAs). The number of dermatologists is growing slowly while the growth of PAs working in dermatology is rapid and accelerating.

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Newly Released Data on PAs Working in Medically Underserved Areas

• The report provides data from each state on topics such as race/ethnicity, income, specialty practice areas, and settings, use of telemedicine, job satisfaction, burnout, retirement plans, and more.

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Job Satisfaction Remains High Among Certified PAs Despite Continuing COVID-19 Pandemic

• The latest data from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) reports that job satisfaction remains high among Certified PAs, even after two years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Record Number of PAs Earned Initial Certification in 2021

• 10,950 PAs earned their initial certification in 2021 alone, marking the greatest number of newly Certified PAs according to NCCPA's 2021 Statistical Profile of Certified PAs.

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Newly Released Data on Certified PAs Working in Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care Demonstrate Their Significant Contributions to Patient Care

• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), in collaboration with the Society of Emergency Medicine PAs (SEMPA) have published the PAs Practicing in Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care: 2021 Survey Results. Over 16,000 Certified PAs practice in Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care, and this report comprises the most comprehensive source of nationwide data on PAs working in these practice areas. 

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Dr. Uché Blackstock to Deliver Keynote Address at NCCPA Represent Summit

• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) announced today that renowned physician and health equity advocate, Dr. Uché Blackstock, will deliver the keynote address during its inaugural Represent! Summit in September.

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NCCPA President and CEO Joins Over 2,000 CEOs to Make Unprecedented Commitment to Advance Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace

• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) announced today that its President and CEO Dawn Morton-Rias Ed.D, PA-C has signed onto the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

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New Report Highlights Low Burnout, Job Satisfaction Among Certified PAs by Specialty

• According to the 2020 Statistical Profile of Certified PAs by Specialty, an annual report on 25 specialties issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), 73.4% of Certified PAs indicated that they have no symptoms of burnout.

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Certified PAs Persevere Despite Pandemic Uncertainty

• Despite the uncertainty of the global pandemic, in 2020 Certified PAs largely maintained their current patient loads and helped increase access to care.

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NCCPA Launches Certified PArtners in Care Campaign to Showcase Invaluable Impact of Certified PAs

• Today the NCCPA announced the launch of the Certified PArtners in Care campaign to highlight the invaluable role that Certified PAs play to support patients, clinical teams and public health in their communities.

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New Report Highlights Certified PA Practice Patterns During COVID-19 Pandemic

• 96% of physician assistants (PAs) were employed in a clinical position eight to nine months after the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Number of Certified PAs Expanded in Every State Prior to Onset of COVID-19

• Just before the need for qualified medical providers expanded due to the onset of COVID-19, the Certified Physician Assistant workforce increased in every U.S. state.

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New Report Gives Glimpse Into Certified Physician Assistants in Medical Specialties Before COVID-19 Pandemic

• Just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the Certified Physician Assistant workforce continued to grow.

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2019 Cohort of Newly Certified Physician Assistants is the Largest Cohort Yet, Breaking 2018 Record

• The number of newly Certified Physician Assistants (PAs) reached new heights in 2019, with more than 70% receiving multiple job offers before entering the workforce.

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As the Nation Grapples with COVID-19, More Physician Assistants are Poised to Join the Fight

• As the nation continues to battle COVID-19, a new report published by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) indicates that there is good news to share-- more Certified PAs are available to join the fight.

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PA Profession Continues to Gain Nationwide Momentum as Workforce Numbers and Salaries Increase

• For the fifth consecutive year, the number of Certified Physician Assistants in the United States continues to increase.

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For media inquiries contact:

The NCCPA Communications Team
Phone: +1 678.417.8100
Email: [email protected]

PA Insights With NCCPA Podcasts

The PA Insights with NCCPA podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify wherever you enjoy podcasts.
Our latest episodes can be found below, but we encourage you to subscribe directly via your favorite podcast platform to ensure that you don’t miss an episode.

PAs and Mental Health

• Tune in to this episode of PA Insights where we talk with Rashadah Jordan DMSC, PA-C, CAQ Psychiatry, about why it's so important for you as medical providers to be aware of your mental health and what you can do to keep your mental health in tip-top shape!

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Update on PANRE-LA – PA Insights with NCCPA

• In this episode, we talk about PANRE-LA: how it's going so far, questions we've received from PAs, and some really interesting data on how PAs are interacting with this new recertification exam option!

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A PA’s Working in Correctional Medicine – PA Insights with NCCPA

• Cynthia Pokluda, MMS, PA-C, practices in correctional medicine, meaning she provides medical care for adults in custody. In this podcast episode, she shares what drew her to practice in correctional medicine, some of the challenges and rewards to working in this specialty, what a typical day looks like, and more!

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A PA’s Perspective: Behind the Scenes of Exam Development – PA Insights with NCCPA

• Did you know that every single question on every single NCCPA exam is created by clinically practicing Board Certified PAs? That’s right – every year, hundreds of PAs develop and edit the items you see on PANCE, PANRE, PANRE-LA, and the CAQ exams.

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PA-Psychiatrist Team Talks Mental Health – PA Insights with NCCPA

• PA-psychiatrist team Pete Carmany, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry, and Terri Langford, MD, practice psychiatry in rural Lovington, New Mexico. They share what makes their partnership so successful and how it benefits their patients.

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Working as a PA with the U.S. State Department Bureau of Medical Services – PA Insights with NCCPA

• Two Board Certified PAs working for the U.S. State Department Bureau of Medical Services shed light on the exciting challenges they face during their duties and offer up insight into the kind of background and qualifications the state department looks for when recruiting PAs.

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PAs in Leadership Roles; Back2School Program – PA Insights with NCCPA

• In this episode of PA Insights with NCCPA: We talk with a Board Certified PA who is currently serving in a leadership role about his path to leadership, and advice for other PAs who are looking to make an impact in the PA profession and much more.

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PANRE-LA Update; PAs in Global Health; Demographic and Workforce Data and Trends – PA Insights with NCCPA – PA Insights with NCCPA

• In this episode, We dive in to PANRE-LA –  where we’ll dig into some really insightful data as to how it’s going so far and get expert answers to the questions we get the most from PAs about this recertification assessment option.

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Kathy J Pedersen Grant Recipient Stories – PA Insights with NCCPA

• In this episode, We talk with two of the recipients of the Kathy J. Pedersen Grant to Promote Equitable care (which is available through the nccPA Health Foundation) about their grant outreach projects, what the application process was like, and tips they have for future applicants.

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“Board Certification” Terminology and Title Change – PA Insights with NCCPA

• In this episode, we talk with the NCCPA President and CEO, Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PA-C, ICE-CCP, FACHE, about the “board certification” terminology, as well as the “PA” title change.

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REPRESENT! Summit / DEI Initiatives in the PA Profession

• In this episode: We talk with two of the panelists from NCCPA’s inaugural REPRESENT Summit about their experience at the summit and why increasing diversity in the PA profession is so important, PA demographic and workforce trends, and much more!

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All About PANRE-LA

• In this episode, we talk all about PANRE-LA, the new recertification assessment option available to Certified PAs. We discuss how it was developed, how the assessment will work, how it will be scored, who's eligible, and more!

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• In this episode: We have a discussion with NCCPA Senior Director of Communications Erica Banks on NCCPA's inaugural Represent Summit, which is focused on increasing diversity in the profession.

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Two New CAQs

• In this episode: Two new specialties (Dermatology; Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care) are being added to the CAQ program!

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Providing Health Care to the Homeless

• In this episode: Alisha Crabtree, a Certified PA, talks about her experience providing health care services to the homeless population.

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Avoiding Burnout and Promoting the Profession

• In this episode: How to Avoid Burnout; How NCCPA Promotes Certified PAs; New PA Workforce Data - PA Insights with NCCPA

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Back 2 School with NCCPA

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NCCPA PA Ambassadors

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5 Answers About CME Logging and the CME Auditing Process

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How Are NCCPA Exams Developed?

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PAs in Mental Health

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A Conversation with NCCPA President and CEO Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PA-C

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Preparing for PANCE

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The Disciplinary Review Process

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For media inquiries contact:

The NCCPA Communications Team
Phone: +1 678.417.8100
Email: [email protected]

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