Ohio Association of Physician Assistants

It’s Women’s Health Week! National Women’s Health Week, led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, occurs annually in May, starting on Mother’s Day. It emphasizes women’s health concerns and urges women to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This year, it runs from May 12th to May 18th, aiming to raise awareness and promote healthy lifestyles among women of all ages. Explore the link in the nccPA Health Foundation post to better understand the distinct health challenges women encounter. As a PA, reflect on how you can play a pivotal role in tackling these issues within your community. #OhioPAs #WomensHealthWeek #OhioPAstudent

Our OAPA delegates are heading to Houston for the 2024 AAPA Conference! They're proposing two resolutions to enhance equitable governance and promote PA membership at the state level. Support them as they champion Ohio PAs nationally! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g9NigwZk #OAPA #AAPA #OhioPAs

Congratulations to Natalia Rangel, Victoria Larrañaga, Sofia Angulo, and Bianca Magalhães Placucci, MSPAS, PA-C, from the CWRU Physician Assistant Program! Your nccPA Health Foundation #BeTheChange project is not only innovative but also deeply impactful. Partnering with local Latino organizations to provide health screenings, education, and information about the crucial role of PAs (Asociado Médicos) demonstrates your commitment to community health and empowerment. We are so proud that Ohio PA students and PAs were awarded this grant! #OhioPAstudent #OhioPAs

Tune in Wednesday at 9:30 AM for the Senate Health Hearing on Senate Bill 196! Go to https://ohiochannel.org/ to watch live. The Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA) is advocating for an amendment to Senate Bill 196 to include Physician Assistants (PAs) in its provisions. OAPA and its lobbyists have been in discussions with Ohio Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), Ohio State Medical Association, and Senator Roegner regarding amending PAs into this bill. Currently, the bill addresses limitations faced by APRNs in Ohio, particularly regarding the signing of certain medical forms related to patient care. With the proposed amendment, PAs would also gain the authority to sign and complete necessary paperwork to better care for our patients. This amendment also aims to streamline patient care processes and eliminate unnecessary delays caused by outdated policies and reduced administrative burdens.

On behalf of Ohio PAs, we just wanted to say a big thank you for all you do for patients. Some days/shifts maybe crazy and hectic but I know each PA can think of a time your dedication to the patient made a huge impact. We're grateful to have you as colleagues and part of the healthcare team. Thanks for everything you do! Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA) #NursesWeek2024 #OhioPAs #OhioPAstudent

For now Ohio PAs are Physician Assistants. Our national association, AAPA, has changed the title but as with everything in the state, OAPA has to make the changes happen. The use of the position of associate is standard in many occupations, from education to law. The bill has been drafted and we’re currently seeking a new sponsor. The bill consists of proposing a title change from Physician Assistant to Physician Associate. The 494 page bill aims to protect PA retirees and non-clinically practicing PAs with the title change. There is supportive testimony advocating for the change and citing alignment with current PA practices and the historical use of the title "Physician Associate." The bill doesn't alter Ohio PA practice, and the transition has legal backing from the AAPA and a directive from the national office. For now Ohio PAs remain and should identify ourselves as Physician Assistants as the state does not recognize Physician Associates. Rest assured OAPA is advocating for Ohio PAs daily and at every opportunity available. We'll keep you updated on these changes! #OhioPAs #ohiopastudent #physicianassistant #physicianassociate

OAPA is celebrating the 5 year anniversary of a major legislative win for Ohio PAs. Five years ago, Ohio PAs experienced a game-changing moment with SB259, which did away with the outdated PA Formulary. This shift, led by OAPA and its dedicated members, was a big win for our profession and patients. No longer are bound by a restrictive list of approved drugs and procedures, we can now practice more freely, providing better care to our patients. Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and advocates, we're able to prescribe as we were trained, benefiting both us and those we serve. The impact of SB259 is evident in the stories of our members. Randy Whitlock, PA-C, highlights how it allows him to practice more effectively, while Cindy Lord, PA-C, notes its role in attracting and retaining PA talent in Ohio. Andrea Sheibley, PA-C, reminds us that while this is a significant step forward, there's still work to be done to remove other barriers to our practice. But with OAPA leading the charge, we're in good hands. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we want our members to know that OAPA remains committed to advocating for Ohio PAs. We're THE voice pushing for changes that empower us to do what we do best. Make today the day you join OAPA and be part of the movement towards a better future for Ohio PAs and the patients we serve Full article here: https://lnkd.in/g24cqqJh. #OhioPAs #OhioPAstudent #Advocacy #PhysicianAssistant

Exciting news! The OAPA job board just got a lot better! Introducing the new OAPA Career Center! Your go-to hub for connecting PA talent with top-notch career opportunities! Powered by YM Careers, this cutting-edge platform boasts a sleek design and user-friendly interface to streamline your job search or hiring process. Whether you’re a PA student getting their first job, a PA seeking your next adventure or an employer looking for top-tier talent, the OAPA Career Center has you covered. Explore job listings, upload your resume anonymously, and receive personalized job alerts tailored to your preferences. Employers can post jobs, search resumes, and gain exposure through various networks. Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Visit ohiopa.careerwebsite.com now to get started! Link in the bio. #OhioPAs #OhioPAstudents #OAPACareerCenter #PAjobs #medicinecareer

Send a letter to your State Representative now and encourage them to support Senate Bill 28, the PA Licensure Compact. It takes less than 5 minutes! Just type in your name and address. This will allow Ohio to join a state to state licensure agreement. See Anu’s post below for more information.

Call for Speakers for the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference! One of the most effective ways to advance your career and showcase your expertise is by sharing your knowledge to educate others. The 2024 OAPA Annual Conference is scheduled for September 27-28 at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris. We are currently seeking speakers and welcome topics and ideas from all specialties. What does it take to be a speaker at our conference? - Expertise in one or more areas of PA practice - Dedication to educating PAs to enhance our profession and patient care - Agreement to our speaker terms, including providing slides in advance and pre-recording sessions - Confidence to present to an audience and engage in Q&A Speakers will receive a $250 honorarium in appreciation of their contribution. Submit your presentation proposal by May 15, 2024, using the link below: https://lnkd.in/gens6B48 Thank you for considering this opportunity to advance your career, contribute to the PA community, and support OAPA's mission. #OhioPAs #OhioPAstudent #OAPAConference2024 #PAEducation