04/30/2024

Sharing Our Strategy: On the Road to Making Ohio the Premier State for PAs

Every organization needs direction - a desired end state - and the roadmap to get there. Although OAPA’s long term vision is “Ohio is the premier state for PAs,” the work we do in the short term moves us closer to that reality.

The OAPA Board of Directors recently identified five areas of strategic focus for the next 12-18 months, which President Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, outlined at the recent OAPA Membership Meeting in Cuyahoga Falls.

1. Achieve legislative victories for Ohio PAs by holding a PA Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse to actively engage with legislators and stakeholders.

Our first and foremost goal is to achieve legislative victories for Ohio PAs. By putting PAs directly in front of legislators during a PA Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse, we aim to break down legislative barriers to practice and raise awareness of the PA profession.

Get Involved!

• We are forming an ad hoc committee to plan the PA Advocacy Day. Would you like to be a part of it? If so, indicate your interest by using this form.
• Plan to attend! As soon as we have a date and details finalized, we will share it with members. The more practicing PAs, educators, and students we have in attendance, the stronger our collective voice will be!

2. Develop a structure for educational programming to deliver fresh, high-quality live, and on-demand programs and events that educate and inspire while driving revenue.

We're dedicated to enhancing our educational programming to provide fresh, high-quality live and on-demand programs that educate and inspire. By building OAPA's content expert profile, we can drive revenue while enriching the professional development of our community.

Get Involved!

• Do you have strong expertise in one or more specialty area of PA practice? If so, raise your hand to be one of our go-to experts for PA education and advocacy by completing this form.
• Plan to join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference. It’s the flagship annual event where the Ohio PA community convenes to learn and network! Registration opening soon.

3. Target a 10% increase in membership year over year to develop a larger, more engaged membership base that amplifies our advocacy impact and drives essential revenue.

Setting our sights on a 10% increase in membership year over year is pivotal. A larger, more engaged membership base amplifies our advocacy impact and strengthens our voice within the healthcare landscape.

Get Involved!

• Besides the obvious act of renewing your membership when it comes due, why not also invite a PA colleague or two to join? We are eager to share our benefits with them and grow our membership community.
• Follow us on social media and, critically, please like our posts and share them with your network. The more activity we receive on our posts, the more likely our content will be served up to PAs in the state who maybe haven’t heard about OAPA lately.

4. Strengthen ties with Ohio PA programs to foster lasting connections with future PAs.

We recognize the importance of fostering lasting connections with future PAs and strengthening ties with Ohio PA programs. By understanding their needs and positioning OAPA as a career-enhancing solution, we can ensure the continued growth and success of the PA profession in Ohio.

Get Involved!

• If you are a program director or faculty member, please share your feedback with OAPA about the needs of your program and your students when you receive an upcoming survey from us on this topic. OAPA seeks to be a noncompetitive resource to help complement the stellar PA education you are already providing!
• If you are a student, share your story with us! We’d love to do a member spotlight on you or share your research in a future newsletter. Help us celebrate you and all of our next generation of Ohio PAs!

5. Continue our journey with fiscal responsibility to diligently manage resources, ensure transparency, and adhere to best financial practices for financial stability and success.

OAPA has recently operated at a deficit, which strains resources and hinders mission fulfillment. We passed a balanced budget for 2024 and implemented new financial practices to ensure a solid, stable financial outlook for OAPA’s future.

Get Involved!

• If you have suggestions for possible partnerships or other opportunities for OAPA to diversify and expand our revenue sources, please contact us at oapa@ohiopa.com. We are open to new benefits to expand member value and new potential exhibitors and advertisers that may wish to reach our audience!
• If you are able, consider supporting our General Fund with a financial contribution. This money is used in the area of most need to fund operations and strengthen OAPA’s ability to serve the Ohio PA community.

We are committed to pursuing these five strategic focal areas and moving us closer to our shared vision of Ohio as the premier state for PAs. We hope that you are as energized as we are by these initiatives and that you will choose to become involved to help us get there!