Latest News
Honoring PA Excellence: OAPA Names 2024 Award Winners
Excellence is meant to be celebrated! OAPA's awards recognize those who have made a significant positive impact on the PA profession. We are excited to announce this year's winners of the Jerry A. Greco, PA-C Memorial PA Educator of the Year Award and John Trimbath Award for Exceptional Preceptorship.
"The ABCs of Trauma Resuscitation" with Morgan Williams, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
PAs must be ready for anything to save lives. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for "The ABCs of Trauma Resuscitation." Learn more about the session presenter, Morgan Williams, PA-C, University Hospitals, in this speaker feature!
Take 5 Minutes to Stand Up for the PA Profession
The AAPA has asked the American Medical Association (AMA) to cease its divisive “scope creep” campaign. You can help by adding your name to a sign-on letter and completing a quick survey about the impact of AMA's efforts on your practice.
"'Why' Inspires 'Why': The Impact of Precepting" with Teresa Groh, PA-C, and Jennifer Garrett, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
PAs care...not only for their patients, but for the next generation of healthcare providers. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for “'Why' Inspires 'Why': The Impact of Precepting." Learn more about the session presenters, Teresa Groh, PA-C, and Jennifer Garrett, PA-C, Mount St. Joseph University, in this speaker feature!
"Elevated Intracranial Pressure - Management Strategies" with Emily Keller, DMS, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
PAs need comprehensive knowledge to ensure that patients receive prompt and effective care. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for "Elevated Intracranial Pressure - Management Strategies." Learn more about the session presenter, Emily Keller, DMS, PA-C, Ashland University and OhioHealth, in this speaker feature!
"Let Them Eat Cake: Untangling Food Myths, Disordered Eating, and the Battle Against Diet Culture in Modern Medicine" with Michael Czajka, MPAS, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
PAs believe in the power of evidence-based information for supporting patient health. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for "Let Them Eat Cake: Untangling Food Myths, Disordered Eating, and the Battle Against Diet Culture in Modern Medicine." Learn more about the session presenter, Michael Czajka, MPAS, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, in this speaker feature!
"Policy, Progress, and PAs: Advancing Our Legislative Agenda in Ohio" with Josanne Pagel, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
PAs are highly skilled professionals and should be empowered to practice at the top of their license. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for "Policy, Progress, and PAs: Advancing Our Legislative Agenda in Ohio." Learn more about the session presenter, Rev. Josanne Kissel Pagel M.Div., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, C-EBS, Karuna®RMT, in this speaker feature!
AAPA Invites Dialogue with AMA, Asks for End to Campaign Against PAs
The AAPA has sent a letter to the American Medical Association (AMA) confronting its unjust and harmful attacks on PAs and other healthcare providers and calling on the AMA to cease its divisive “scope creep” campaign.
"Neuroendocrine Zebras: Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas" with Lisa Ward, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
PAs have a need to know a menagerie of medical conditions. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for "Neuroendocrine Zebras: Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas." Learn more about the session presenter, Lisa Ward, PA-C, in this speaker feature!
"Novel Approaches to Treating Common Tendinopathies" with Christopher Rupprecht, MSHS, MA, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
PAs help patients get on their feet and back to the activities they love. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for "Novel Approaches to Treating Common Tendinopathies." Learn more about the session presenter, Christopher Rupprecht, MSHS, MA, PA-C, in this speaker feature!
Legislative VICTORY: PA Licensure Compact Signed Into Ohio Law
SB 28, the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact bill, has been signed into Ohio law by Governor Mike DeWine. This legislation represents an expansion of PA authority to help improve access to quality, cost-effective, accessible health care. Ohio now joins 12 other states, with more to come, who are promoting licensure portability to better support the PA workforce.
"How to Stay Healthy as a Busy PA" with Stephanie Whitling, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature
The PA profession is both rewarding and demanding. Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference to learn "How to Stay Healthy as a Busy PA." Learn more about the session presenter, Stephanie Whitling, PA-C, in this speaker feature!
All Fun & Games at the 2024 PA OlymPAcs
OAPA's annual field day style event bringing together PA students from around the state of Ohio in friendly competition to raise funds for worthy causes took place on June 29, 2024, at Ohio Dominican University. Find out which program walked away with this year's gold medal!
Legislative VICTORY: PAs Granted Access as Authorized Signers in SB81
Senate Bill 81 was signed into law by Governor DeWine in June 2024 and will take effect in September 2024. This law includes PAs among other advanced practice providers to permit their signature on specific documents related to admission, discharge, and treatment of patients.
2024 Pharmacology On-Demand Content
This 12 credit, on-demand CME program covering myriad areas of pharmacology for PA practice is now available for purchase!
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: OAPA Submits Written Opponent Testimony on HB 102
HB102 proposes to establish licensure for advanced practice respiratory therapists. OAPA submitted written testimony against the bill, seeking to eliminate outdated policies that limit PAs from providing comprehensive health services that could help to address the provider shortage for people with cardiopulmonary disease.
Supreme Court Upholds Patient and PA Prescribing Rights in Mifepristone Case
The United States Supreme Court recently overturned a Fifth Circuit ruling that placed restrictions on mifepristone, including stripping away PA prescribing rights. AAPA and other national association had joined an amicus brief earlier this year to defend the rights of patients and PAs.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: OAPA Submits Written Opponent Testimony on HB 73
HB73 enables out-of-state providers to selectively intervene in the care of Ohio patients, potentially directing care in ways that may not align with established medical practices, which would force hospital physicians to provide any prescription medication requested by the patient. OAPA President Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, has submitted written testimony against the bill.
Op-Ed: OAPA President Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, on the Realities of Legislative Progress, Why It Matters, and How You Can Help
OAPA’s vision is for Ohio to be the premier state for PAs. However, the past year has underscored the numerous legislative barriers that must be overcome to achieve this goal. Here are the challenges we face, and why your participation matters.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: OAPA Gives Opponent Testimony on SB 60
Senate Bill 60 seeks to create a new health care profession, License Certified Mental Health Assistant, that may negatively affect PA practice. Michell McDiffett, OAPA Vice President and a psychiatric PA-C, testified against the bill.
Houston, Here We Come! OAPA Delegates to Represent Ohio PAs at the National Level
Before the AAPA conference begins this week, the 2024 AAPA House of Delegates (HOD) will convene to review and adopt proposed resolutions that impact AAPA governance and operations and the broader PA profession. OAPA is proud to have 9 members representing our organization in Houston in the HOD.
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: OAPA Gives Interested Party Testimony on SB 196
Senate Bill 196 regarding global signature authority for APRNs had a 3rd hearing in the Senate Health Committee on May 8. OAPA President Matthew Freado gave interested party testimony, seeking the addition of PAs to this bill.
On-Demand CME: COPD Pharmacology and Updates on Treatment
This one hour, on-demand CME program takes a deep dive into COPD Pharmacology and Updates on Treatment with Dr. Stephanie Zampino, PharmD, BCPS. The program includes a review of the pharmacotherapeutic options for COPD, approach for managing a patient with COPD, and important GOLD guideline updates.
On the Legislative Front
OAPA continues its quest to remove barriers to PA practice. Our current priorities for the State of Ohio are outlined on our Advocacy web page. If you haven't visited lately, take a look! Be sure to also follow along with our Latest News, which occasionally has relevant stories from the federal level, including a recent post about AAPA's Amicus Brief on the Mifepristone Case.
