New Board Members Elected and a Recap of the 2021 Business Meeting

PAEA members across the nation elected a new president elect, Linda J. Sekhon, DHSc, PA-C, of High Point University, at an election held during PAEA’s virtual Education Forum in October. Sekhon will join two additional new board members, Treasurer Jacqueline S. Barnett, DHSc, MSHS, PA-C, of Duke University, and Director at Large Virginia L. Valentin, DrPH, PA-C, of the University of Utah. The new Board members will take office on January 1, when Kara Caruthers, MS, PA-C, of Meharry Medical College, will begin her term as president. Learn more about these outstanding leaders below.

Dr. Sekhon has been a PA educator since 1996, and in 2011, she founded the PA program at High Point University. This February, she transitioned into department chair and program director for the High Point University Doctor of Medical Science program. “I am a big promoter of leadership, and I think right now we need to surround ourselves by strong leaders on the Board, and to enhance and encourage other leaders out there," she said. "Those are things that I would really like to be a part of.”

Dr. Jacqueline Barnett, Program Director of the Duke University PA Program, has held numerous leadership positions over her 25-year career, serving in professional organization leadership and service roles and investing in countless individuals as a mentor, coach, and leader. When asked about her impetus for running for the 2022 Board of Directors, Dr. Barnett shared, “I truly believe that missions drive organizations, but finances drive and support the mission. Some of the stuff I’ve learned and been involved with at the program level – and across many programs where I mentor faculty and staff at the program level – I think could be useful for PAEA at the national level."

Dr. Valentin is an Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Physician Assistant studies at the University of Utah PA program. She brings nearly two decades of clinical experience to her teaching. Additionally, Dr. Valentin has years of advocacy experience at the state and national level. When asked what sparked her interest in becoming a PAEA Board Member, she said, “We’ve got the name change, we’ve got OTP, and we’ve got the post-COVID world, on top of the issues of diversity and inclusion that are occurring. Our profession is at 50 years, and we’re at 50 years of PAEA; what’s next? That’s what’s on my mind, and I would be honored to be a part of framing that.”

At the business meeting, the Association’s formal annual meeting, attendees also approved four motions:

Interprofessional Education Position Policy

Attendees reaffirmed PAEA’s position policy on interprofessional education for PAs, which was scheduled to sunset in 2021.

PAEA endorses interprofessional education for PAs and encourages efforts to promote interprofessional education and practice.  

Patient-Centered Medical Home Position Policy

Attendees reaffirmed PAEA’s position policy on the patient-centered medical home (PCMH), which was also scheduled to sunset in 2021.

PAEA is supportive of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH), which incorporates all primary care providers (PCPs), as an approach for providing comprehensive team-based primary care.

Bylaws Amendment Article 2.01

In 2021, the Board of Directors began developing a new strategic plan to guide the Association for the coming years. Throughout its conversations, the Board agreed that the mission statement should be revised to be inclusive of the Association’s values and its commitment to equity and inclusion. Attendees voted to amend the mission statement, which now reads:

PAEA’s mission is advancing excellence in PA education through leadership, scholarship, equity, and inclusion.

PA Profession Title Change

Attendees voted to adopt the Association’s new position policy on the PA Profession Title Change. In crafting this position policy, the Board of Directors was guided by PAEA’s priorities and guiding principles and input from multiple stakeholders, including our members and institutional leaders.

PAEA will support and help guide all member programs through the name change process as state legislatures and accreditors codify the new title of “physician associate” during the transition.

President Statler also extended a warm thanks to the PAEA Board of Directors and staff, who have been working remotely since March 2020, for all they do each and every day to support our members.

“Our new CEO was in her position for one month before having to shut the offices down and move her staff remotely. The staff have not missed one beat,” she noted. “Over this past year, the Board has tackled issues relating to accreditation, the doctoral degree, and title change. The Board has diligently been working on the strategic plan, which will determine our priorities for the next three to five years.”

At the end of the meeting, President Statler virtually passed the ceremonial gavel to Caruthers in preparation for her term in 2021, noting that the Association will be in good hands under Caruthers’ leadership. Caruthers thanked Statler for her thoughtful, consistent guidance and emphasis on wellness throughout the past year. “I look forward to following in your footsteps and leading the Association next year,” said Caruthers.