PAEA & AAPA Announce the Release of Title Change Practical Guide

Today, the PA Education Association (PAEA) and American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) are announcing the release of their jointly developed resource, “Embracing the Future: A Practical Guide to Transition PA Programs to ‘Physician Associate’.” This comprehensive guide draws on the experiences and insights of leaders from PA programs that have incorporated “physician associate” in program branding and department/degree terminology. 

“As the national organization representing PA education programs, we understand members interested in pursuing title change need clear guidance on navigating this process,” says PAEA Chief Executive Officer Sara Fletcher, PhD. “We felt that at this time it was essential to partner with AAPA and PA programs across the country to share best practices and practical implementation strategies.” 

This guide provides best practices for programs interested in transitioning to the new title, including strategies for engaging institutional stakeholders, updating documentation, and managing communication with applicants, students, faculty, and clinical partners.  

By learning from these early adopters’ successes and challenges, PA programs considering name and branding changes can gain practical insights and strategies to secure a successful transition.  

“Evolving the PA title requires all stakeholders to work together, and AAPA commends the PA programs who have taken the bold step of changing their names,” said AAPA CEO Lisa M. Gables, CPA. “We are grateful for their participation in this effort to provide guidance to programs undertaking this process. As more programs update their names, we will build momentum within their states and foster greater understanding of the need to update the PA title through legislation.”

Why Was This Resource Developed?  

As the healthcare environment has evolved to meet the changing needs of patients, title change has long been a subject of discussion within the PA profession. Since the May 2021 decision by AAPA’s House of Delegates (HOD) to change the profession’s title, 27 AAPA constituent organizations and several states have made progress to adopt the new title.  

While state legislation to update PA practice acts will take time, momentum for the title change continues to grow. This was an opportunity for PAEA and AAPA to act as a resource for PA programs interested in pursuing this change. 

Learn More  

PAEA is committed to keeping members informed on the issues that matter most. As a component of our commitment to ensure that programs, faculty, and students are provided with the resources necessary to navigate the title change initiative, we’ve developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help our members better understand how the Title Change is unfolding. Keep reading.