Celebrating 50 Years: Justine Strand de Oliveira Past President Snapshot

Justine Strand de Oliveira, DrPH, PA-C, professor emeritus, served as president of PAEA in 2009. Read her snapshot to learn about the Association’s 2009 doctoral summit, how PAEA fared during the nation’s financial crisis, and more. 

 What was happening in PA education during your year as president?   

It was a watershed year in US health care. The Affordable Care Act was making its way through Congress and actually passed the House on November 9, 2009, during the PAEA annual meeting.

What were the highlights of your presidency?

PAEA partnered with AAPA to hold a summit on the clinical doctorate. The PA History Society reported, “The AAPA and PAEA host a PA Clinical Doctorate Summit in Atlanta. Fifty independent representatives, from within and outside the PA profession, discuss whether the clinical doctoral degree should be awarded as a post-graduate degree to PAs. The Summit endorses the master’s degree as the terminal degree for PA clinical education.” 

Looking back on your PAEA presidency, what are you most proud of?

The organization was in excellent financial health despite the dire economic situation reported in the US: “Real gross domestic product (GDP) fell 4.3 percent from its peak in 2007, Q4 to its trough in 2009, Q2, the largest decline in the postwar era (based on data as of October 2013). The unemployment rate, which was 5 percent in December 2007, rose to 9.5 percent in June 2009, and peaked at 10 percent in October 2009.” 

I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve our profession in this capacity.