Join Us In Celebrating National PA Week Oct. 6-10

We are thrilled to honor the 158k+ US physician assistants/associates during PA Week, which runs October 6-10. Thank you for all that you do to care for your patients! It is a tall task and we appreciate you. Check out a few fun facts about this awesome group of healthcare providers!

Physician Assistant/Physician Associate (PA): A licensed medical professional with an advanced degree who provides direct patient care1

  • Diagnose and treat common illnesses

  • Make rounds and perform patient exams

  • Assist in surgery

  • Order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays

  • Prescribe medications

  • Develop and manage treatment plans

  • Advise patients on preventative care and optimal health practices

  • Work in virtually all specialty and primary care areas, including endocrinology

  • EDUCATION

  • 1967

    Birth of the PA profession with first graduating class from Duke University2

  • 3 Academic Years

    Length of most PA programs, including classroom instruction and clinical rotations3

  • Master’s Degree

    Level at which PAs are educated3

  • PRACTICE

  • Almost158,500

    Almost 158,500

  • 30%

    Approximate increase in certified PAs in US between 2017 and 20214

  • 10.4 million

    Estimated number of patients with whom PAs interact every week5

  • CREDENTIALS

  • Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)

    Test PAs must pass to practice1

  • PA-C

    Credential of a Certified Physician Assistant1

  • Continuing Education

    Required of PAs every two years1

  • Recertification Exam

    Required of PAs every 10 years1

Empower Yourself with AACE Community Membership

Physician Assistants are essential to the endocrine care team—focusing on the needs of patients and providing quality care. AACE wants to ensure that you have access to the resources you need to stay up to date on the latest evidence-based knowledge and treatment options. We have created a comprehensive range of educational events and courses tailored specifically for physician assistants, focused on common endocrine conditions.

Top 10 Reasons to Join the AACE Community

  1. Member discount (up to 40%) on Annual Meeting registration — program offers specific content for PAs — registration opens Nov. 2023
  2. Member discount (up to 40%) on AACE Certificate Program — disease state focused certificate programs developed specifically for patient care team — coming spring 2024
  3. Member discount (up to 40%) on AACE education programs
  4. Care team liaison to the AACE Board of Directors
  5. Care team representation on AACE Committees, Subcommittees, Task Forces, Workgroups and Disease State Networks
  6. Nationally recognized amongst your peers
  7. Access and networking opportunities with key opinion leaders and colleagues within the endocrinology community
  8. Speaking engagements on behalf of AACE
  9. Mentor/mentee participation through the AACE Mentorship Program
  10. Access to new AACE Community portal and webpage specifically for PAs — coming spring 2024

I have had the pleasure of working closely with AACE for over 2 decades of my career. My mentor and physician supervisor served as a past president of AACE and in my role as a past leader in the American Society of Endocrine PAs I enjoyed close collaboration with many AACE leaders and members who were very welcoming and supportive. This collaboration greatly enhanced my clinical skills over the years. I strongly recommend surrounding yourself with others who are passionate about exceptional patient care, which can only make you a better clinician as this is a team sport. Widening your network of experts in the field, access to regularly updated clinical guidelines, discounted rates for attending the annual conference are just a few of the benefits of becoming an AACE member.
Chris Sadler, MA, PA-C, CDCES, DFAAPA
San Diego, CA

Join the AACE Community

References

  1. college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/physician-assistant/

  2. circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2016/11/15/the-birth-of-the-physician-assistant/

  3. aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/

  4. clinicaladvisor.com/home/my-practice/physician-assistant-career-resources/number-newly-certified-pas-reaches-record-high/

  5. nccpa.net/news/pa-profession-surges-in-last-decade/