Resolution of Commendation for William Kohlhepp, DHSc, PA-C
Whereas, Wiliam C. Kohlhepp completed his undergraduate course work in biology at the University of Connecticut in 1974 (Go Huskies!), and
Whereas, William Kohlhepp began his long and impactful career as a PA after graduating from the Rutgers/UMDNJ PA Program 1979, and
Whereas, William Kohlhepp was awarded a Masters in Health Administration from Quinnipiac University in 1997, and
Whereas, William Kohlhepp completed a Doctorate in Health Sciences from Nova Southeastern University in 2007, and
Whereas, Dr. Kohlhepp served many thousands of patients over his clinical career practicing emergency medicine, internal medicine and primary care, then concluding his practice in the specialty of occupational medicine, and
Whereas, even as a student at Rutgers/UMDNJ, he was already active in the advocacy side of our profession when he, along with several of his classmates founded the Physician Assistant Student Society of New Jersey, and served as an AAPA Student Academy Board member, and
Whereas upon graduation, alongside PA Maryann Ramos, he founded the New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants, and was instrumental in establishing enabling legislation for PA practice in New Jersey, and
Whereas, that drive to continue to serve the profession then continued to be a career-long commitment, and
Whereas, Bill went on to serve the Connecticut Academy of PAs, for a term as Secretary, two terms as Treasurer, each being a decade apart, and two terms as President, also with each term being a decade apart; where he was also instrumental in establishing enabling legislation for PA practice in Connecticut, and
Whereas, Bill then went on to serve the AAPA further, in the House of Delegates, first as Secretary, then a term as Second Vice Speaker, followed by two terms as First Vice Speaker, and finally three terms as Speaker of the House of Delegates, and
Whereas, Dr. Kohlhepp served as President of the AAPA in 2000, followed by service as the Chair of the Board, and
Whereas, he then went on to continue to serve our profession as a Board member, and later Chair of the Board of the NCCPA, and
Whereas, his service to the profession continued as he then joined the Board of PAEA, serving as Secretary/Treasurer, and culminating his service as President of PAEA, and
Whereas, even in “retirement” Bill has continued to serve the profession as an officer of the PA History Society, and
Whereas, Dr. Kohlhepp has had a long, distinguished academic career in addition to his clinical one, having first joined the faculty at Quinnipiac in 1996, rising through the ranks of tenure, serving as Associate Director of the PA Program, Director of Undergraduate PA Education, Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Vice President for Faculty Affairs, and in 2015 was selected to serve as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences which he served in until retirement, and
Whereas, Dr. Kohlhepp has published numerous articles and book chapters on a variety of PA related topics, including professionalism and relationships among others, and
Whereas Dr. Kohlhepp has shared wisdom, medical knowledge, insight, experiences, jokes and family stories with thousands of students, and likely is unaware of the true depth of the impact he has had on so many of those students, and
Whereas, Bill has mentored numerous eventual leaders of the PA profession, at both the state and national levels, and
Whereas, he has been recognized numerous times by a multitude of organizations including among others PAEA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, AAPA’s House of Delegates Outstanding Service Award, Connecticut Academy of PAs President’s Award, Founder’s Award, PA of the Year, and the Distinguished Merit Award, Occupational Medicine Caucus’ PA of the Year, AAPA Student Academy’s President’s Award, AT Still University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Human Letters, and
Whereas, Bill has dutifully, loyally, diligently and passionately served our beloved profession,
Therefore, be it resolved that the AAPA HOD honors and commends, William C. Kohlhepp, DHSc, PA-C Emeritus, for his career long continuous and selfless service to the profession.
The Connecticut Academy of Physician Associates
Cayla Daniele, MHS, PA-C, ConnAPA President & Chief Delegate
Jason Prevelige, MBA, DMSc, PA-C, AAPA President & Chair of the Board
Resolution Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Connecticut Academy of Physician Associates (ConnAPA)
Whereas, the Connecticut Academy of Physician Associates (ConnAPA) has served the PA profession with distinction since its founding in 1975, and
Whereas, ConnAPA has advanced the PA profession through advocacy, education, mentorship, and leadership at both the state and national levels, and
Whereas, ConnAPA’s efforts have strengthened PA practice, enhanced patient care, and fostered a vibrant and supportive professional community, and
Whereas, the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) recognizes ConnAPA’s five decades of outstanding contributions to the profession and to the people of Connecticut,
Therefore, be it resolved that the AAPA HOD recognizes and congratulates the Connecticut Academy of Physician Associates on its 50th Anniversary and expresses sincere appreciation for its enduring leadership and service.
The Connecticut Academy of Physician Associates
Cayla Daniele, MHS, PA-C, ConnAPA President & Chief Delegate