ConnAPA Representatives Participate in AAPA House of Delegates

2014 AAPA House of Delegates Report

Andrew Turczak PA-C, MHS
ConnAPA President, Chief Delegate

Over the Memorial Day weekend several ConnAPA volunteers headed up to Boston, MA to serve as Connecticut’s delegates to the 2014 AAPA House of Delegates. A special thank you to Cynthia Lord PA-C, John McNab PA-C, Bill Kohlhepp PA-C, Patrick Killeen PA-C and Terry O’Donnell PA-C for giving their time and efforts in representing all of the CT PAs. The house held an extremely successful session passing key elements to our national bylaws and policy.

Here are a few of the highlights:

2014-B-02 The Role and Definition of a PA: Passed as Amended

PAs are health professionals licensed or, in the case of those employed by the federalgovernment, credentialed to practice medicine in collaboration with physicians. PAs are qualified by graduation from an accredited PAeducational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification ofPhysician Assistants.

Within the physician-PA relationship, PAs provide patient-centered medical care services as a member of a health care team. PAs practice with defined levels of autonomy andexercise independent medical decision making within their scope of practice.

2014-A-01 Elections of all Board of Directors by the House of Delegates: Rejected

There was discussion to move voting for the Board of Directors of AAPA from individual members to the delegates representing the members from each state. After significant discussion there were concerns expressed that the voice of the individual fellow member would not be heard. Therefore, this resolution was rejected.

2014-C-01 Firearm Safety and Reduction of Firearm Related Violence: Passed as Amended

The AAPA supports policies and educational programs that will effectively reduce homicide, suicide and other violence that occurs through the use of firearms. As the AAPA represents the diverse membership of physician assistants, the AAPA supports

1. Reporting by physician assistants to law enforcement agencies persons in their care exhibiting behavior dangerous to themselves or others.

2. Supporting state legislation that allows PAs to counsel patients regarding firearm safety.

3. Participation in AND/OR ADVOCACY OF educational programs on the safe storage and use of firearms.

4. PARTICIPATION IN AND/OR ADVOCACY OF Training programs for the safe use and employment of firearms.

5. Enforcement of current laws for the purposes of public safety regarding firearms.

To find all of the resolutions discussed, amended, passed or rejected please follow the links below.

Connecticut Academy of PAs