Physician Assistant Mission Statement

It is the most influential source of insight for PA’s practicing in MI. Its purpose is to “encourage its members to abide by the AAPA code of ethical conduct”, “serve as a public information center with respect to its members, health professions, governments agencies, and the general public”, and “ represent its members in matters of legislation in order to maintain and further develop the practice of the profession” 2. Since the mid 1970s, MAPA has been an important advocator for its members and has not only worked on the improvement of working environments for physician assistants but is also involved in politicizing for enhancements in the scope of practice as well as raising a voice on actions that may impose a threat on the Physician Assistant occupation. At the turn of the century, the ‘Barriers to PA Practice’ list was created by MAPA in order to “overturn all of the antiquated laws disallowing PAs to practice in aspects of care or allowing negative interpretation by administrators of health plans and State agencies” 3. Since this list was created, many new public acts have been passed allowing physician assistants in Michigan to gain more independence. Some important advancements that occurred during this time included MAPA’s involvement in overturning office supervision guidelines insurances such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan imposed on physician assistants as well as overturning the insurances refusal to pay surgical PAs, Public Act 281 which allowed referrals from physician assistant to a physical therapist, and Public Acts 124-126 which approved Physician Assistants to be added to a “list of professionals able to form professional corporations (PC) and professional limited liability corporations (PLLC) and clarifies that physicians and

In 1968, American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) formerly known as the American Association of Physician Assistants was established in North Carolina by the first graduate students of Duke University Physician Assistant program. Since then PA profession has grown to tremendous heights. The mission statement of the AAPA is, “To ensure the professional growth, personal excellence, and recognition of the physician assistants, and to support their efforts to enable then to improve the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered health care.” The physician assistant profession has shown remarkable growth since its first PAs started practice in 1967.

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Program's mission statement resonates deeply with my aspirations as a future PA. The program places an emphasis on providing holistic, patient-centered care as a collaborative team of healthcare workers, which aligns with my core beliefs. These values have been shaped by my academic journey as well as in my practical experience. The Northwestern PA program’s mission statement is centered around a commitment to providing patient centered care and collaboration with various healthcare professionals.

Physician assistants work under the supervision of a physician. The service provided by a PA is contingent upon their education, experience, the state laws, facility policies and the needs of the patients at the practice. The standards which defines the service that PAs provide allow for faster, effective and specialized health care. Physician Assistants are licensed to obtain patient medical histories, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret test, develop treatment plans, assist in surgery, write prescriptions for controlled substances, and educate and counsel patients.

Every PA provides care for patients from a diverse variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Thus, a history of relationships with individuals from varied backgrounds is valued. Spending time abroad, participating in multicultural groups, or working in a variety of volunteer or paid positions are some examples of such experiences that have aided in your ability to accept and comprehend people with quite different backgrounds and worldviews from your own (Quick Facts: Physician Assistant). Effective cooperation and leadership are incredibly critical qualities, if not the most crucial.

I’m currently a student at San Joaquin Valley College, working towards becoming a certified medical assistant in which I have proficiency in typing skills and accomplished CPR and HIPAA certification. My passion is the medical field where I can assist the needs and services of others while being able to connect and create a comfortable environment for patients. On an interpersonal level, I excel as a conversationalist to personalize each interaction I encounter. With previous volunteer work for organizations, I’ve come to realize I strive in wanting to make a positive difference in people’s lives and hope to one day be able to do it on a daily basis. Making a difference in people’s lives at times can take the littlest effort and in doing so

“The services that physician assistants provide may include diagnostic evaluations, therapeutic remediation, surgical assistance, and pharmaceutical prescription.” (Physician Assistant Career). “In general practices, physician assistants are likely to see patients in need of physical examinations, psychological assessments, laboratory testing, surgical consultations, or infectious disease diagnoses. In more specialized clinics, physician assistants may provide all of these services, along with services that are unique to that medical specialty. For example, an oncology doctor is more likely to require physician assistants to possess proficiency in cancer diagnostic tools, cancer treatments, and laboratory studies.”

On a typical day, a PA will perform various responsibilities such as patient exams, diagnosing illnesses, and assisting in surgery (Physician Assistant). Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science writes in reference to a PA's responsibilities, “They work with patients of all ages in virtually all specialty and primary care areas, diagnosing and treating common illnesses and working with minor procedures" (Physician Assistant). Being able to work in almost all care areas means that PAs are able to provide help to varying amounts of people. PAs complete many laborious tasks every day.

Thank you for taking the time to review my personal statement on why I have chosen to embark on the journey to become a Physician Assistant. My story started several years ago, more than I care to count, when I stumbled into the health care world as a paramedic in rural Pennsylvanian. While in high school, I became friends with several other students who were actively volunteering with a local fire department. After hearing their stories about the things they were learning and doing I also joined a volunteer fire department, mostly out of curiosity. Over the course of a couple of years I discovered that the challenges that I encountered during training and responding to emergencies had unlocked some unrealized, more like unknown, drive inside

My initial impetus and foundation for becoming a preventive medicine physician began as a behavior analyst, serving children and teens with various developmental disorders in NY and MA. Working closely with individuals and groups as a case manager motivated me to become a medical assistant, exposing me to complex cases and clarifying my desire to reduce rural health disparities - ultimately leading me to become a physician. A multidisciplinary approach and comprehensive continuity of care is at the core of what I believe preventative medicine offers; utilizing my extensive knowledge of lobbying and rural health disparities, I feel I can make meaningful impacts on patient outcomes within outpatient-centric, rural underserved areas. I am committed

But, Why PA school? Why not just go to medical school? I’ve gotten this question from a lot of people and it’s a question I’ve had to ask myself as well. PAs work interdependently with their supervising physician to “take patient histories, perform physical examinations, order laboratory, and diagnostic studies, prescribe medications, and develop patient

46.8 million Americans were reported as uninsured in 2013, which equivocates to one sixth of the population. Those without insurance have revealed that they risk “more problems getting care, are diagnosed at later disease stages, and get less therapeutic care” (National Health Care Disparities Report) and those insured risk losing their insurance. Inadequately covered citizens are often working-class individuals who simply cannot receive insurance due to uncontrollable inconveniences and therefore jeopardize having medical coverage. In these instances, Americans have a chance of being diagnosed with diseases that they had no opportunity to prevent or could not diagnose them at an early stage of the illness. Patients have suffered unnecessarily due to lack of health care, and “18,000 Americans die every year because they don't have health insurance” (PNHP).

I want to be a physician because I want people to grow old. At the age of 6, one of my closest friends was diagnosed with leukemia. By age 8, the disease claimed his life, robbing him of the opportunity to experience the privilege of growing old. Unfortunately, we live in a society of vanity. We see the process of aging and choose not to embrace it.

The Physician Assistant (PA) is an essential component of a medical staff. Their duties include, Examining and treating patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, educating patients, and promoting overall health and wellness (“Physicians Assistants”. (2015, December 17). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm). Physician Assistants work in many different areas of medicine under the direct supervision of a primary care physician.

The senator gives an example on a cancer patient getting chemo and how it is seen as a privilege for her getting it, if she can afford it. If the patient is not able to pay for health care to covers those charges, then it is all up to her own personal finances (Benen, 2017). Personal view Throughout this course, I learned more than I ever thought I would on health care and the organization. This was a new topic for me