In this Issue:

• Advocacy In Action: OAPA and ODU Meet with State Legislators
• What We Learned: Feedback from the Annual Conference Survey
• Give Yourself the Gift of CME with 2023 Budget Dollars!
• OAPA Working for You: Reimbursement Committee
• Op-Ed: OAPA President Matthew Freado, MPAP, PA-C, on Why YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS: A Vote for Professional Advancement in Ohio
• “The Way It Was”: Reflections from Ohio PA Licensee #2, Mike Bolinger, PA-C
• Save the Date: 2024 Pharmacology Conference
• Exciting News - PA Student Competition in the Works for 2024!

Advocacy In Action: OAPA and ODU Meet with State Legislators

OAPA recently held meetings with State Senator Hearcel F. Craig and State Representative Dontavius Jarrells at Ohio Dominican University (ODU) to advocate for our profession. One of the primary goals was to enlighten the legislators about PA education and the essential components of a high-quality curriculum. OAPA President Matthew Freado, PA-C, summarizes the successful meetings.

What We Learned: Feedback from the Annual Conference Survey

At the conclusion of the 2023 OAPA Annual Conference, volunteer leaders and the executive director celebrated another year of offering high quality educational programming and networking for PAs while agreeing that a fresh and innovative approach to planning next year’s event was in order. Review the key findings from the post conference survey that will help to inform 2024 Annual Conference development.

Give Yourself the Gift of CME with 2023 Budget Dollars!

December 31 is fast approaching. If you have budget dollars to burn and CMEs to earn, OAPA has you covered!

Our 2023 Pharmacology Conference recordings are packaged up with a nice little bow on top, just waiting for you to unwrap 12 hours of high quality voice-over-slide presentations to help you earn those must-have pharmacology CME credits.

Take a peek at the great content available for your payment of $325 and put those professional development budget dollars to good use before year end!

Even if you don’t need CME, you may be able to use your budget dollars for your OAPA membership renewal. Check that off the list now and you’ll be happy you did!

OAPA Working for You: Reimbursement Committee

“OAPA Working for You” is a new column highlighting important behind-the-scenes activities that OAPA committees and leaders do to support members and promote the PA community. Last month we covered the Government Affairs Committee. This month, we share news from the Reimbursement Committee!

The OAPA Reimbursement Committee advocates for favorable reimbursement policy pertaining to the PA profession. It educates administrators, physicians, and other decision makers on the current regulatory environment in reimbursement. In short, this committee wants to help you get paid for the good work that you do! Read on for more details about this committee’s work in 2023 and how you can reach out with your reimbursement-related questions and concerns.

Op-Ed: OAPA President Matthew Freado, MPAP, PA-C, on Why YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS: A Vote for Professional Advancement in Ohio

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, where the role of Physician Assistants continues to evolve, the importance of unity and collective action cannot be overstated. I want to explore why joining the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants is more than a commitment. YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS, and here's why.

“The Way It Was”: Reflections from Ohio PA Licensee #2, Mike Bolinger, PA-C

The PA profession has existed for more than 50 years, but at its inception, practitioners struggled to gain acceptance in health care settings and access to provide medical care to patients. OAPA member Cameron Powell, MPAS, PA-C, recently caught up with his mentor and inspiration for joining the PA profession, Milton (Mike) Bolinger, PA-C, (the second PA in Ohio) who shares his story on the early days of life as a PA in Ohio.

Save the Date: 2024 Pharmacology Conference

Celebrating 20 years of excellence, the 2024 OAPA Pharmacology Conference will be held April 12-13, 2024! We hope that you will plan to join us at the beautiful Sheraton Suites at Cuyahoga Falls for this annual event offering the best educational and networking opportunities for PAs in Ohio and beyond.

The Call for Speakers is now closed, meaning the conference program committee, under the leadership of Josanne Pagel, M.Div., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, EBS, is working diligently to develop a top-notch educational program.

If your organization is looking to build connections and gain exposure with the OAPA audience, sponsorship, exhibit, and advertising opportunities are now available on a first come-first served basis. Review the partnership prospectus and contact oapa@ohiopa.com with any questions.

Exciting News - PA Student Competition in the Works for 2024!

Look out for a new student-centered event in 2024; a state-wide OAPA Challenge Bowl! Designed to resemble national PA quiz competitions, we aim to feature involvement from as many Ohio PA schools as possible. Students across Ohio will be invited to participate, network, and demonstrate their knowledge among peers. Details are being established now, so stay tuned for more updates. Location is expected to be somewhere around central Ohio to encourage maximum participation.

Interested in becoming more involved? Please contact OAPA Board of Directors Student Representative Daniel Bixel at danbixel@gmail.com. We are actively looking for volunteers to develop questions, help with day-of planning, arrange networking with Ohio health systems, and are open to additional suggestions. We welcome both certified PAs and students to volunteer.

OAPA thanks all of its members for their continued support. With your membership commitment, we will continue to advocate and advance the PA profession!

Please Note: The OAPA office will be closed in December on the following dates: December 1, 4-5, and 22-26. On regular business days, phone calls are generally answered 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mon-Fri, or you may leave a voicemail. Email is always welcome at oapa@ohiopa.com.