April 20, 2023

In this Issue:

Legislative Update
Program Spotlight - Ashland University
Diversity Corner
DEI Webinar
Region 6 Event - Dayton Dragons Game
University of Findlay Doctorate Survey
Welcome New and Renewed Members

Legislative Update

SB28, the PA Compact Licensing bill, has had three hearings in the Senate Health Committee and is pending a vote to send it to the full Senate.  

It is not too late to contact your Senator using the Capitol Canary page.  Fill in your information, hit send and the letter will be sent to your Senator.

PA Program Spotlight - Ashland University

Ashland University is a new program that started in August 2021 with the goal of teaching evidence-based medicine, promoting leadership, and providing education with an emphasis on patient-centered care for future Physician Assistants. The first cohort had 21 students who received their white coats, with an anticipated graduation date of August 2023. They have currently completed 5 rotations with travel opportunities to New York City and Chicago for pediatrics. The first cohort PANCE results will not be released until the spring of 2024. At Ashland University we are engaging within our community through different fundraisers and volunteer experiences. We have volunteered with Be The Match organization to promote bone marrow donation and multiple students are involved in Fit Fest through Ashland University, which is a charity for pediatric cancer research. As a new program, we are still growing and trying to increase these opportunities! We are excited about the direction we are headed as a new program! "

Diversity Corner

Research has shown that Racism has a mental and physical impact that negatively affects millions of people. Research also shows that this impact is more profound on communities of color and social determinants of health are the major drivers of health inequities within these communities. Understandably, these populations are at greater risk for poor health outcomes. 

CDC - www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/racism-disparities/index.html

Physician assistants have heard about health disparities, but what can we do to help ensure healthy outcomes for our patients? Individually and collectively, we can make a difference in health disparities.

  • Educate yourself on health disparities, particularly in your area of medicine. Use your Web search engine and combine “health disparities” and any area or topic in medicine.
  • Visit AAPA https://www.aapa.org/about/dei-resource-center/#tabs-4-internal-aapa-dei-resources This health disparities reduction project was initiated by the AAPA's Committee on Diversity and focuses on developing solutions to reduce health disparities that are caused by clinician stereotyping.
  • Encourage and recruit racial and ethnic minorities to become PAs. Doing so will help to increase the number of providers serving all patients, especially minority patients, as well as to increase understanding of the issues associated with caring for all of the nation's population.
  • Take steps to improve your cross-cultural communication skills. The Health Resource and Services Administration promotes cultural competency resources for clinicians at www.hrsa.gov/culturalcompetence/;

DEI Webinar - "Kids and Kidneys: What Kids and Kidneys can Teach us about Racism in America"

June 3, 2023
9:00 AM
Via Zoom

Presented by Ray Bignall, MD
Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH

Student - $15
OAPA Member - $35
Non-member PA - $50

Register Now

Discounted PA Program Rates are available for multiple students from the same program..  Contact the OAPA office at oapa@ohiopa.com to register your students and make payment.

Learning Objectives:

Define Racism, and overview its historical context in the United States.

Understand racial/ethnic health disparities in pediatric kidney care leading to structurally racist social determinants of health resulting in unjust public health systems perpetuating disparities in disease prevention, surveillance, reporting and intervention.

Evaluate changes health professionals can make to help dismantle systems of inequality and promote population health equity and patient advocacy for justice.

This activity has been reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 6/3/2023 to 6/3/2023. AAPA reference number: CME-209169.

Region 6 Event - Dayton Dragons Game

Hello, all Dayton-area OAPA members!  

You are invited to attend our next event!  On June 4th, we will be at the Dayton Dragons game which starts at 1:05PM.

~Come and meet Emily Brown, who is running for the Region 6 Director position during the upcoming OAPA election.

~We will give you an update about what legislation is pending and our vision for making Ohio the best place for PAs to work.

~Find out how to get involved in advocacy for our profession and why it matters.

~This is also an opportunity to give us some feedback about what issues are important to you.

You can receive up to two tickets at no cost to you, so bring a friend or consider bringing another PA who would like more information about why it is important to be an OAPA member.

RSVP by June 1st by emailing oapa@ohiopa.com.

Thank you, see you there!

Joyce Oiler, PA-C
OAPA Region 6 Director

University of Findlay PA Program Doctorate Survey

The University of Findlay is attempting to gather insights into the experiences and perceptions of doctorate degrees for physician assistants.

Link to Survey

Welcome New and Renewed Members

Physician Assistants

Students