Physician Assistant Week highlights dedication of service to Veterans

When the U.S. and VA have historically had a shortage of health care providers, Physician Assistants-as individuals and as a profession-have come forward to meet the needs of our Veterans and their families.

The first class of PA students was assembled in 1965 at Duke University in North Carolina from a pool of former Navy hospital corpsmen and Army combat medics who had gained valuable medical training and experience during their service.

Their curriculum was based on the fast-track training used to prepare physicians to serve during World War II.

Today, VA is the single largest employer of PAs in the country. Almost 3,000 are currently employed by VA, 24% of whom are Veterans themselves.

October 6-12, 2024, is Physician Assistant Week. This week, we shine a spotlight on our physician assistants and highlight their 57 years of expertise, dedication to patient care and service to Veterans.

Pictured above, physician assistant Diane Avera at a workstation on wheels in a VA outpatient clinic.

PA Week at VA is more than just an annual calendar event. It's a yearly reminder to recognize teammates that contribute so much to the health care of our Veterans. It's an opportunity to recruit and retain top talent. It's an invitation to stand together, realizing that when we collaborate as providers, we enhance patient care.

PAs at VA provide care across all areas including primary care, medicine, surgery, mental health and many other specialties.

They also hold administration positions, work in Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System, Clinical Resource Hubs and clinical contact centers. VA offers PA residencies in Primary Care, Mental Health, Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine.

This week and every day we are proud to serve alongside physician assistants. We will continue to uplift and celebrate the excellent health care, the training and opportunities, and the collaboration and comraderie they provide.

Here's more information on Physician Assistants at VA.

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