Hello fellow Washington PAs! 

For the first time in close to three years the AAPA House of Delegates (HOD) met in person - convening in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday May 20th. The excitement of being able to discuss and debate in-person was palpable from the beginning. There were adjustments to being back in-person but overall, the House ran smoothly and efficiently.  In addition, the AAPA General Session inspired many, as we got to witness a discussion between Simone Biles and Jane Pawley, two well- known and successful women who have struggled with their own unique mental health issues.  

Approximately 50 resolutions were submitted by various constituent organization for consideration this year, with 19 pulled for further discussion. While most amendments focused on slight word choice changes, there were several resolutions receiving extensive debate. The highlights are below but I encourage anyone interested to log-in to AAPA website and view results themselves - https://www.aapa.org/about/aapa-governance-leadership/house-of-delegates/house-of-delegates-meeting/#tabs-3-refcom-reports-summary-of-actions 

Resolution A-1   

Proposed By-Laws amendment to Articles X, XI submitted by Governance Commission. Would change oversight of elected AAPA Nominating Work Group (responsible for identifying and evaluating potential candidates for elected AAPA positions) from the Board of Directors to appointed members of the AAPA Governance Commission. Ultimately recommendation made to table this idea indefinitely until all groups involved can agree on a more transparent and defined oversight structure, that is not in conflict with intent of current AAPA By-Laws.  

Resolution A-2   

Proposed By-Laws amendment to Article III, V, XIII allowing certain AAPA student members to vote in AAPA General Elections. Initial proposal recommended voting rights in AAPA general election be extended to all credentialed members of the Student House of Delegates, members of Student Assembly of Representatives, and student members of the AAPA Board of Directors (includes approximately 350 students total). Amendment submitted and passed which now extends voting rights to above bodies with exception of Student Assembly of Representatives.  

Resolution A-13   

Proposed policy manual change limiting use of Advanced Practice Provider (APP) and Advanced Practice Clinician (APC) nomenclature. Amendment offered recommending limited use, as more restrictive language could prohibit PA participation in interdisciplinary events, studies, and collaboration.  

Resolution A-14    

Amending policy paper "Guidelines for State (and Territory) Regulation of PAs. Adds "Territory" terminology to allow for growth of PA profession in Puerto Rico and adds Optimal Team Practice (OTP) language into scope of practice section. 

Resolution B-1   

Updates policy stating that AAPA supports the awarding the master's degree as the terminal degree. Doctorate degree would affect PA school faculty, student costs, increase barriers to education especially amongst underrepresented populations.  

Resolution B-3   

Increased CME credit for Precepting. Amendment to original proposal allowing preceptors to earn two Category 1 CME credits per week for each PA student they precept with NO MAXIMUM (currently limited to 20 credits) 

I'd like to thank my fellow 2022 delegates - Sue Cole, Danny Satow, Stephanie Granvall, and Terry Kinney. They committed and volunteered hours upon hours of their time listening to testimony and showed thoughtful consideration of resolutions and amendments - all in the hope of benefitting all Washington PAs. 

In May of 2023 we head to Nashville and are led by Linda Dale (chief delegate), myself, and three new additions to the Washington delegation - former WAPA president Gabe Zecha, Jay O'Neil, and Joshua Lumsden. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or ideas for resolutions!  

Sincerely,  

Justin R Thibeault, PA, MPH