Be Proud, Be a PA
Dear Colleagues,
Hello to all my fellow Derm PA colleagues. Happy PA week!
National PA Day was first celebrated on October 6, 1987, to honor the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class and the birthday of the program's founder, Eugene A. Stead, Jr., MD. Stead founded the physician assistant profession at Duke Medical Center in 1965 (coincidentally the year I was born) and look at where we are today! PA day eventually evolved into PA week, giving us a whole week to celebrate our accomplishments and profession.
There is no more tremendous privilege than the opportunity to care for and positively impact the lives of our patients. As PAs, each of us carries a title that represents dedication, skill, and compassion - a title that we should be proud to use when interacting with those we serve.
The importance of stating your PA title when interacting with patients cannot be overstated. Our role as PAs makes us an essential part of the healthcare team. By confidently introducing ourselves as PAs, we convey a message of trust and assurance, assuring our patients that they are in the capable hands of highly trained healthcare professionals.
Some of us may have pursued advanced degrees, such as Doctor of Health Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), or Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), myself included, earning the right to be addressed as "Doctor." While it is undoubtedly a significant achievement, we must remember the context in which we utilize this title. We should reserve the use of "Doctor" for academic and research settings, as it can otherwise cause confusion among patients and compromise the collaborative nature of our profession. However, in professional circles where it is appropriate, embracing this title celebrates our dedication to lifelong learning in specific healthcare fields.
Always remember the pride of being a PA. Our education, clinical training, and commitment to the well-being of our patients form the foundation of our success. By explicitly stating our PA title when seeing patients, we advocate for our profession's recognition and inspire confidence. We represent a force of compassion, empathy, and expertise, significantly impacting healthcare outcomes.
Some state laws dictate how you must address yourself when interacting with patients in a clinical setting. An example is a recently passed Georgia Code Title 43, Chapter 34, Article 4, stating Physician Assistants must identify themselves as such at every encounter with patients. Several other states have similar requirements, including wearing a nametag with your title visible to the patients.
Proudly carry your PA title. Strive for excellence, staying true to our core values of patient-centered care, collaboration, and continuous growth. With every interaction, we can shape a positive healthcare experience for our patients, fostering trust and building enduring relationships between the PA and patients.
Ultimately, it is not just about the letters after our names but the difference we make in the lives of those we serve. Stay proud, stay passionate, and let our PA title shine bright!
I am sure Dr. Stead would be proud of what he started and what we have accomplished. I wish each of you a happy PA week!
Yours truly,
Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
President, SDPA Board of Directors
