Last week, the University of Lynchburg’s Doctor of Medical Science program hosted the 15th annual International Academy of PA Educators conference.
The conference drew physician associates and PA-comparable educators from around the world, including from Uganda, Malaysia, India, Puerto Rico, and Germany.
The theme, “Can global physician associate (PA) and PA analogue education adapt to the changing world? Responding with Collaboration, Innovation, and Mutual Respect,” set the stage for a series of engaging discussions on the future of the PA profession.
With approximately 178,700 certified PAs in the U.S. and 650,000 global clinical practitioners in comparable roles, the profession continues to grow, adapting to changes in global health care.
The conference highlighted these changes, with discussions on accreditation and reciprocity of physician assistant programs outside the U.S. and the barriers to licensure of internationally trained PAs.
Dawn Morton-Rias, president and CEO of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, emphasized the diversity and adaptability of PAs, noting, “Years ago, it would have been family practice. Now the surgical specialties lead the pack.”
In a rapidly changing world, PA educators are striving to keep pace with technical advancements, shifting disease patterns, and growing global mobility.
Dr. Mary Showstark, an assistant professor at Yale, highlighted the importance of PAs staying engaged with these changes. “We are a profession that needs to get involved in the things going on in the world,” she said. “We need to be aware of all the shifts and get involved.”
University of Lynchburg faculty and staff also played a role in shaping conversations at the conference. Dr. Jeremy Welsh, vice president for academics and strategic operations, talked about the evolution of the University’s PA doctorate, reflecting on how pursuing his doctorate opened leadership opportunities in clinical and administrative roles.
“Completing a doctorate was absolutely life-changing,” Welsh said. “If I thought the master’s changed my life, the doctorate was a completely different world.”
Welsh also shared that after completing his Doctor of Health Science, and eventually moving from a primarily clinical career into full-time academia, he was motivated to create a doctoral degree specific to PAs. As a result, Lynchburg’s Doctor of Medical Science program was developed.
Dr. James “Rick” Kilgore, a leading voice in the PA profession and a Lynchburg faculty member, tackled misconceptions surrounding the role of PAs and nonphysician providers.
He emphasized the importance of using evidence-based data to clarify the value and role of PAs in health care systems, encouraging ongoing collaboration with physician colleagues to enhance care delivery for patients.
Conference attendees from around the world shared updates on the state of the PA profession in their respective countries, highlighting progress and challenges.
Dr. Laura Juarez provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by PAs in Puerto Rico. She explained that when the PA profession was introduced to the island, it encountered a unique set of hurdles that delayed its development and understanding among the public and health care professionals.
Juarez noted that many individuals seeking medical careers who were unable to pass board exams or complete residencies began applying for PA roles. This conflation of roles led to widespread confusion about the PA’s purpose and responsibilities, with the term “assistant” contributing to the misconception that PAs were support staff rather than licensed health care providers.
Addressing conference attendees, Juarez underscored the importance of recognizing PAs as integral to the health care team, distinct from physicians but equally valuable in their contributions to patient care.
“The definition of a PA is not a failed physician,” she said, emphasizing that PAs are highly trained medical professionals with their own scope of practice and expertise.
Juarez’s reflections on the development of the PA profession in Puerto Rico illustrated the broader challenges PAs face in gaining recognition and respect as health care providers around the world.
Her advocacy highlighted the need for clear communication about the PA role, especially in regions where health care access is limited and misconceptions persist, and her remarks aligned with the overarching theme of the conference: the need for collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect to shape the future of PA education and practice worldwide.
As the conference came to a close, Dr. Jenna Rolfs, dean of Lynchburg’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences, reflected on the success of the event.
“Thank you all for being on campus,” she said. “This has been a wonderful conference. It’s been wonderful to see the energy and the impact that this is having on us as PAs in the profession globally.”
