National Physician Assistant Week will have added significance this year as PAs and PA students celebrate 40 years of the physician assistant profession. On October 6, 1967, the first physician assistants graduated from Duke University. Today, approximately 64,000 PAs are providing essential medical and surgical services to people throughout the United States and internationally.

As it grows in the United States, the PA profession continues to influence quality health care in other countries, several of which are developing their own educational programs following the model of the American PA profession.

To celebrate the creation of the profession, many constituent organizations, PA student societies, and individual PAs will host community activities and public information programs throughout October. State and local government officials will participate by issuing proclamations and statements in support of the PA profession.

Hug a PA today! :)








from: http://www.aapa.org/newsroom/pa-week.html