July 2003 Announcements

APAP Web Site Boasts New Look.

The APAP Web site has been updated and rearranged to provide easier access to resources and a more dynamic appearance. The Health Care Advisors Only link is a new feature. To accommodate the many pre-health advisors who refer prospective applicants to the PA programs, APAP is now making the PA Programs Directory available at no cost to advisors, who need only contact APAP staff for passwords.

EDUCATION SCHOLAR: The New Faculty Development Program for APAP Faculty

APAP’s Faculty Development Institute (FDI) announces The Education Scholar, a convenient and affordable way for PA program faculty to access a Web-based, quality series of faculty enrichment modules. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy developed the Education Scholar program, in conjunction with Western University of Health Sciences, and both serve as project partners for the seven-module curriculum. Each of the modules is self-paced, and once enrolled, participants will have an entire year to work with one or more of the modules. A few of the modules being offered are “Improving Learning Outcomes Through the Use of Active Learning Strategies”; “Student Assessment and Classroom Research”; and “Promoting Teaching/Learning Excellence in Your Institution.” Please go to http://www.educationscholar.org/ for more detailed information about the program or to register for the program modules. For more information about program content, contact Al Baggett; questions concerning registration should be sent to Geraldene Darden. Education Scholar will also be accessible from the APAP Web site.

AAPA Pamphlet Promotes PAs As a Solution to Physician Residents’ Reduced Hours

Ellen Rathfon, director of the AAPA Professional Affairs Divisions, has produced a promotional pamphlet, Reduced Resident Hours Call for Creative Solution: Hire Physician Assistants, developed in response to the 2003 ACGME mandate that limited the hours physician residents can work and to encourage the hiring of PAs. The pamphlet was brought to the attention of PA faculty attending APAP’s Hot Topics session at the Semiannual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, and members were in favor of its wide distribution.

The pamphlet was sent to PA program directors, physician residency directors, PAs practicing in teaching hospitals, and the CEOs of these hospitals. Copies were included in mailings to PA chapter presidents and presidents-elect, chapter legislative and reimbursement coordinators, committee and council members, and representatives to state regulatory authorities. It is available on the AAPA Web site at www.aapa.org/gandp/housestaff.pdf.

APAP Update - July 2003