|
Moving
Home: Longtime Staffer Hatcher Leaves APAP
By Steven Lane
APAP Programs Manager Nikki Hatcher has left APAP after
more than four years of service to the Association, and more than
six years of working with PAs. Nikki has returned to her hometown
of St. Louis, Missouri, to be near her family. Her last day working
for APAP was August 3. Her experience working with medical educators
will help her in her new position with KV Pharmaceutical Company,
as executive assistant to the vice president, pharmaceutical division.
"I know I'll always look back fondly on the great experience I gained
with APAP," she says, "and on the many wonderful people I worked with
over the years. I have a lot of good friends among the staff and members,
and even though I'll be moving to a different job and a different
state, I know I'll keep in touch."
Nikki joined the Association staff in May 1997 from
the American Academy of Physician Assistants and gradually assumed
a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of meeting planning
and program management. She oversaw all logistical planning for APAP's
two annual meetings, and worked with the Education Committee on the
proposal review process and selecting content. She also provided management
support for the APAP Faculty Development Institute, the PACKRAT and
GRADRAT self-assessment exams, and the PATH consultation service.
She was just the third full-time APAP staff member hired, and her
years with APAP were ones during which the Association grew at a rapid
rate, as the number of programs increased and APAP brought many new
functions into the national office. The Association now has five full-time
staff positions.
Nikki will be remembered fondly by many staff and leaders,
for her bright smile and engaging personality as well as for her professionalism
and management abilities. APAP President Gloria Stewart remembers
the early days of her involvement with APAP leadership: "When I first
became involved with the organization, Nikki was there to help, and
later as chair of the Education Committee, I could not have found
a more dedicated individual to help me in performing my new responsibilities.
She was at the top of my speed dial! APAP will miss Nikki' s professionalism
and work ethic. I know I speak for the rest of the board as well in
wishing Nikki all the best in her new job. I will miss her." APAP
Executive Director Timi Agar Barwick said, "With a small staff like
we have, the relationships between team members assume a great importance.
Nikki was a highly valued member of our team, and a true colleague
and friend. I am certainly looking for her qualities in the individual
we select to fill her position."
Also feeling the hometown pull and leaving the staff
in August was Leigh Covington, who worked with Nikki on meeting planning
and other projects for the past year. Leigh has returned to her home
state of Alabama. APAP wishes both of them the best in their future
careers and lives.
Steven Lane will also be moving on shortly —
to a new job with the AAPA in early September. Individuals have been
hired to fill all three vacant positions and over the next two weeks
the APAP staff will return to its full complement of five people.
The new hires will join Executive Directer Timi Agar Barwick and Coordinator
Eileen Evans.
|
