An Insider’s View: Not Glamorous, But Important

Dawn Morton-Rias, EdD, PA-C
President

Each year there is a flurry of activity and excitement in the final weeks leading up to our Annual Education Forum. Faculty work diligently to complete their workshop presentations and reports for PAEA, while also attending to the details that will ensure that everything continues to operate smoothly while they are away from their programs. The PAEA staff and board of directors communicate regularly to complete the final aspects of planning and implementation. This year is no different. We are busy making the final preparations for what promises to be an informative, well-attended conference in beautiful Québec City. I, like most of you, look forward to the varied educational and networking opportunities that this conference provides. In addition to a wide assortment of presentations, workshops, and Faculty Development Institute and Research Institute skills sessions, the committee chairs and PA deans will be invited to special dialogue sessions to discuss unique aspects of their work. The Committee on Ethnic and Cultural Diversity will host a two-day strategic planning meeting to help shape future directions for the Association relative to its priority of fostering diversity. This year’s forum promises to exceed expectations in registration numbers, educational opportunities, and fun. I look forward to seeing you there!

As I reflect on my term as PAEA president, I am very proud to have been at the helm during the Association’s transition to independent management, its move to new office space, and its rebranding with a new name, logo, and
tagline. These changes are the result of a vision imparted by leaders who preceded me and were implemented by the hard work of the members of the Transition Task Force (TTF) and the PAEA staff. As a result of their leadership and insight, our Association is well positioned and in its rightful place as the national organization for physician assistant education. Like any culminating event, this accomplishment is noteworthy.

These are the outwards signs of change. But although less glamorous, what goes on behind the scenes is as important as the main event. Just as stagehands scurry around assembling sets and props, unnoticed by the audience, the board of directors and committees have worked diligently to improve the organization internally. A successful association must have a refined infrastructure and organizational management system to conduct business effectively, communicate with members and constituencies, respond to evolving trends in PA education, and negotiate with professional partners. I am proud to have guided the expansion of these aspects of the Association and pleased to have facilitated the recent development of our Governance Committee and the Committee on Data and Research. These two workgroups provide a vital service for the Association. The Governance Committee has been revising the Association bylaws, updating its policies and procedures, and clarifying selection and appointment procedures for committee chairs and liaisons — to name just a few of its activities. Our new Committee on Data and Research will help shape the research agenda for the Association, building upon the fine work of Bert Simon and his team in their production of the Annual Report. This committee will facilitate the expansion and acquisition of the empirical data necessary to inform discussion regarding PA education. Specific charges to this committee — and accomplishments of PAEA's other committees — are outlined in my annual report to the membership.

As I complete my term as president following the Annual Education Forum and turn over the reins to my able colleague, Anita Glicken, I am confident both in her leadership and in our position as an Association. The Association's outward appearance has changed and our “behind the scenes” infrastructure is solid. PAEA stands firmly on the threshold of the next phase of its development as an Association. I am grateful to have been a part of this production.

It has been an honor and privilege to serve the membership as the last president of APAP and the first president of PAEA. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues on the board of directors and our dedicated and talented staff for their unwavering commitment to our Association. As the expression goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and this is the case with PAEA as well. It takes a collaborative team of visionary leaders and an accomplished staff working in tandem to realize our goals. I am especially grateful for the energy, support, and counsel graciously shared with me during my tenure.

Thank you again for your support during this momentous time in PA education. See you in Québec.