STRENGTHENING the role of pas in louisiana

In December of 1977, a group of seven military physician assistants from Fort Polk, Louisiana, and one civilian PA trying to obtain privileges from the State Board of Medical Examiners held their first organizational meeting with the hopes of forming the Louisiana Academy of Physician Assistants. By March of 1978, the LAPA had formed, and in October of that year, the LAPA had incorporated. Those early meetings were attended by about a dozen PAs who saw the future of our profession in Louisiana. Over the years the organization grew, laws were challenged, and rules were rewritten. PAs were allowed to start practicing outside of the military, government, or public service arenas, and the numbers gradually grew. In 2004, the state legislature passed Louisiana's PA prescriptive authority act, and there are now over 1,500 licensed PAs in Louisiana with those numbers growing every month. Our annual CME conference draws 150 to 200 registrants who come to enjoy the good weather, superb educational events, and the eclectic nightlife of the French Quarter. The LAPA now has over 600 members, and the Academy continues to work with and for the PAs of Louisiana. 

• Public Education: The Academy actively promotes the concept of the PA as an important part of the health care team and works to increase the profession's visibility.

• Leadership Opportunities: LAPA members are invited to play an active role in the future of the PA profession by becoming active in one of the committees and/or running for office.
  
  
• Student Support: LAPA has always taken an interest in the future of the PA profession by encouraging and facilitating student membership. Students can attend the CME conferences at a reduced rate.
  
  
• CME Conferences: LAPA is known for its high quality CME conference which is held each year in September. Respected professionals and health policy makers present information on cutting edge medical topics, procedures and issues. Members attend the CME conferences at a reduced rate.
  
  
• Networking: The Academy's conferences, committees, and newsletters all provide excellent opportunities for PAs from different regions to meet professionally and socially.
  
  
• Newsletter: The LAPA newsletter is the primary source of information to physician assistants in Louisiana. The newsletter provides up-to-date information on LAPA activities, legislative on goings, and CME updates.
  
  
• PA Jobs:  The LAPA website provides a resource, as does our link to on this website, to look for jobs and or advertise listings for PAs for jobs located within the state.

• Fellow Members: A LAPA Fellow Member is an ARC-PA-accredited PA program graduate or NCCPA-certified Physician Assistant who is also a Fellow Member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Rights to vote and hold office in the LAPA are restricted to LAPA Fellow Members in good standing.
  
  
• Associate Members: Associate Members shall include those physician assistants who are eligible for AAPA Fellow Membership, but chose not to join the AAPA. Also those physician assistants who have been granted the title of physician assistant under the auspices of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners are eligible for Associate Membership. Associate Members can not vote or hold office.
  
  
• Dual Members: Dual Members shall include those physician assistants who are Fellow Members of the AAPA and another constituent chapter recognized by the AAPA. Dual Members cannot vote or hold office.
  
  
• Affiliate Members: Affiliate Members shall consist of physicians (supervising and non-supervising), administrators and faculty members of any AAPA/LAPA recognized Physician Assistant Training Program. The LAPA will also accept, as affiliate members, any interested health care individual subject to the Board of Directors approval. Affiliate Members cannot vote or hold office.

• PA/MD Team: The PA will receive LAPA Fellow status only if they are an AAPA Fellow. If not, they will receive Associate member status which does not include voting privileges. The MD will receive an Affiliate Member status.

• Military Members: A Military Member is a current AAPA member (Fellow) with current or previous military service.

• PA Student Members: PA students enrolled in any ARC-PA approved PA training program are eligible for student membership in LAPA.

• Pre-PA Student Members: This membership option is for undergraduate students interested in the PA profession.

• Honorary Members: People of distinction who have rendered outstanding or notable service to the LAPA or are those who have retired from the profession.