Not every PA can commit the same amount of time or energy to the PSPA but every PA can do something to help the PA profession and ultimately the patients that we serve.
Here is our TOP TEN LIST of how
you can make a difference.
See how many you can do!
| 10. | Join or renew your membership in the PSPA—Your membership allows us to have a strong professional organization to promote the physician/PA team model of practice. Encourage your colleagues to join or renew as well. |
| 9. | Be the best clinical PA you can be. Your expertise in clinical practice will gain the respect of your patients and the medical professionals around you and clear the way for the most effective use of the Physician/PA team. Consider attending the PSPA Conference or Regional CME programs to keep up to date with the latest in clinical medicine. |
| 8. | Mentor a PA student. Proficient new graduates promote our profession and help your cause in the long run. Contact the PA Program nearest you to help educate the future members of our profession. |
| 7. | Contribute to the PSPA Political Action Committee (PAC). Because of the PSPA’s financial stability, the Board of Directors voted against a dues increase at the Feb. 2004 BOD meeting. In lieu of a dues increase, the Board encourages all PAs to contribute to the PAC. By law the PSPA can support the activities of the PAC, but only your personal donations may be contributed to a political campaign. The PSPA has an aggressive legislative and regulatory agenda and the PAC helps to “Positively Change Legislation Through Education”. |
| 6. | Contribute to the PSPA’s charity effort. Each year the PSPA chooses a philanthropic effort in the host conference city. This is just another way for PAs to make a difference in their communities. Check back to the PSPA’s website for details as they emerge. |
| 5. | Educate others about your profession. Take every opportunity to educate other health care professionals and the public about the benefits of the Physician/PA team model of practice. Make a commitment to write one article for a local newspaper or organization’s newsletter. Distribute information to one person or group about the PA profession. Doing this is easy if you check out the public relations information that the PSPA offers. |
| 4. | Be an advocate for your patients. Take a stand in your community on issues that affect your patients. Examples may be promoting healthy school lunches in your school district or supporting healthy community initiatives such as smoke free public places. Participate in local charity or health awareness efforts. Run for local office or school board. Let everyone know that PAs are out there making positive changes in their communities. |
| 3. | Contact your Legislators. Use the Legislative Center to find out who your state and federal legislators are and what important legislation is pending. Meet with your legislators at his or her own office to introduce yourself and the PA profession. Then watch the legislative center and PSPA’s Government Affairs page and contact your legislators when important issues arise that affect our profession. Always send a copy of any correspondence to the PSPA so we can follow up. |
| 2. | Volunteer for a PSPA Committee. The PSPA committees do invaluable work for the Society and the PA profession. New members and new ideas are always needed. Contact the Committee Chairperson of the various committees to get more information or to volunteer. |
| 1. | Run for a PSPA Office. Maybe you are happy with the direction that the PSPA is going and would like to keep that momentum going. Maybe you think something isn’t being addressed as much as it should be and we need to change our priorities. Either way, the PSPA needs good strong leaders to guide the organization into the future. Now may be the time for you to “step up to the plate” and run for PSPA office! |