AAPA White Paper Explores the 60-Year Evolution of the PA Profession, Present Challenges, and Opportunities to Change Healthcare Delivery

AAPA White Paper Explores the 60-Year Evolution of the PA Profession, Present Challenges, and Opportunities to Change Healthcare Delivery

Paper developed in collaboration with more than 30 PAs and PA student leaders

Alexandria, Va. (December 10, 2025) - Today, the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) unveiled a new white paper, "Physician Associates: A Modern Evolution 1965-2035."

Developed in collaboration with more than 30 PA and PA student thought leaders, the paper synthesizes the historical evolution, current landscape, and future directions of the PA profession.

"As one of the fastest growing groups of healthcare providers, the PA profession continues to expand its footprint in patient care despite roadblocks that current law, regulations, and common health system policies often create - rules that are relics from the past," said the primary author Jennifer M. Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA who serves as AAPA's Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of PA Foundation.

"By examining the origins of the profession and detailing how the profession and healthcare has evolved over time, the authors of this paper establish a compelling case for eliminating barriers to PA care and what is at stake for patients if we do not."

Several members of the AAPA staff served as secondary authors including:

• Joe Ciavarro, DMSc, MBA, PA-C; Director, PA Professional Practice
• Sondra DePalma, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA; Vice President of Reimbursement and Professional Practice
• Tiffany Jordan; Assistant Director, CMO Special Projects
• Marie-Michèle Léger, MPH, PA-C, Emeritus; Director, Clinical Education
• Noël Smith; Senior Director, PA and Industry Research & Analysis

"Physician Associates: A Modern Evolution 1965-2035" is available on AAPA.org.

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Media Contact: Jenni Roberson, 703.380.2764

About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
AAPA is the national membership organization for all physician associates/assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed, board-certified clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org and engage through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.