For Immediate Release:
October 30, 2009
Brooke Braun
American Academy of Physician Assistants
703-836-2272 ext. 3502
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American Academy of Physician Assistants Applauds Senate Confirmation of Dr. Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General
WASHINGTON—The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), representing approximately 75,000 clinically practicing physician assistants (PAs) across the country, commends the United States Senate confirmation of Dr. Regina Benjamin as surgeon general.
“Dr. Benjamin has shown a career-long dedication to eliminating health disparities and preventable illness,” said AAPA President Stephen Hanson. “As surgeon general, she will bring a new perspective to the delivery of health care that very closely aligns with the policies and philosophies of the PA profession.”
Benjamin, a family practice doctor, has spent most of her career serving patients at a rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala. In addition to her work with the underserved, she has long demonstrated support and understanding of PA profession. Currently, she employs and works closely with a PA and AAPA member at the La Batre Rural Health Clinic. Most recently, Benjamin was featured as a keynote speaker at a February 2009 AAPA conference for constituent organization leaders during her tenure as Chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards in 2008-2009. She spoke about the physician-PA team, the important roles of professional organizations working together, the initiatives of the Federation that were important to PAs and PA practice, and the work to be done by all health professionals to assure access to care and the elimination of disparities of all kinds.
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The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national professional association that represents PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the armed forces and federal services. Founded in 1968, AAPA works to increase the professional and personal growth of the entire PA workforce by providing comprehensive support and advocacy for physician assistants so that they may, in turn, provide patients with increased access to quality, cost-effective health care. Learn more at www.aapa.org.
