My vision is an organization that values input from all the members and evaluates the healthcare landscape to make the best decisions possible for the profession. I do think AAPA has been doing tremendous work on this front, and expanding communication and explaining the processes will further this cause. I want to foster those communication streams in both directions to promote understanding. As a potential House Officer, I seek to strengthen the bond between the Board and the House. My goal is for all to have the opportunity and feel that they can be heard in a respectful and welcoming place within the House. By unifying the PA voice, we can combat the misinformation about the profession and work on promoting it. The profession has a large healthcare issue that extends to the legislative world and limits our ability to practice to the full extent of our training. I would like to see the profession and AAPA continue to gain parity in the legislative world and continue to educate and promote PA positive legislation nationally through a consistent federal presence, promoting the great work PAs do every day and continuing the media campaign. We must also support our constituent organizations in achieving the same goals at the legislative level through leadership development, advocacy support, and listening to the needs of our members.

The values outlined in the AAPA strategic plan all resonate with my leadership style. First, Leadership and Service – I have been continuously dedicated to both AAPA and my state organization; by building up the presence of my state organization and recruiting passionate and talented PAs, we have improved state practice laws, allowing us to serve our patients better. These accomplishments could only be achieved by exemplifying the second value, Unity and Teamwork; I helped encourage and get others involved to achieve more than they thought possible. In my educational work, I have developed an interprofessional educational curriculum, but only through collaboration with many other healthcare professionals. This helps instill the value of having all healthcare professionals on the same team for PA students. These values lead well to supporting the strategic pillars of Partnering with a Purpose and Building a Movement. The better we understand each other, the more powerful growth and opportunities we can have. These pillars are not only extended outward, but they are something to guide how AAPA is run. With my experience in the House, I hope to bring that perspective and knowledge as a House Officer to delegates and encourage others to serve. Also, I want to bring a collaborative mindset to the board further to strengthen the bond between the House and the Board. Our outward success as an organization is predicted by our ability to work together within ourselves, leading to embracing the third pillar, Advancing the Core. I hope to bring my skills in grassroots leadership development to AAPA and the House to improve engagement and leadership development.