Health Equity and DEI Archives

Empowering the Next Generation of PAs, Honoring the Legacy of Joyce Nichols

The Joyce Nichols Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Physician Associate Foundation (PAF), is open to Black or African American PA students who demonstrate passion for the PA profession, commitment to serving their communities and future patients, and exceptional leadership potential. Read more about the five students who received the scholarship in 2024 and how it has helped shape their journeys.

February 3, 2025

Laurel Health Advisors, American Academy of Physician Associates Announce Contract to Study the Role of PAs in Enhancing Healthcare Accessibility and Equity

Today, Laurel Health Advisors announced its contract, awarded by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), to conduct a groundbreaking study evaluating how physician associates/assistants (PAs) contribute to improving healthcare accessibility and equity across the United States.

November 21, 2024

PA Lavette Shirley Elee Co-Founded a Women’s Health Nonprofit to Provide Vital Education to Underserved Populations

Lavette Shirley Elee is raising awareness about breast cancer and other women’s health topics through the Women’s Health and Resilience Foundation, an organization she founded with her two best friends to fill gaps in health literacy and improve patient outcomes, primarily for underserved populations.

October 24, 2024

PA Student Juliana Feeney Aims to Boost Workforce Diversity by Educating Younger Generations

By reaching students as early as possible, Juliana Feeney hopes to move the needle toward more diversity among PAs. With a grant from nccPA Health Foundation, she is publishing a children’s book, “El Heroico Asociado Médico” (The Hero Physician Associate), to help educate the healthcare providers of the future.

October 11, 2024

Brigadier General Bill Soliz Reaches Professional Milestone by Becoming the First Active-Duty PA to Hold the Rank of General

On May 11, 2024, Bill Soliz, PA-C, DMSc, and his family attended a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was promoted to Brigadier General—a milestone for the PA profession. Brig. Gen. Soliz shares his background and the journey that led him to this momentous achievement.

October 3, 2024

AAPA Announces Kimberly Williams, MPP, as Inaugural Vice President, Health Equity & DEI

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) has announced that Kimberly Williams, MPP, will serve as the organization’s inaugural Vice President of Health Equity & DEI.

September 30, 2024

Opening Doors, One Classroom at a Time

During AAPA 2024, two Project Access sessions took place at local Houston schools to introduce students from minority and underserved communities to the PA profession and encourage them to explore becoming a PA. Learn how you can host an event in your community!

July 11, 2024

PA Jona Tanguay Takes a Leading Role in Boosting Equality for LGBTQ+ Patients and Providers

Improving quality of care for patients and advocating for equity among health professionals are seemingly two different objectives. For Jona Tanguay, MMSc, PA-C, AAHIVS, medical program lead for substance use disorder treatment at Whitman-Walker Health, the two goals go hand in hand—especially when they pertain to people who identify as LGBTQ+.

June 17, 2024

2024 PA Student of the Year Advocates for Inclusivity and Interprofessional Collaboration

Jade O. Norman, MHS, is the 2024 recipient of the PA Student of the Year Award. A PA student at Meharry Medical College, Norman is passionate about health equity and is Director of Community Engagement for the nation’s first medical concierge service for lower socioeconomic families

May 16, 2024

Health Equity and DEI

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