HA-2300.4.1 An officially recognized specialty physician assistant organization shall be defined as a group of physician assistants that joins together in an association that represents a practice specialty and that meets the criteria for recognition.

Specialty organizations provide valuable information and insight about their specialty to AAPA membership and leadership.  Specialty organizations are not chartered, but remain an integral part of the complex framework that assures AAPA the maximum amount of knowledge and understanding of all issues involving PAs in that specialty.  Specialty organizations strengthen the PA profession through their liaisons with their medical and professional counterparts.  These relationships allow specialty organizations to partner with AAPA to effectively address challenges such as reimbursement, clinical practice, and regulation.[Adopted 2000 and amended 2004]  

HA-2300.4.2 A specialty organization may choose to apply to be officially recognized by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.  The American Academy of Physician Assistants recognizes the following specialties: 1) those holding the name of a board listed by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS); 2) those specialties under the boards of internal medicine, surgery, and psychiatry named as eligible for general or subspecialty certificates; and 3) those specialties under the Board of Preventive Medicine named as eligible for general certificates.  Only one organization per specialty will be recognized. [Adopted 1997, amended 1998, reaffirmed 2003] 

HA-2300.4.3 The House of Delegates has the sole authority for recognizing a physician assistant specialty organization. 

The Constituent Relations Committee (CRC) shall review the completed application and will present a resolution to the House of Delegates.  To be considered for recognition, the specialty organization shall: 
1.      Submit the appropriate AAPA application to the Constituent Relations Committee (CRC).
2.      Have a minimum of 5 members.
3.      Submit the bylaws of the organization for review by the CRC.
[Adopted 1997, reaffirmed 2002, amended 2007] 

HA-2300.4.4 Specialty PA organization members are encouraged to be AAPA fellow members.  Only those specialty organization members who are fellow members in good standing of AAPA may participate in issues relating to AAPA such as voting for AAPA delegates, submitting resolutions, or representing the specialty PA organization in the AAPA governance structure. [Adopted 1997, amended 2000, reaffirmed 2005] 

HA-2300.4.5 All officers of an officially recognized specialty PA organization are encouraged to be and remain fellow members in good standing of AAPA.  Only those specialty PA organization officers who are fellow members in good standing of AAPA may participate in issues relating to AAPA such as voting for AAPA delegates, submitting resolutions, or representing the specialty organization in the governance structure. [Adopted 1997, amended 2000, reaffirmed 2005] 

HA-2300.4.6 AAPA specialty organizations are encouraged to involve physician assistant students in their leadership activities and encouraged to confer full voting privileges upon student board members in their bylaws.[Adopted 2004] 

HA-2300.4.7 The House of Delegates may withdraw the official recognition of a specialty PA organization in the event of any action by the specialty PA organization that is in conflict with AAPA’s vision or mission.  Delegates from the specialty organizations that have had their recognition withdrawn will not be seated at the House of Delegates.[Adopted 1997, amended 2000 and 2005]   

HA-2300.4.8 At the start of the annual meeting of the House of Delegates, the Constituent Relations Committee will present a credentials report regarding the status of all specialty organizations.[Adopted 2005] HA-2300.4.9 The appropriate committee shall review the recognition of each specialty PA organization on a five-year cycle and make recommendations to the House for its consideration.[Adopted 2005]

HA-2300.4.9 The appropriate committee shall review the recognition of each specialty PA organization on a five-year cycle and make recommendations to the House for its consideration. [Adopted 2005]

Name of Specialty Organization

Date organization was founded

To be considered for specialty organization recognition, bylaws are required.

If your organization has been incorporated, please attach copy of your articles of incorporation and state chartering acknowledgement or fax to 703/684-1924; attention COS.

Incorporation is not required to be considered for specialty organization recognition; under specific circumstances it is highly encouraged.  For more information on the benefits of incorporation contact COS at 703/836-2272.

Does the specialty organization have elected officers?

Yes

No

Are your fellow members required to be AAPA members?

Yes

No

How many members do you have?

Please state the goals and purposes of the specialty organization.

Please state why the specialty organization is applying for official recognition.

Contact Name

Position in organization

Address

Contact phone numbers for organization

E-mail address

This specialty organization understands that to maintain continued recognition with all privileges, the specialty organization’s actions must not conflict with AAPA’s vision or mission.

Name of person agreeing to comply with AAPA mission and vision and date of agreement

AAPA’s vision is that PAs will be worldwide leaders vital to providing and improving medical care of all people.

AAPA’s mission is to promote quality, cost-effective, and accessible health care and to promote the professional and personal development of physician assistants.

For more information regarding specialty organization status, contact Constituent Organization Services, 703/836-2272; scurtis@aapa.org.