Thoughtful Ideas for Celebrating Physician Assistant Week
When Do We Celebrate National Physician Assistant Week?
Mark your calendars ahead of time and prepare your love and wholesome appreciation to all Physician Assistants in the nation. The National Physician Assistant Week occurs annually from October 6 to October 12. It was initially called the National Physician Assistant Day that took place every October 6. However, a day isn’t enough to express truly our gratitude for the professionals in that field, so it was turned into a week!
What is National Physician Assistant Week?
National Physician Assistants Week celebrates the contributions and the hard work of all physician assistants (PAs). It also allows us to show our gratitude for PAs, raise awareness of the profession, and inspire individuals to take up the career.
The whole week will highlight interesting facts and information about Physician Assistant Career and their essential contributions to healthcare. People can learn more about the profession, making it an excellent opportunity to encourage them and stir their interest in Physician Assistants’ everyday work.
Why Do We Celebrate Physician Assistant Week?
Here are cool facts and statistics about Physician Assistants that make them worthy of a week’s worth of celebration:
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that:
- There are more than 131,000 certified PAs working in the U.S.
- PAs care for more than 9 million patients every week.
Statistics from the American Academy of PAs highlights that patients think of PAs with the following:
- Ninety-three percent of patients consider PAs as trusted healthcare providers.
- Ninety-two percent of patients believe PAs make it easier to access healthcare.
- Ninety-one of patients say PAs improve the quality of healthcare.
Lastly, here’s how the PA profession ranks in the U.S. News & World Report's 100 Best Jobs of 2020 rankings:
- #3 in the 100 Best Jobs category
- #2 in the Best Healthcare Jobs category
- #3 in the Best STEM Jobs category
How to Celebrate National Physician Assistant Week?
It feels so great to be recognized and appreciated for the work that you do. It also gives you a sense of purpose and pride in your career. That is why it is vital to shower Physician Assistants all the love with grateful hearts during this eventful week. We've listed down below all the thoughtful ideas that you can do for Physician Assistants Week.
1. Participate in PA Student Service Week
According to the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the PA students in the United States offer their time and talents in helping others and making a positive impact in their communities during the week. They will participate in everything from canned food drives to charity runs and provide free health services to communities.
2. Do the Instagram Photo Challenge
The AAPA encourages their Instagram followers to take a photo to go along with their theme. All they have to do is print the photo challenge sign, take a photo using that day’s theme, upload your photo, tag @aapaorg, and use the #PAweek hashtag. Prizes will be given to the best photo per day. There will also be a grand prize for the one who participates each day of the photo challenge.
3. Participate in Op-Ed writing
Spread awareness of the profession by educating your community on how PAs contribute to the nation’s health. The week makes it a great time to submit an op-ed and encourage the community to talk to a PA and learn more about the profession. Check out AAPA's sample op-ed so you'll be inspired to write your own.
4. Encourage your legislators to recognize PA Week
You can formally submit a request to your legislators to do an official proclamation of PA Week in your area. It involves a formal public announcement or declaration done by local officials to commend individuals or to announce upcoming celebrations. The AAPA has resources that can help you solicit a proclamation to honor and recognize the contributions of the PA workforce in your community.
5. Hold a Community Event
You can host an event in your community to promote the profession, raise awareness of PAs, and help the locals. Careful planning is vital to conduct a great and successful event. Thus, the AAPA posted a guide in hosting a PA week. The event can be a simple catered lunch, a coffee run, or a mini celebration with a cake in the break room.
6. PA Gathering at the Plaza!
According to the AAPA, certified PAs and PA students from around the country will head to New York City and the set of the Today show on Monday, October 7. They will be at the plaza representing the profession. If you're a PA, go bring your white coat and meet up with other PAs.
7. Social Media Take Over
You can access the AAPA's PA Week 2020 Media Guide to help you share important public health information and social media posts. You can share their PA Week graphics on your social media accounts to educate your network about the PA Profession. Take note to use the #PAweek when you’re posting. You can also check out what your fellow certified PAs and PA students are sharing through the hashtag.
8. Celebrate PA Week with DrCatalyst
PA Week is a great time to honor the profession. Lighten the workload of your Physician Assistants through DrCatalyst's services that streamline all the processes of your following departments:
Have a Fun Physician Assistant Week
Raise awareness, honor your PAs, and most importantly, have fun with them! Don't limit your appreciation for them on a once-a-year occasion. Instead, try to incorporate it little by little every day with DrCatalyst.
If you want to learn more about how DrCatalyst can help you and your physician assistants, schedule a consultation with our specialists TODAY!
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