A Message From Your President Katie Swenson

Friends and Colleagues,

As we begin a new leadership season, I reflect on all we’ve accomplished this past year and am beyond impressed by the talent and tenacity of our Physician Assistant (PA) community in Utah.

The beginning of 2023 started off strong with our organization’s inaugural UAPA Town Hall in which we learned more about your interests and priorities, and shared the Board’s strategic vision for our rebrand, plans for this year’s Legislative Session, and steps towards state alignment with the national ‘Physician Associate’ title change. We also had a robust discussion around continued progress with PA modernization and our One Utah Health Collaborative activities. PA Day on the Hill, orchestrated by Legislative Chair Josh Winters, was extremely well-attended and we were grateful for the opportunity to host distinguished guests and speakers: Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, Senator Curt Bramble, Dr. Timothy McCreary (former UAPA President) and Viet Le (UAPA President-Elect). With Senator Bramble’s steady support, the UAPA experienced another highly successful Legislative Session with the passage of Senate Bill 35 (SB 35), Reciprocal Professional Licensing Amendments, and Senate Bill 36 (SB 36), Professional Licensing Amendments. Once again, Utah leads the nation in being an early adopter of PA reform as the first state to pass the PA Licensure Compact (SB 35). SB 36 also moves to further PA practice by clarifying supervision requirements for PAs performing cosmetic medical procedures in accordance with SB 27, Physician Assistant Modernization Act Amendments, passed in 2021.  

As 2023 progresses, our organization continues to gain momentum with increasing membership and engagement. This year’s UAPA Red Rock CME Conference in St. George provided a wonderful learning experience and opportunity to commune with colleagues and students representing a diverse clinical background and geography, and included those traveling from: Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and New Mexico . Throughout the conference, UAPA convened both the quarterly Board meeting as well as our Member meeting, during which we revealed our new logo that honors a rich heritage while realizing future potential. Heartfelt congratulations to our stellar annual award winners who provide us inspiration as model physician and PA caregivers. We look forward to expanding the scope of our conference next year- note it’s not too late to claim your 2023 CME Conference credit online!

As our organization continues to evolve, we are excited to welcome new Board leaders and Committee Chairs. Continuing to support our organization as Immediate Past-President, I am also enthusiastic about leading meaningful change within Utah as a newly appointed member of the One Utah Health Collaborative Innovation Advisory Board. Each and every one of us plays an invaluable role in shaping the future of healthcare. Whether your passion is direct patient care, research, education, or leadership, there is an opportunity for you to contribute and continue to strengthen the role of PAs in team-based care.

Regardless of your practice site or clinical domain, the care you deliver serves as an anchor of physical, emotional, and mental well-being within our communities. It has been an absolute privilege serving as President for such a distinguished group and I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the years ahead.

Thank you for your outstanding partnership and deep commitment to bettering the lives of others.      

 

All my best,

 

Katie Swenson, DMSc, MBA, MSc, MPAS, PA-C

President

Utah Academy of PAs