The UNMC College of Allied Health Professions Physician Assistant (PA) Program celebrated PA Week earlier this month with Gov. Pete Ricketts at the Nebraska capital.
On Oct. 15, Gov. Ricketts signed a proclamation celebrating the PA profession and recognizing the contributions of the PA profession on the health care system.
Shaun Horak, interim program director, was asked to represent the Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants (NAPA) at the proclamation ceremony. NAPA represents PAs throughout the state and provides them with educational and professional opportunities.
Before the proclamation ceremony, members of the PA program had the opportunity to meet privately with Gov. Ricketts. Seven department members along with four students discussed the development of the UNMC program through funding from the legislature in 1971 (led by then-Sen. Loren Schmidt), the mission of the program to provide care for underserved Nebraska populations, and the relationship between the UNMC program and the military Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP).
“The proclamation ceremony and meeting with the governor was an incredible opportunity for the PA department and our profession,” Horak said. “The PA program and profession must strive to develop a stronger relationship with the local and national governing bodies.”