AAPA Expands PA Week 2026 with Nationwide Events and Scholarship Drive
Event summary
- AAPA announced PA Week 2026, running October 6-12, featuring nationwide events and initiatives.
- Events include networking gatherings in Seattle, Phoenix, Charleston, and Los Angeles.
- PA-led school visits in Seattle, Dallas, and Denver to introduce students to the profession.
- Physician Associate Foundation launching scholarship campaign to support future PAs.
The big picture
AAPA's expanded PA Week 2026 initiatives reflect the growing importance of PAs in the healthcare workforce, with projections showing faster growth than most occupations. The organization's focus on community engagement and scholarship funding aligns with broader industry trends toward expanding access to care and addressing workforce shortages. With over 200,000 PAs practicing across all medical specialties, AAPA's efforts to strengthen the profession's pipeline are strategically significant.
What we're watching
- Profession Growth
- Whether AAPA's outreach efforts will accelerate the projected faster-than-average growth of the PA profession.
- Funding Impact
- The pace at which scholarship fundraising will address financial barriers for aspiring PAs.
- Community Engagement
- How effective the school visits and local events will be in attracting new talent to the PA profession.
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