The name of this organization is the Veterans Affairs Physician Assistant Association, herein known as VAPAA. VAPAA represents all Physician Assistants working in the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The mission of the VAPAA:
- The Veterans Affairs Physician Assistant Association (VAPAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the interest of physician assistants employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- VAPAA will endeavor to foster greater understanding of the goals and policies of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, of which VAPAA is and shall remain a constituent chapter.
- VAPAA is the only organization that exclusively represents PA's working in the VA system nationwide.
- VAPAA achieves this goal through collaborative relationships with other organizations with similar goals, working with the VHA administration and through promoting favorable legislative action by congress.
The goals of the VAPAA are:
1. To provide a forum for continuing education for VA Physician Assistants.
2. To increase the professional recognition of PAs within VHA.
3. To promote appropriate utilization of PAs within VHA
4. To encourage the establishment of physician assistant representation in the VHA organizational structure on national, VISN and local levels.
5. To encourage the VHA to increase academic support, tuition assistance for VA PA educational needs.
6. To represent VA PAs within the American Academy of Physician Assistants and other professional organizations.
7. To create and maintain an atmosphere for the exchange of professional information and ideas among the PAs within VHA.