Competent, Versatile and the Texture of Compassion

At the CAPA Conference we always celebrate all that makes PAs special. We are all unique and bring our interests, training, experience, style and diversity to the table. CAPA members practice in each and every specialty and in all practice settings. What we know is there is no typical PA. At this year’s CAPA Conference (October 4-7, 2012), we shone a light (a video camera, really) on over 225 PAs who visited the Fabric of the PA Profession Video Booth. Each video was sewn together to create a peek into the wide variety of health care services PAs provide. You will be inspired and surprised by the rich diversity of PAs who gathered at the CAPA Conference – by the FABRIC OF THE PA PROFESSION. Over 40 years ago, the creators of what was then called the new health professional intended the American PA to be flexible and contributory in all aspects of medicine. For them, a dynamic, flexible clinician who differed from a doctor was a concept to be promoted. The PA of the new century seems to have lived up to that measure. Dr. Stead, founder of the profession would be very proud of the richness and beauty of the FABRIC OF THE PA PROFESSION in 2012. At the CAPA Conference we celebrated PA Day, October 6, which is Dr. Stead’s birthday and also the date the first class of PAs graduated in 1967. Our thanks to all of the PAs who visited the Fabric of the PA Profession Video Booth and who provide care in all specialties and work settings.