Joy Dugan, PA-S, CAPA Student Representative

Dear Fellow CAPA Student Members:

As the 2011-2012 CAPA Student Representative serving on the CAPA Board of Directors, I will commit my time to representing you and encouraging students to become more involved in CAPA.  As Student Representative, I hope to work closely with the student leaders from each of California’s PA programs.  I hope we can all learn from each other through CAPA’s Facebook page updates and bimonthly CAPA News articles.  I encourage students to consider writing articles for the CAPA News, letting PAs from across the state know what is going on within your program.

It will be a pleasure meeting fellow CAPA student members at the upcoming CAPA Conferences in Palm Springs. Please introduce yourself to me and the other CAPA Board members at the 35th Annual CAPA Conference (September 22-25) and CAPA at Napa Conference (February 25).

The theme of the upcoming CAPA Conference in Palm Springs is “Looking To The Next 15 Years.”  This will be CAPA’s 35th Anniversary Conference.  This is a great theme for students, since we will be the leaders of the PA profession in 15 years.  As students, I believe we can actively participate in shaping the future of the PA profession.  We can ensure PA practice in California will be respected and a part of the health care system starting as students within our communities through mentoring prospective PA students and volunteering. 

I strongly believe a PA student’s education does not end in the classroom.  As a third year PA-student at Touro University, my best advice is to try to take advantage of opportunities outside the classroom.  Learn from practicing PAs, participate in community service events, educate yourself on PA practice legislation, and become involved with CAPA.  Good luck with the school year and please keep in touch!

Sincerely yours,

Joy Dugan, PA-S
CAPA Student Representative, 2011-2012