Happy Summer. We hope you stay safe, cool and have a fun summer.

Oregon forming a Universal Health Plan Governance Board with deadline to apply of June 20th to get interested PAs to apply to serve in the board. 

This position would complete the term of a recently vacant health care seat through January 1st, 2029, and would be eligible for appointment to a second term. Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be received by June 20th, 2025.

Who Qualifies to be PA of the Year?

Nominees for PA of the Year should have a history of demonstrating exceptional service towards patients and/or the PA profession itself. Such PAs have gone beyond routine work in the practice or the hospital to increase patient’s access to care. In promoting the PA profession, the PA may be a leader in national, state or local organizations and institutes. The PA may have worked successfully with other healthcare providers to promote the PA as an integral member of the healthcare team. Nominees for PA of the Year can self-nominate, or can be nominated by PAs, PA students, physicians, patients, friends, family members, colleagues or coworkers.

Nominees for OSPA's PA of the Year award must meet the following criteria

1. Fellow or Active OSPA member in good standing
2. Fellow member of the AAPA in good standing
3. A resident of ORegon OR currently practicing as a PA in the state of Oregon, employed by the Federal Government and working at an oregon facility or employed as faculty at an Oregon PA program.
4. Not a current member of OSPA Board of Directors, an Oregon House of Delegate representative or an OSPA Committee Chair

The deadline for nominations is August 1st

Elections will open at the very end of August – please double check that your membership is current with both OSPA and AAPA, as only paid members who are current both in Oregon and nationally are eligible to vote. 

Are you interested in being a future leader of OSPA? This year, we will elect one Director at Large, two Delegates to the House of Delegates. Secretary and treasurer. The deadline for nominations is August 1st.

Kimberly Felder, PA-C, MCR graduated in 2001 from Pacific University with a Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies and later completed a Masters of Clinical Research at OHSU in 2014. She is currently an assistant professor at OHSU School of Medicine where she helped create and expand the state's first Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) programs. PA Felder currently focuses on transitions of care from hospital to home and provides outpatient follow-up for children who require prolonged oral or IV antibiotics for treatment of serious infections. Ms. Felder is a founding member of the Oregon Nurses Association Advanced Practice United (ONA-APU), the nation's largest union of advanced practice providers launched at OHSU in March 2024. As a bargaining team member, she is advocating for improved APP working conditions, salary commensurate with APP education and expertise, and is passionate about advancing the next generation of Physician Associates, Nurse Practitioners, and Certified Nurse Midwives. Without such advocacy, patients and their families will face further delays in access to quality medical care and adverse healthcare outcomes - a reality that none of us want for all who can benefit from the essential care we provide.

Join a Committee Today!

We’d Love for You to Get Involved!

Your voice matters, and your participation can make a real difference. We’re currently looking for enthusiastic and community-minded individuals to join our Membership Committee. This is a great opportunity to share your ideas, help shape the future of our organization, and connect with others who are passionate about making a positive impact.

The committee meets on the last Thursday of every month at 8:00 PM. Whether you're new or have been involved for years, we welcome your input and energy.

Come join us—we can’t wait to hear from you and work together

Kimberly Lovato, the current Physician Associate representative on the Oregon Rural Health Coordinating Council, has served with dedication for several years. As her term has reached its limit, we are now seeking a new Physician Associate who practices in a rural area and is passionate about advancing rural healthcare. This is a valuable opportunity for a PA committed to making a meaningful impact on rural health policy and access in Oregon by contributing their insights and expertise to this important council.

Please contact admin@oregonpa.org if you are interested in serving.

Your voice matters—and your dues help amplify it. it's time to renew your commitment to advancing the PA profession in Oregon. A portion of these dues—25.5%—directly supports OSPA's advocacy efforts, including key legislative wins like achieving Collaborative Practice and becoming the first state to be legally recognized as Physician Associates. Your membership is more than a renewal—it’s an investment in the future of our profession. Thank you for standing with us and helping drive meaningful change. Let’s continue building momentum together. Renew your membership today and help shape the future of the PA profession in Oregon!

Date: Monday, June 17th

Location: Jake's Grill | Portland, Oregon

Time: 6:30PM

This educational event will explore practical approaches to identifying and diagnosing hypercortisolism, with a focus on improving clinical outcomes through earlier recognition and intervention. We encourage all interested PAs to attend and engage in this valuable learning opportunity.

Download the Flyer Here

Oregon Society of Physician Associates

5727 Baker Way NW, Suite #200
| Gig Harbor, WA 98332

503-650-5864

Admin@OregonPA.org