Happy Holidays from OSPA!

The Board met in November and advanced several priorities shaping OSPA’s year ahead:

• Leadership & Strategic Direction: President Heather Robbins outlined key goals for the year, including growing volunteer engagement, strengthening relationships with Oregon’s PA programs, and continuing legislative efforts—most notably advancing independent PA practice in 2027.
• Board Member Goals: Proposed priorities include stronger student and rural PA engagement, expanded private practice and hospital membership, improved visibility within PA education programs, and increased member connection through events, communications, and digital content. Social media growth—especially on Instagram and through student-led initiatives—remains a focus.



More updates coming as OSPA continues to build community, advocacy strength, and statewide impact for Oregon PAs.

Nicole Switzer, PA-S

Nicole Switzer is a second-year Physician Associate student at Pacific University and an elected OSPA Student Board Representative, where she remains actively engaged in advocacy, policy, and advancing the PA profession in Oregon.

Outside the classroom and clinic, Nicole is happiest outdoors. She loves traveling and camping, hiking, kayaking, mushroom hunting, fishing, gardening, and attending concerts and music festivals with friends.

When she’s winding down, she gravitates toward favorite rewatchable films like Shrek, Holes, Across the Universe, 50 First Dates, and the Harry Potter series.

As an Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholar, Nicole plans to stay in Oregon and practice primary care in rural and underserved communities. Her training emphasizes teamwork, cultural competency, and social determinants of health, and she’s passionate about continuing to volunteer in her community beyond healthcare. She also stays involved with the Oregon Medical Education Foundation (OMEF), supporting education and future medical professionals across the state.

Fun facts: Nicole is a first-generation college student, an only child, collects vinyl records, and once helped build a cabin in the woods with her family before moving to Oregon for PA school.

We’re excited to spotlight Nicole and the energy she brings to OSPA.

The U.S. House has passed two bills that directly interfere with evidence-based medical care for transgender patients—particularly youth and low-income families.

• H.R. 3492 criminalizes clinicians who provide gender-affirming care to trans youth.
• H.R. 498 blocks access to gender-affirming care for Medicaid-insured trans youth.

These bills target care that is medically necessary, evidence-based, and supported by every major medical organization. They substitute political ideology for clinical judgment and place providers, patients, and families at risk.

As Physician Associates, we practice team-based, patient-centered medicine. Health care decisions belong in the exam room—not in Congress. Our voices matter.

In related news, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently canceled millions of dollars in federal grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which supported programs on infant health, rural care access, adolescent and mental health, early autism identification, and prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Pediatric leaders warn the cuts could negatively impact children and families nationwide.

For more context on recent federal action, see CNN’s coverage: the House has passed a bill criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors. Read more here.

Oregon Society of Physician Associates

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| Gig Harbor, WA 98332

503-650-5864

Admin@OregonPA.org