History + Facts of the PA Profession for interviews

Where was the first graduating class of the PA profession?

Duke University PA program on October 6, 1967.

When was AAPA established

In 1968 it was established and incorporated in NC

Why was it created

To improve and expand + In the mid-1960s, physicians and educators recognized there was a shortage of primary care physicians.

Who put together the first class of PA program ?

Eugene A. Stead Jr., MD, of the Duke University Medical Center, put together the first class of PAs in 1965.

He selected four Navy Hospital Corpsmen who had received considerable medical training during their military service.

PA - Vietnam War?

Vietnam War question is a great question, because so many came back with lots of combat medic experience, more than a nurse, EMT etc but less then a doctor. 1978 – 42 percent of 4,500 practicing PAs in U.S. have previous military experience. The 4 first PAs were Navy corpsman. It was a combo of medic training and Dr. Stead seeing a shortage in rural areas.

In fact a large part of the ethos in our profession is derived from army medics and corpsmen coming back from Vietnam and becoming PAs.

The experience these people brought with them as dustoff medics and paramedics is what fostered trust to test out the PA role, and eventually support (and success) for the PA profession. It’s also why historically PA programs required a lot of patient care hours (and still require more than many healthcare programs).

Like most things the pendulum swings the other way after a while, but in terms of attitude/work ethic etc. generally speaking, that framework and the military medic ethos shaped the first PA programs (and in turned was passed on to future PAs).

That’s why you see combat medic statues at some of the older PA programs and PA organization buildings.

Who was the first female PA and when ?

Joyce Nichols - graduated from Duke Uni - was also the first African American

fun fact she used to work as a LPN

she advocated and took responsibility for establishing the AAPA Minority Affairs Committee, and chaired the committee initially. Overtime she became a matriarch and role model for African-Americans and other minorities in the PA profession.

When is Dr. Eugene Stead birthday?

Born: October 6, 1908, United States

Died: June 12, 2005 (age 96 years), Bullock, NC

when is pa week?

October 6-12