News & Press

Statement by the NYSSPA Board of Directors

Wed, 1 Jun 2022 19:23:00 GMT

Our deepest sympathies go out to the families who lost loved ones and to the community of Uvalde, Texas deeply affected by this senseless act of violence. Gun violence is a public health crisis that continues to terrorize communities throughout the United States. NYSSPA joins the outcry for our government leaders to declare gun violence the Public Health Crisis it is.

We reaffirm our commitment to work together to improve access to physical and mental health services for all New Yorkers, tearing down barriers to equality while addressing social determinants of health. Our mission remains to work to make a difference in our communities.

Statement by the NYSSPA Board of Directors on Mass Shooting in Buffalo, New York

Tue, 17 May 2022 18:19:00 GMT

Our deepest sympathies go out to families who lost loved ones and the entire Buffalo community that was affected by the recent senseless act of violence. Racism has no place in our communities, but it continues to impact the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers. NYSSPA stands against hate and reaffirms our commitment to work together to tear down barriers to health care, equality, and address social determinants of health. Our mission remains, and we owe it to the victims to make a difference in these communities.

NYSSPA Statement on PA Scope of Practice

Mon, 7 Mar 2022 15:32:00 GMT

PAs are committed to team-based practice and filling healthcare workforce shortages across the state, but PAs CANNOT serve as other professions under Executive Order (EO) 4. Section 7 of §6542 of New York Education Law clearly states:

“Nothing in this article, or in article thirty-seven of the public health law, shall be construed to authorize physician assistants to perform those specific functions and duties specifically delegated by law to those persons licensed as allied health professionals under the public health law or this chapter.”

EO4 allows PAs to practice “appropriate to their education, training and experience without oversight from a supervising physician” and does not override section 7. Certain functions, like starting IVs, phlebotomy, etc. which intersect with other professions but are within the scope of PAs can be performed by PAs; however, assuming roles strictly under the scope of another profession is in violation of Section 7. Roles specific to surgical technicians, registered nurses, and other health care professions CANNOT be filled by PAs under the EO, and PA medical malpractice insurance coverage may not cover PAs when practicing outside of their license. For more information, see our statement that PAs should not serve as surgical technicians. If your institution needs clarification on this manner, please contact NYSSPA's Legislative Chair.

Download a copy of this statement.

NYSSPA thanks Assemblymember Richard Gottfried for his support to the PA Profession

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:39:52 GMT

NYSSPA wishes Assemblymember Richard Gottfried all the best in his retirement and thanks him for his years of support to the PA Profession

Assemblymember Richard Gottfried’s 52 years of service in the state legislature is legendary. He has authored hundreds of laws addressing a myriad of health care issues affecting all New Yorkers. From being a vocal advocate for single payer insurance to understanding the roles and contributions of various stakeholders and providers, Mr. Gottfried has always championed patients’ access to timely, quality health care.

The New York State Society of PAs is especially appreciative of Chair Gottfried’s understanding acknowledgement of the robust education, training, and scope of PA practice. His innovative thinking and forward vision lead to sponsorship and support of legislation allowing PAs to practice at the top of their license. As Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, he sponsored legislation enacted to include PAs throughout the law wherever physicians are mentioned (Public Health Law § 3704) reducing barriers to patients’ access to the quality care provided by PAs across the state.

Mr. Gottfried’s announcement of his retirement marks a pivotal time for the patients in NYS. Mr. Gottfried’s knowledge of the many laws, regulations, and policies that impact healthcare is second to none. He will be missed. NYSSPA wishes Richard Gottfried Godspeed in his retirement.

Celebrate PA Week with NYSSPA Membership

Wed, 6 Oct 2021 15:03:56 GMT

Join NYSSPA to Advance NY PA Practice

NYSSPA promotes and empowers all PAs as integral members and leaders of healthcare teams, including advocating for EO4. There are over 19,000 PAs in New York State, and NYSSPA is the only organization that contracts with a dedicated lobbyist to represent you in Albany.

Only NYSSPA members directly impact our PA collective voice and we need to be louder!

FOR PA WEEK ONLY - Join or renew with any membership between October 6th -12th, and be entered to win a complimentary membership extension:

1st will receive a 4-year extension
2nd place will receive a 2-year extension
3rd place will receive 1-year extension

Become a NYSSPA member today and make your mark on the future of our profession.

NYSSPA 2021: Masks and COVID-19 Vaccination Required

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 18:00:38 GMT

Masks and COVID-19 Vaccination Required to Attend the 2021 CME Conference

The NYSSPA Conference Safety Policy has been updated to include a mask and COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

The details regarding this are below. The complete policy is posted here.

COVID-19 Vaccination Required
To ensure the safety of our attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, staff, and the public in general, NYSSPA is following the NYS DOH mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for attendees of the 2021 CME Conference. All attendees must be fully vaccinated by the start of the conference. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. “All attendees” include session attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, NYSSPA leaders, and staff.

Alternatively, individuals may submit here a waiver of their vaccination exemption for medical reasons and a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of conference attendance. These waivers will be reviewed for acceptance prior to the conference attendance. Your reason may not be accepted and is at NYSSPA’s discretion. If you are unvaccinated and already registered and your reason for remaining unvaccinated is not accepted, you will receive a full conference refund.

At time of conference check in, attendees will be required to show proof of vaccine to NYSSPA staff through the following methods:

COVID-19 Vaccination Card
NYS Excelsior App
NYC COVID Safe App
Scanned copy of COVID-19 vaccination card

Masks Required
All 2021 CME Conference attendees will be required to wear a mask, consistent with CDC recommendations, while participating in all conference sessions and activities. You may wear a mask of your choice or one of the provided NYSSPA masks. The Saratoga Hilton is currently requiring that its staff wear masks when customer facing.

Saratoga Hilton Safety Policy

NYSSPA Statement Against Anti-Semitism

Fri, 4 Jun 2021 16:33:32 GMT

Last year the NYSSPA Board of Directors issued a statement of solidarity addressing many social injustices that effect our country. We addressed it again a few months ago with events directed against the AAPI community.

Once again, sadly, our state and our nation are confronting a wave of targeted attacks. This time, it is a rise in attacks against Jewish people related to the rise of tensions in the Middle East.

Not only do we need to reaffirm our commitment, but we want to say that NYSSPA opposes and condemns all forms of racism, bigotry and hate. Equity and social justice are important to the health and welfare of all communities. We stand with our colleagues in the Jewish community who are experiencing harassment and violence based upon their national origin, religion, or cultural foundations. An attack on any one of us is an attack on us all.

NYSSPA Statement from the Board of Directors

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:25:49 GMT

Last year the NYSSPA Board issued a statement of solidarity addressing many of the social injustices that were occurring at the time. Not only do we need to reaffirm our commitment, but we want to say that NYSSPA opposes and condemns all forms of racism, bigotry and hate. We stand with our Asian, Asian American and Asian American Pacific Islander community who experience marginalization and bias. An attack on any one of us is an attack on us all.

As PAs, we take an oath to hold as our primary responsibility the health, safety, welfare and dignity of all people. We have an obligatory moral and ethical imperative to stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice and with those being unfairly targeted. As an organization, NYSSPA cannot ignore systemic racism and violence as a public health issue that impacts all aspects of health, safety, welfare, and dignity. NYSSPA supports and works towards diversity, equity and inclusion.

As medical practitioners, it is our responsibility to be empathetic, to advocate, and care for our patients regardless of their skin color or community they come from and to continue to make our patients and their health our priority. It is our responsibility to strive for open communication to create safe spaces where all people feel comfortable sharing their hardships and truths, to listen and hear those struggles.

We pledge to work together to tear down barriers to health care, equality, and address social determinants of health. PAs will continue to be part of the conversation and the solution, having necessary but sometimes difficult conversations to ensure all populations have opportunities, not either/or.

A Message from the President

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 20:17:58 GMT

On behalf of the NYSSPA Board of Directors, I am reaching out regarding NYSSPA’s ongoing advocacy efforts for PAs in NYS. So much has taken place since the Governor Cuomo issued the initial Executive Order (EO) #202 in March 2020 setting aside the need for PAs to have a supervising physician.

The EO continues to be renewed and in effect as the result of NYSSPA’s ongoing communication with the Governor’s Office, the Office of the Health Commissioner, and other stakeholders. This has allowed PAs to respond in times of emergency, and maintain their income. PAs and PA students have been included in vaccine efforts and other initiatives related to COVID.

NYSSPA Celebrates PA Week October 6-12, 2020

Thu, 1 Oct 2020 23:36:38 GMT

Albany, New York - The NYS Legislature has declared October 6-12, 2020, PA Week in NYS in conjunction with National PA Week. It is the desire of the NYS Legislature and the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) to take note and publicly acknowledge Physician Assistants (PAs), who are licensed medical practitioners and distinguish themselves through their exemplary careers and accomplishments in clinical practice, education, research and healthcare administration.

The October 6th date is chosen to commemorate the date the first PA Class graduated from Duke University in 1967. During this week, PAs are acknowledged for the ongoing, critical role they play in providing medical care across the state. This year, in particular, PAs are recognized, based on their education and training, for their response in assisting NYS to care for its COVID-19 patient population.

NYSSPA President Maureen C. Regan states “While it is always humbling to stop and recognize the tremendous work PAs across NYS do, this year is especially poignant as we honor the work PAs did and continue to do taking care of acutely ill patients during the ongoing pandemic. We also stop to remember 4 colleagues in NY we lost to COVID 19, Rabbi Jacob Meltzer, Madhvi Aya, Alex Bass and Kenneth Whitney.”

NYSSPA is proud to work on behalf of our PA Educator colleagues in NY. NYS is the largest producer of PA graduates nationally with 25 accredited PA Programs and represent a significant pipeline to the healthcare workforce shortage, providing quality practitioners educated in the medical model.

PAs, along with physician colleagues, have unrestricted licenses in NYS. PAs practice in primary care as well as specialty care and in every discipline of medicine, including mental health and school health, and have embraced the telemedicine delivery platform. PAs practice in every practice environment, urban, suburban and rural, treating patients of every age.

Representing over 18,000 licensed PAs, NYSSPA provides a collective voice through advocacy and enhances the environment of PA practice, focusing on quality patient and healthcare outcomes. NYSSPA is a constituent organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and is the representative advocacy organization for PA practice in New York State. NYSSPA has successfully represented PAs in NYS since 1975. PAs have been an integral solution to healthcare workforce issues in New York since then.

NYSSPA Statement on Systemic Racism

Sat, 6 Jun 2020 13:41:55 GMT

As PAs, we take an oath to hold as our primary responsibility the health, safety, welfare and dignity of all people. We have an obligatory moral and ethical imperative to stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice. As an organization, NYSSPA cannot ignore systemic racism and violence as a public health issue that impacts all aspects of health, safety, welfare, and dignity. We stand together with the Black community.

We acknowledge and support those engaging in non-violent protest and honoring the memory of George Floyd among many others. NYSSPA supports reform that holds law enforcement and officials accountable for their actions, reduces biases amongst those in uniform while ensuring respect for those protecting our safety.

As medical practitioners, it is our responsibility to be empathetic, to advocate, and care for our patients regardless of their skin color or community they come from and to continue to make our patients and their health our priority.It is our responsibility to strive for open communication to create safe spaces where all people feel comfortable sharing their hardships and truths, to listen and hear those struggles. We pledge to work together to tear down barriers to health care, equality, and address social determinants of health. PAs will continue to be part of the conversation and the solution, striving for true systemic reform.

Current Information on COVID-19

Fri, 6 Mar 2020 19:37:10 GMT

Please visit www.nysspa.org/page/NYSSPAActionAgainstCOVID-19 for current information related to COVID-19