Welcome to the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants
Welcome to the official GAPA website. We are glad you’re here and exploring everything GAPA has to offer. Over the next few months, you might see some changes around here as we continue to work diligently to create a space that meets all of your needs in one place at GAPA.net.
President's Message
Greetings GAPA Members,
It is hard to believe that it is July and the 2024 conference is here. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in San Destin. I wanted to take a moment to thank each member for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your 2023 – 2024 President. We have had a very busy year. We elected new members to the Board of Directors. I would like to congratulate Megan Timpone, President, Brian Wingrove, President-Elect, Miles Gilbreath, Treasurer, Shannon Jackson, Director at Large, and Beckie Hayes, Director at Large. We have an exciting year ahead. Please join me in appreciation for our GA delegates, Tammi Pavey, Chief Delegate, Jonathan Hill, Katie Foley, and Beckie Hayes for their service this session of the AAPA House of Delegates (HOD) annual meeting and for their commitment all year. Delegates across the US updated and
established new parliamentary rules to stay current with new and challenging terms and themes within the medical professions. In efforts to cultivate and encourage diversity in our national organization and within the PA Profession, enhancements to the Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI) policy were made and a DEI Committee was established. Policies on artificial intelligence (AI) were also introduced and approved. (For a complete list of resolutions adopted, please review the HOD meeting materials on the AAPA website at
https://www.aapa.org/governance/house-of-delegates/.)
Without your dedication and support, GAPA would certainly not be where it is today. Please contact us if you are interested in serving on a committee or if you have questions about membership. Hope to see you at our annual summer conference.
Sincerely,
LeAnne Martinelli, DHSc, PA-C
2023- 2024 GAPA President
LeAnne Martinelli, RPh, DHSc, PA-C
GAPA President 2023-2024
GAPA priority legislative PASSES!
HB 557, a culmination of four years of immediate work and many more before, passed in final form. The bill allows PAs and APRNs to prescribe a 5-day supply of hydrocodone and oxycodone and related compounds to adult patients in an emergency. The bill also simplifies some of the procedures of adding/changing supervising physicians at the Composite Medical Board. Finally, the bill allows PAs and APRNs to write for disability parking placards. The bill passed both the House and Senate overwhelmingly and now heads to the Governor for consideration. A HUGE thank you to the following legislative leaders who were absolutely instrumental to the bill’s passage:
Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah)
Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) & her stellar Chief of Staff, Tyler Mashburn.
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and his exceptional Health Policy Advisor Ines Owens.
Senator Larry Walker (R-Perry)
Representative Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro)
We will keep you apprised of next steps.
Available Articles to Read
The cost-effectiveness of physician assistants/associates: A systematic review of international evidence
Upcoming Events and Activities
See what’s happening with GAPA!
6 & 7
Dec 2024
Breath & Beauty Summit
- Start: 6 Dec 2024
- End: 7 Dec 2024
- Location: Roam Perimeter Center - Atlanta, GA
26
June 2025
2025 Summer CME Conference
- Start: 26 Jun 2025
- End: 29 Jun 2025
- Location: Jekyll Island Convention Center
Join Us!
Join the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) or renew your membership today to better serve your patients, provide outreach to the medically underserved, strengthen your profession, network with colleagues and celebrate your accomplishments. Take advantage of all GAPA has to offer.