Speaker: Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA
Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA: Good afternoon. My name is Folusho Ogunfiditimi and I'm the president of the AAPA and chair of the board. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to share some updates with you from the AAPA. Our impact on healthcare hinges on what I call the three P's of PA progress, Patients. Practice. Profession. These pillars underpin our advocacy efforts, propelling us towards a future marked by improved patient care, optimized practice, and a fortified PA profession. Every aspect of our work, including the initiatives I will touch on today, ripples across these three dimensions. Patients are our North Star. As PAs, we're united by a shared commitment to alleviate disparities, increase access, and ensure high-quality care.
Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA: Recently AAPA commissioned a Harris Poll study to amplify patient voices and gain insights into their experiences within the healthcare system. Through a nationally representative study of more than 2,500 Americans, we asked about what is and isn't working when it comes to the healthcare system. The results were telling. A staggering three in four adults feel the system isn't meeting their needs, with over a quarter feeling that, giving it a grading of failure. Issues of cost, access, and equity weigh heavily on millions of Americans, demanding our urgent attention and unwavering commitment to change. The second key finding is heartening: Despite frustrations within the healthcare systems, patients believe PAs can and will make a difference. I'll repeat that. Patients believe PAs can and will make a difference. Patients not only view PAs as integral members of the healthcare workforce, but an overwhelming nine in 10 patients agree that PAs are part of the solution. We unveiled the results of this study at the AAPA 2023 Conference in Nashville. And the full report is available now on AAPA dot org. In the coming weeks and months, we will harness these insights to strengthen our advocacy and strategic priorities including raising awareness of our profession. As part of our branding efforts,
Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA: As part of our branding efforts, we're proud to report that we've exceeded our annual goal for the PAs Go Beyond campaign, reaching over 190 million impressions as of June. And we're continuing to spread the word about PA impact. Currently, we're in the midst of a month long advertising campaign which began in mid September and will conclude after PA Week. These efforts are being complemented with a media tour grounded in the latest Harris Poll findings featuring myself, CEO Lisa Gables and several other state chapter leaders. Combined, we expect these efforts will further boost knowledge of the PA profession. Our mission extends beyond awareness. We aim to translate this into action. This year, our dedicated CO leaders and AAPA advocacy department have made remarkable strides in advancing our legislative agenda. Among the many successes to date, Utah and Delaware adopted the PA Licensure Compact and three states, Iowa, Arizona, and Montana removed the requirements for PAs to have a specific physician or healthcare provider relationship, bringing the total to six states. These wins were made possible by impressive grassroots activities. This year PA advocates called on legislators to support PA-positive legislation more than 40,000 times. As a healthcare community, we have a shared responsibility to improve access and equity within the system, not just through advocacy but also by attracting diverse students to the PA profession. We're committed to working together with PAEA and other organizations to elevate DEI within our profession. Internally, we are actively seeking partnerships with nonprofit philanthropic and corporate sectors that share our commitment to reducing health disparities in all communities. Two shining examples of this partnership are one with Vituity, which provides invaluable networking and career development opportunities for PAs and PA students specifically aimed at fostering a more diverse healthcare workforce. And our research collaboration with the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative, the Cleveland Clinic, and the PA Foundation to better equip PAs and healthcare providers in primary care settings with the tools to address cognitive decline.
Folusho Ogunfiditmi: Additionally, we're committed to improving health equity through our National Health Priorities, which include diabetes, mental health, obesity, and nutrition. Recognizing that these conditions disproportionately affect certain patient populations, we're working to promote preventative medicine and develop innovative solutions to ensure that everyone has equal access to quality healthcare. By sharing one collective voice, we can optimize PA practice and strengthen the PA profession. I encourage you all to attend the AAPA Town Hall meeting at the PA Education Forum this month to learn about our efforts on behalf of patients and the profession. I want to thank you for your continued dedication towards healthcare and our ability to advance health equity. Thank you.
