National Physician Assistant Day
PA Week is a special time to spotlight the critical role of Physician Assistants (PAs) in healthcare. Every year, from October 6th to 12th, we shine a light on these healthcare heroes.
Recognize and celebrate Physician Assistants during PA Week (Oct 6–12) to build employer brand loyalty and engage healthcare professionals through appreciation-focused campaigns.
- Behind-the-scrubs spotlight: Share real PA stories and day-in-the-life content to humanize the profession
- PA appreciation toolkit: Offer employers templates for breakfast events, social media campaigns, and team recognition activities
- Educational content series: Highlight PA career pathways and training programs to attract students and career-changers
- Fundraising tie-in: Partner with healthcare nonprofits to turn PA Week celebrations into cause-driven giving campaigns
PA Week began as a day to recognize Physician Assistants’ significant contributions to healthcare. Initially celebrated on October 6, 1987, it marked the 20th anniversary of the first PA class’s graduation from Duke University.
October 6 is also the birthday of the profession’s founder, Dr. Eugene Stead, Jr. The idea was to create a special day to educate others about the profession and celebrate its achievements.
With this in mind, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and volunteers came together to promote the event through various means, even before the age of social media.
The PA profession itself started in the mid-1960s to address a shortage of primary care physicians. Dr. Eugene Stead, Jr. assembled the first class of PAs in 1965 at Duke University Medical Center, choosing four Navy Hospital Corpsmen with extensive medical training.
The program aimed to leverage their experience and quickly train them to provide healthcare, drawing inspiration from the accelerated training of doctors during World War II.
Over time, the celebration of PA Day extended to a full week, evolving into National PA Week from October 6th to 12th.
This change occurred in May 2004 when the AAPA House of Delegates decided to expand the celebration to acknowledge better and promote the profession’s impact on healthcare.
Today, PA Week is a time for recognizing the over 140,000 PAs in the U.S. who make more than 400 million patient interactions each year. It serves as an opportunity to educate the public about PAs’ vital role in the healthcare system, offering high-quality and cost-effective care.
PA Week highlights the profession’s contributions and encourages appreciation for PAs’ dedication and hard work. It’s a chance for healthcare communities and the public to celebrate and raise awareness about the PA profession’s importance in enhancing patient care and access to health services.
Social Media Shindig
Why not turn the digital world into a PA Week festival? Flood the ‘gram, the book of faces, or the chirpy bird app with posts that praise PAs. Snap a pic, toss in a hashtag like #PhysicianAssistantLife, and watch the likes pile up. It’s like throwing a surprise party that the whole world’s invited to.
Fundraising Fiesta
Gather the gang for a cause! Whether through a GoFundMe page or a themed bowling night, banding together for a beloved charity is a fantastic way to celebrate. Imagine the high fives as you strike out for a cause, turning PA Week into a week of giving back.
Cinematic Celebrations
Roll a camera on a day in the life of a PA or craft a heartfelt “thank you” video. It’s your chance to shine a spotlight on the real heroes behind the scrubs. Share it far and wide, and who knows? It might just get featured on a big-time PA channel.
Breakfast Bonanza
Kick off a day with energy and smiles by setting up a DIY breakfast bar. With granola, yogurt, fruits, and a dollop of honey, let everyone create their morning masterpiece. It’s a simple gesture that says, “You’re appreciated,” before the day’s hustle begins.
The Great PA Hunt
Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? Hide treasures around the workplace, draft a list of PA-related riddles, and watch as your colleagues turn detectives. The winners get bragging rights, a shiny title, and maybe a crown made of surgical gloves. These ideas aren’t just about celebrating; they’re about creating moments of joy, appreciation, and unity. PA Week might come around once a year, but the impact of these celebrations will ripple out, touching hearts and strengthening bonds. So, let’s get creative and show our PAs some well-deserved love!