Latest News
OAPA Student Member, Sofia Ivanoff- Tzvetcoff, PA-S, Awarded Physician Associates for Latino Health Scholarship
OAPA is proud to recognize Case Western Reserve University PA student, and OAPA student member, Sofia Ivanoff- Tzvetcoff, PA-S for receiving the Physician Associates for Latino Health (PALH) Scholarship!
SB 436 Adds Momentum to Ohio’s PA Title Change Effort
OAPA is proud to announce the introduction of Senate Bill 436 updating the professional title from Physician Assistant to Physician Associate, sponsored by Senator George Lang (R-West Chester). As a companion bill to HB 353, SB 436 is a straightforward piece of legislation that seeks to improve clarity for patients, healthcare organizations, and policymakers alike, without changing PA scope, supervision, or pay.
Announcing the 2026-2027 OAPA Board of Directors and AAPA Delegates
With the recent elections for President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Student Representative, Regional Director for Regions 3, 4, and 5, and three AAPA Delegates now complete, we are pleased to announce your OAPA volunteer leaders starting July 1, 2026!
Ohio PA Groups Collaborate to Strengthen Advocacy
The Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA) and the Ohio Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (OSDPA) announce a new collaborative agreement aimed at strengthening advocacy on behalf of PAs across Ohio. The two organizations will work together to advance shared legislative priorities that support the PA profession and enhance patient care.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Ohio
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has declared May to be Mental Health Awareness Month. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health offers many resources for you to learn more about mental health and find help when it’s needed most - for your patients, your loved ones, and yourself!
PAEA and AAPA to Challenge Final Rule Excluding PA Students from Professional Degree Status in Court
The PA Education Association (PAEA) and the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) strongly condemn the U.S. Department of Education’s final rule defining professional degree programs, which excludes PA students from classification as professional students. If not reversed, beginning July 1, PA students will be limited to annual federal loans set at $20,500, a cap that falls far short of tuition alone.
Nominations Now Open: 2026 OAPA Awards
Excellence is meant to be celebrated! OAPA is pleased to announce the opening of our awards nominations for 2026. We offer several distinct opportunities to honor and celebrate PAs and other individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service to advancing the PA profession.
APPLY NOW: 2026 OAPA Student Scholarships
Ohio PA students are invited to APPLY NOW for our 2026 OAPA Student Scholarships! Recognition is available in three categories: Past Presidents Leadership Scholarship, Diversity Scholarship, and General Scholarship. These competitive funding opportunities are provided to help support Ohio PA students as they pursue their education.
Diagnosis Codes on Controlled Substance Prescriptions: Guidance for PAs
Ohioʼs prescription issuance rule requires PAs, MD/DOs, and APRNs to include the ICD-10-CM medical diagnosis code of the primary disease or condition that a controlled substance is being used to treat. Review this helpful guidance and FAQ from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to ensure that your prescribing practice is compliant.
Registration NOW OPEN for the 2026 OAPA Annual Conference
Ohio PAs, educators, students, pre-PAs, and industry supporters will convene to learn and network at the Westin Cleveland Downtown on August 27-29, 2026. This is the best annual in-person opportunity to grow your network, expand your knowledge, and support the PA community in Ohio.
Call for Posters: 2026 OAPA Annual Conference
OAPA is proud to support research that drives the PA profession forward. As part of our commitment, the 2026 OAPA Annual Conference will feature a dedicated platform for Ohio PAs and PA students to present their innovative work. Whether you're exploring clinical practice, education, policy, or beyond, we want to hear from you. Poster submissions are open now through July 15, 2026. Submit your work today!
Join Team OAPA in Building Community and Celebrating Inclusion!
Participate in the Community Festival and Walk for the Diversity Center of NE Ohio on May 9
The OAPA Student Affairs and Diversity Committees are collaborating on a community engagement project to celebrate diversity in healthcare. Join Team OAPA at this free, family-friendly walk in Cleveland on May 9th, 2026, or virtually from wherever you live in Ohio!
OAPA Q&A with PA Leaders Across Ohio
Join us for an engaging virtual Q&A session designed specifically for PA students and recent graduates! This is your opportunity to connect directly with experienced PA leaders from across Ohio and gain valuable insight into navigating the job market, interview strategies that stand out, contract negotiation tips, and leadership pathways in advanced practice. Bring your questions and hear firsthand perspectives from leaders shaping PA practice across diverse settings.
OAPA’s New Pre-PA Membership Is Here!
Are you or someone you know considering PA school? OAPA has launched a Pre-PA membership designed to support students early in their career journey. Pre-PA members receive free access to CASPA and interview prep recordings, affordable rates at OAPA events, and special discounts from industry partners, with mentorship and shadowing opportunities in development. Please share this great news with any future PAs in your life!
Latest News on the PA Licensure Compact: Updates from the Commission
Stay informed with the most recent developments from the PA Compact Commission, including member state growth, rulemaking progress, and next steps as the compact moves toward operational status and expanded licensure mobility for PAs across states. Visit the official news page for detailed updates and resources.
Top Ways to Advocate for Ohio PAs
Advocating for the PA profession in Ohio starts with engagement. From joining OAPA and sharing your expertise to supporting legislative efforts, these five actions empower you to strengthen PA practice and improve patient care across the state.
PA Again Named #2 Best Health Care Job in U.S.
In its 2026 rankings, U.S. News & World Report again named the PA profession the #2 Best Health Care Job, marking the profession’s ninth consecutive year among the top 10. Additionally, the profession was named the #4 Best STEM Job and #5 among the 100 Best Jobs across all occupations.
2026 Discount for OAPA Members - Remen Institute for the Study of Health and Illness (RISHI)
The Remen Institute for the Study of Health & Illness (RISHI) contributes to healing the culture of health care through programs, tools, practices, and resources to enable health professionals to sustain their service values, their humanity, and their passion for their work. OAPA members are eligible for a discount on select RISHI workshops in 2026!
PA Title Change: Setting the Record Straight
HB 353, the PA Title Change Bill, will receive its third hearing before the Ohio House Health Committee, where several opponent testimonies are expected. We remain committed to addressing misunderstandings and dispelling myths, ensuring patients clearly understand the modern PA role by aligning our professional title with our education, training, and responsibilities. Watch this brief update from Government Affairs Chair Matthew Freado, MBA, PA-C, to learn more.
Why Do Ohio PAs Need a Title Change?
Ohio Senate Bill 436 and Ohio House Bill 353 propose to change the title of the PA profession in Ohio from "Physician Assistant" to "Physician Associate." Hear from PAs across the state in their own words about why they support the PA Title Change.
AAPA Offers New "Resources for PAs and PA Administrators in a Changing Healthcare Reimbursement Environment"
Do you have reimbursement questions following the enactment of the 2025 Reconciliation Bill? AAPA has prepared a new resource to support PAs and PA administrators with navigating changes in the healthcare reimbursement environment put into effect by the bill.
Psychiatry PAs Help Meet the Need for Mental Health Care
More than 3,000 PAs nationwide are working in psychiatry, and that number continues to grow. PAs in primary care also provide mental health support as they care for their patients holistically. Learn more about how PAs meet the critical need for mental health care in the American healthcare system.
State Medical, Pharmacy, and Nursing Boards Issue Joint Regulatory Statement on Retail IV Therapy Clinics
In response to the increasing number of retail IV therapy clinics operating in the state, the State Medical Board of Ohio, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and Ohio Board of Nursing issued a joint regulatory statement highlighting critical patient safety concerns and the importance of regulatory compliance in this emerging sector.
