Welcome to the Wisconsin
Academy of Physician Assistants
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Physician assistants are certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) – a mark of professional accomplishment – and state-licensed. They are health professionals who practice medicine as members of a team with their supervising physicians.
PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations in rural and urban settings. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and prescribe medications. Founded in 1968, the Academy works to promote quality, cost effective health care and the professional and personal growth of PAs. – AAPA
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2009 President's Project: Organ & Tissue Donation
To learn more about organ donation, go to Donate Life Wisconsin
WAPA Past-President Jim Ginter has selected his President’s Project to raise awareness about Organ and Tissue Donation. PAs are involved in this important health care issue in many ways. It begins by starting the conversation in our exam rooms and clinics, talking with our patients about organ and tissue donation. It continues out into our communities and with family and friends. PAs are also involved in the organ and tissue donation networks themselves, as coordinators, organ procurement and transplant teams. PAs are an important link in the chain to educate the public about the importance of organ and tissue donation.
For more information on the 2009 President's Project, click here.
Understanding the Changes to Chapter Med 8
Dear Fellow Wisconsin Physician Assistant:
With the announcement in June of approved changes to Chapter Med 8, it is important to understand how the changes affect Wisconsin physician assistants and their practice. The new rules that go into effect September 1, 2009 eliminate the co-signature of prescriptions requirement and change how PA prepared prescriptions are reviewed by a supervising physician. The following is a summary of the new rules:
- The supervising physician will be required to periodically review a representative sample of the prescriptions or patient records prepared by the physician assistant
- Written prescribing guidelines are required to document a supervising physician’s review of the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of drugs by a physician assistant
- The written guidelines will outline the method and frequency of the review by the supervising physician and identify the representative sample
- The written guidelines must include the categories of drugs for which prescribing authority has been authorized.
A sample prescribing guideline has been developed by Anne Hletko of the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants. The sample document can be used in any Wisconsin practice to comply with the new rules. This documentation should always be present in your professional file and should be current with respect to practice location(s) and supervising physician(s).
These changes are intended to make a medical practice that includes a physician assistant more efficient, streamlined and safe for patients. The goals were to still achieve appropriate supervision of physician assistant prepared prescriptions, but allow for flexibility in each individual practice setting. I believe these goals were met, but it is important for all physician assistants and their supervising physicians to understand what the new requirements are and how to implement them in their practice.
We are excited about this positive change in practice rules for Wisconsin physician assistants. Please share this information with your supervising physician and your colleagues so everyone is aware of the new requirements.
Sincerely,
Clark Collins, PA-C, MPAS
Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants
Legislative and Governmental Affairs Chairperson
P.S. Also included following this letter is information from the Department of Regulation and Licensing on how to stay informed about regulatory changes in Wisconsin. Please take a look.
The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing is now offering a new service to the Medical providers of the state of Wisconsin: a semiannual Medical Examining Board Regulatory Digest. The Digest is an initiative of the MEB and will strive to keep you abreast of changes in the regulatory environment and will also list recent serious disciplines.
Digests will generally contain the following information:
- Summaries of new laws that impact medical practices
- Reviews of recent serious disciplinary cases
- Updates on the license renewal process
- An explanation of the regulatory process
- Resources available to practitioners
- An update on the many Medical Examining Board initiatives
The Digest is only available electronically. As a licensee with a current email address on file, you will receive the Digest automatically. We encourage you to forward it to anyone you think might be interested in subscribing.
To subscribe to the Medical Examining Board Regulatory Digest, please follow these instructions:
To subscribe and start receiving the digest, send an email message to:
subscribe-wi-drl-medical-digest@lists.wi.gov
To unsubscribe to the list at any time, send an email message to:
unsubscribe-wi-drl-medical-digest@lists.wi.gov
In both cases, you can leave the subject and the body of the email message empty.Once you send a subscribe request you will receive an email back confirming your enrollment into the list.
If you are a licensee who did not receive this email directly from the DRL, you can take this opportunity to update your contact information including your email address by going to the https://online.drl.wi.gov/UserLogin.aspx. You will need your credential number to access your information.
President's
Welcome
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 Norine Friell, MPAS, PA-C
Welcome to the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants
website. This website has been designed to serve the practicing
Physician Assistant in Wisconsin, as well as prospective
PAs and students. Here you will find valuable information
that promotes and strengthens PA practice in Wisconsin.
WAPA offers its members numerous benefits that include;
a monthly newsletter, Spring and Fall CME conferences,
legislative news and representation, employment resources,
and our extensive membership survey.
We are pleased you have taken the time to view our website
and appreciate comments or suggestions for improvement.
Please feel free to visit our site often as information
changes frequently.
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WAPA's Mission Statement
The purposes of this Academy are to render loyal and honest service to the medical profession and to the public, to develop and to provide continuing educational programs for the physician assistant and the Academy membership, to promote the physician assistant concept through education of professional and lay people, and to promote similar interests in the student societies.
