Membership Info/Application



>Why Be a Member?
>Membership Benefits
>Categories of Membership
>Member Resources
>Membership Application

 

 

 

Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants
Why Be a Member?

Dear Fellow WAPA Members and Potential Members:

Over the last several years, our academy has undertaken aggressive projects in the area of public relations and in the education of employers about the PA profession. The website you are browsing is one example. It has developed educational materials for PAs on billing and reimbursement issues and an Employment Guide for use by members, prospective employers, and students. Through the WAPA foundation it has supported student education and involvement in academy leadership at the state and national level. It has represented the profession on numerous committees and at numerous conferences. It has provided the highest quality and lowest cost CME opportunities found anywhere. It has encouraged, embraced and trained new graduates and new leadership in its committees and elected officers. It has represented and voiced the membership's opinions and concerns to the AAPA and NCCPA. It is as strong, talented and vibrant an academy as any in the nation.

The practice climate in Wisconsin for PAs is much better than it is in many states. The relatively new PA licensure law decreases the likelihood that reimbursement for services that we perform will be denied by insurance companies. We can write prescriptions without searching out our supervising physicians for a co-signature. We know our lobbyist and the legislative affairs committee are out there working with the state legislature watching for bills that affect us, correcting misunderstandings and putting out little fires before they become the big fires that could consume us! WAPA volunteers and staff are working hard to be sure that PAs are included when rules are drafted, programs designed and policies enacted. The list could go on.

There are so many benefits of WAPA membership! See the link on membership benefits. If you have any questions, concerns, or advice for your organization, please call any member on the leadership directory. Feel free to call any of the board members or committee chairs at any time.

Maintaining a vital and active professional organization is expensive. WAPA needs and appreciates your membership. We are proud to be one of the best constituent chapters in the AAPA with a membership rate exceeding that of nearly all other states.
Thank you for joining your state academy. It is our hope that you will round off your professional education with involvement in academy activities and become future leaders of our profession.

Sincerely,
The Membership Chair

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Member Resources

PA'S Partners In Medicine Presentation Kits
The Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants has 7 Kits available for its members to use to make presentation about the profession to groups. Each Kit contains the following items:

• one set of slides (33) along with the presentation guide (syllabus) from the AAPA
• One Wisconsin fact sheet to compliment the AAPA information
• One copy of MED Chapter 8
• One copy of WAPA'S top ten FAQ
• One Wistrec Document (information about PA'S)
• 25 Copies of AAPA Pamphlet #101 (Q+A about PA'S )
• 25 Copies of AAPA Pamphlet #103 (Partners in Medicine)
• One copy of the AAPA issue brief (Pa scope of practice)
• 12 minute video (PA'S Partners in Medicine).

There are three different visions of the video available one for a Physician group, one for a student group and five for the general public. Please be sure to Identify you group type when requesting a Kit.

When you need to make a presentation call the WAPA office ask for a presentation kit and they will send one to you. Please return it to the office when finished so it can be restocked with Pamphlets and available for others to use.

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Membership Benefits

CME Conferences
WAPA is known for its high quality CME programs which are held in the spring and fall. Respected medical professionals and health policy makers present information on current medical topics procedures, and issues. Hands on workshops are frequently provided to enhance PAs clinical skills. Members attend CME conference at reduced rates.

Newsletter
The Spectator is a primary source of information to Wisconsin PAs. The award-winning newsletter, printed ten times annually, provides up-to-date information on activities of the Academy, practice issues, and career opportunities.

Networking
The Academy's conferences, newsletter, and committee activities provide opportunities for PAs from throughout the region to meet professionally and socially.

Legislative Representation
WAPA's Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee and lobbyist continually review current and pending legislation affecting Wisconsin PA. The Committee establishes liaisons with other health care organizations and works with Wisconsin's elected representatives to enhance PA practice.

Public Relations/Public Education
The Academy actively promote the concept of the PA as an important part of the health care team and works to increase the profession's visibility. The Public Relations Committee also develops tools that members may use to educate the public, including a traveling display, brochures and handouts.

Leadership Opportunities
WAPA members are invited to play an active role in the future of the PA profession by becoming part of the Academy's leadership. All members are welcome to join any of the WAPA committees that implement WAPA's programs and services.

Student Support
WAPA has always taken an active interest in the future of the PA profession by encouraging and facilitating student membership. Students receive complimentary conference registration fees and may qualify for scholarships awarded by the WAPA Foundation.

Professional Support
WAPA provides experienced guidance for questions and challenges that may arise in practice.

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Categories of Membership

Fellow ($125)
Is a fellow member of the AAPA, a Wisconsin PA on the active or inactive MEB list (is currently or was at one time state certified in Wisconsin), or must be a Wisconsin PA who is NCCPA certified and a graduate of an AMA approved PA program.

Member ($125)
Must meet the same qualifications as above except not an AAPA fellow member.

Affiliate ($125)
Is an out-of-state PA or anyone not recognized as a PA by the MEB (not a graduate of an AMA approved PA program or not NCCPA certified) or a physician, nurse, administrator, etc.

Organizational ($125)
Is a clinic, hospital, nursing home, university health service or other institution providing health care.

Student ($10)
This fee covers membership through December 31 of the year of graduation.

Hardship
Please contact the WAPA office at 800-762-8965 for more information.

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Tel: (800)762-8965 | Fax: (920) 882-3655
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