Welcome to the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants

Atlanta GA (October 6th , 2025)—Today, Governor Kemp officially declared October 6th-12th National PA Week through a proclamation put forward by the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA). PAs, or physician assistants, are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs practice
in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality. PAs are committed to team-based care and dedicated to delivering effective and efficient healthcare.

There are currently 7,040 practicing in Georgia and more than 190,000 PAs practicing nationwide.

GAPA is very pleased and excited that Governor Kemp has recognized the importance of PAs in our state. This week honors the first 3 PA graduates from Duke University in1968. From those humble beginnings, the profession has burgeoned into a well respected and sought out profession, consistently ranked as one of the top jobs in the US. Georgia faces many challenges in healthcare, but PAs are well poised to help address issues of disparity, access, and preventive medicine. As the population of Georgia continues to grow, PAs will become more and more needed to provide medical care throughout the state that is competent, caring, and evidence based. We hope that all of Georgia’s PAs know that they are celebrated with this proclamation, and that GAPA remains here to serve as your voice in the state.
Brian R Wingrove MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA, GAPA President 2025-2026

Throughout the week, PAs and PA students will participate in virtual or in-person PA Week events and work to raise awareness of the profession. GAPA will be celebrating this week with an educational dinner hosted by Gilead 10/9 @ 6:30pm with a planned group photo with the PA Week Proclamation! See GAPA’s Instagram or Facebook pages to register for the event. GAPA’s Diversity Committee is hosting a fun social at Dugan’s Bar and Grill – Northlake Mall 10/7 at 5:00pm. PA Week, celebrated every year from October 6th -12th by the American Academy of PAs, recognizes the PA profession and its contributions to healthcare. The starting date, October 6, honors the anniversary of the first graduating class of PAs from the Duke University PA program in 1987.

“PAs bring a unique perspective to patient care: They come from diverse backgrounds, and their PA education equips them to work across specialties. As dynamic providers who connect the dots, PAs are transforming healthcare.” -AAPA #PAsGoBeyond