ATLANTA, GA, February 3, 2012 -- Everyone knows that exercise is one key to being healthy, but not everyone enjoys going to the gym. Georgia’s State Park system has teamed up with the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) to make healthy living a bit more fun. Through the new “Rx for Fitness” Program, physician assistants can prescribe healthy hikes in the great outdoors, and patients can turn in their “prescriptions” for free park passes.

“Rx for Fitness” is part of the State Park system’s new Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge which encourages citizens to use outdoor recreation as part of their regular exercise.  Park visitors may find that exploring a canyon is more fun than a step machine, and that hiking along a waterfall burns more calories than a treadmill.  The parks also offer less traditional exercise, like lake swimming, geocaching and disc golf.  Even some state historic sites offer walking trails in beautiful settings.

(July 19, 2011) Atlanta, GA - The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) presented the 2011 GAPA awards for leadership and outstanding service today at the organization’s 36th Annual Summer CME Conference and Exhibition, being held this week on Hilton Head Island, SC. The organization bestowed its top awards to physician assistants (PAs) as well as to two Georgia physicians, and granted a scholarship award to a PA family with a child battling a severe illness.

Atlanta, GA – May 18, 2011 - The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) is pleased to report two significant developments that will benefit both Physician Assistants (PAs) and the patients they serve.

GAPA’s Legislative and Governmental Affairs (LGA) Committee marked the completion of a successful effort this past week as Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 303 into law. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), eliminates the “subsequent visit” requirement added to the PA Act in 2009.  This provision has been replaced with language that is workable for PA/Physician teams.

Atlanta, GA – April 21, 2011 - Getting a blood pressure check is part of the routine most patients understand they’ll undergo when they visit their healthcare provider. But some patients, especially those who seem to be healthy, may not routinely see their provider. Therefore, their high blood pressure, or hypertension, could go undetected for years. For that reason it has been labeled “the silent killer.”

The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) wants to encourage all Georgians to set aside a few moments during the month of May, which is Hypertension Awareness Month, for a routine blood pressure check. It’s easy to take advantage of free monitors at pharmacies, community or workplace health fairs and at most health clinics. Better yet, patients can use this opportunity to schedule a routine health exam with their healthcare provider.

Atlanta, GA - April 13, 2011 - The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) is applauding the Georgia General Assembly for its passage of House Bill (HB) 303, the GAPA bill to amend the Physician Assistant (PA) Act. The bill was passed last night, near the end of the State’s 2011 legislative session.

“It is usually hard to successfully pass a bill in one General Assembly session,” said Mary Vacala, ATC, PA-C, MSPAS, DFAAPA. Vacala is the 2010-11 GAPA president. “But with the tireless efforts Legislative Committee chaired by Jeff Chambers, PA-C, ATC, and the support of the GAPA membership, we did it.”

Atlanta, Ga. (March 24, 2011) – Georgia physician assistant Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD., addressed a national gathering of the Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants (AFPPA) today, concerning simplifying the administrative process in health care that often hinders patients from receiving the treatments they need.

Taylor was chosen to speak at the conference, held in Charleston, South Carolina, about the ongoing issues with health care saying, “Everyone agrees that health care continues to be a great debate – at the national and state level. Consensus on what is best for our country is hard to come by, but consensus on some very specific ‘details’ of health care delivery, such as access barriers and administrative issues, is not so controversial.”

March 16, 2011 - Significant barriers to patient care implemented by the health insurance industry are difficult to navigate, have a negative impact on patient care and drive up the administrative costs of healthcare, according to a statewide survey of Georgia physician assistants.  The survey, which was released today by the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA), also indicated that most physician assistants (PAs) are proactively taking steps to help address the problems that plague the system, and feel there is a legislative role that can contribute to a solution.

December 27, 2010 -The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) will be providing several new benefits to members in 2011, beginning with a series of legislative blogs during the 2011 General Assembly session.

The Georgia Association of Physician Assistants has announced the recipients of the 2010 GAPA awards, recognizing the leaders and rising stars of the Association. The awards were presented at the organization´s 35th Annual Summer CME Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday, July 20, in Sandestin, Florida.

The Georgia Association of Physicians Assistants is celebrating National Physician Assistants Week October 6-12 with a host of activities that will extend throughout the month.