Too Close to Call

Having been in the thick of the conference for the last six days, there was no lack of inspiration, occasional exasperation (like with the gender inequity deniers in HOD), indignation (at the data presented in the excellent talk about those same disparities, at which of course the deniers were notably absent), emotion (Patrick Killeen's exhilarating opening, and participating in a very moving salute to new President Robert Wooten), and euphoria (seeing the amazing twitter traffic, and getting almost 900 page views of this blog!).

Friggin' amazing conference.

Before we cut out on Saturday, I ran head long into one of the most special moments of the conference. I took a speaking workshop, and there was a PA there who felt intimidated by the class setup, and who wanted to leave. The instructors and organizer talked her down, and she reluctantly stayed. We had to give a little presentation about a topic of our choice, and she was super nervous, but she did it. She talked about the obstacles she faced in going back to PA school, as a single mom with kids. We had to describe the intended audience of our talk, and hers was women thinking of coming back into the employment fray. And when she ended her talk with an understated "if I can do it, so can you," I just about started crying. This was partly because I was worn out from the week with little emotional reserve remaining, but it was more related to how much she inspired me at that moment, how real she was, how brave she was for having stayed in the workshop against her urge to flee, and to have gone back to face the tough challenge of PA school.

My wife and I are back in Seattle, but our heads are still half in Las Vegas. We're already buzzing about Toronto, about possible ideas for talks, posters, collaborations, and about how fantastic the social media scene was this year.

I go back to work tomorrow, but I'll carry the excitement of Impact11 with me, and I know it's going to make my work even more meaningful, knowing that I'm part of such an awesome community. I'm still too close to the experience to fully describe and understand it, and look forward to more insights as a I process it over the next few weeks.

To those of you who I met, you rock! To those I saw again, you rock too! Now let's go get em, we've got some lives to save!

Jim Anderson PA-C
@jimeddypa

Battery Full (from New AAPA11 Blogger Marylou Hernandez)

Some of my PA colleagues who don’t attend the AAPA Conference question me as to why I bother to travel to our national meeting. Why not be satisfied with local CME?  It is hard to convey the feeling I get on opening day. Words just don’t seem to do it justice, but I’ll try here.

We all can relate to those low energy days during a long day or long week of taking care of our patients.  Sometimes it is emotional exhaustion and not just tired achy feet.  At the end of some days you might even question your own dedication or path. Every year at the opening day general assembly, I have no such fatigue or questions.  The energy in that room surrounded by your peers is unmatched. It is an opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to your patients and our profession. 

The program is always filled with inspiring stories, humor, and compassion. We are reminded why we do what we do. My heart becomes full. My focus is sharpened; I get to admire my colleagues and aspire to live up to the mission, vision and values of our profession. 

My battery gets recharged to full capacity. I am buoyed along the rest of the year by that positive energy I’ve absorbed over the week of events and lectures. I can call on the memory of what I saw, heard, and felt whenever my professional day gets tough.  Just about the time a little fatigue sets in it is conference time all over again!  Days like opening day at the AAPA conferences are not to be missed in my humble opinion.

Marylou Hernandez PA-C

Good Night and Good Luck edition

I am off to strap into a Southwest aluminum mailing tube to rocket back to the East Coast tomorrow.  Here is what I learned this week.

- HOD can be both a way to collectively express our values and for groups to define what they stand for.  In some cases they express what they won't stand for.

- There is a delicate balance between the AAPA and Specialty Organizations.  Nobody wants to weaken our National Organization but no group wants to give up their autonomy in the process.

- Social Media continues to be a strong tool.  There has been a strong independent streak in this year's twitterati and bloggers.  The evidence is in the fact that this is an independent blog without a specific editorial focus or limitation and there is no official blog. Power to the people to continue the PA conversation.  Congratulations to Jim Anderson on this idea.

- The sheer numbers of this conference likely means that we will see Vegas again.

It is not too late to sign up for the APACVS Critical Care Conference in DC June 22-25, 2011.
www.APACVS.org

CardioVision - the APACVS journal is out today. President Jonathan Sobel writes about our latest efforts and I write about understanding, preventing, and treating hospital complications.
http://apacvs.org/documents/PDF/CardioVISION_Spring_2011.pdf

Until next year I will see you on the Internet where I maintain the APACVS Facebook page, tweet, contribute to the APACVS journal, participate in Clinician 1 and the PA Forum, and generally waste a lot of time.

Good night and good luck.
@djbunnell

My IMPACT experience has come to an end

Outgoing AAPA President Patrick Killeen

I loved IMPACT. I was energized and inspired each and everyday by people in my profession. It all started with the enthusiasm of the opening ceremony. I was impressed with President Patrick Killeen’s heart felt speech and his passion for the profession. The video segments of the award winners played during the ceremony were also a great addition. The AOR meeting gave me the opportunity to meet some of the current and future student leaders as well as become part of the SAAPA Board. I loved the Leadership Conference that was put on by Josh Newton (soon-to-be past SAAPA VP). He was able to get great speakers such as President-elect Robert Wooten and Michelle DiBaise to share their advice on being an effective leader. The Challenge Bowl was thoroughly entertaining and I was also fortunate to meet so many PA pioneers and hear their words of wisdom. I must admit that one of the most impressive things about IMPACT was the accessibility and approachability of our leaders.  

Thanks to the AAPA for a great week. See you in Toronto.

Bianca Belcher, MPH, PA Student
twitter. @B_Belcher

http://biancabelcherpa.blogspot.com/

Great moments in social media, HOD Style

A fascinating thing happened at the HOD.  My specialty group feels strongly about a particular subject.  The report coming from the committee was unfavorable to our way of thinking.  In addition to working for change in the traditional fashion we posted our thoughts under the HOD hashtag.  It was not responded to in the timeline but it was apparent that it was widely read.  It was a helpful tool to be heard and to sponsor more discussion.  I am not sure how the vote will turn out.  However, it was a great lesson in the power of social media to enhance communication.  An organization can no longer ignore social media.  To say you don't have a presence on Facebook and twitter is like saying that you do not have an email address. An organization can either embrace the change or get lost in the fray.

@djbunnell

The Stance of the AOR…

Yesterday something interesting happened at the AOR meeting. The morning session was dedicated to voting on our “stance” or position if you will on some subjects to be voted on in the HOD. The topics included 1) Looking at the impact of paying PA preceptors, 2) Recommending further research on the MD/DO Bridge programs, 3) Changing the verbiage on the student protection protocol, and the one that surprisingly (to me) got the most dialogue…

AAPA supports legislature that bans the use of hand-held telecommunication devices while operating a moving vehicle except in emergency situations.

This seemed like a no-brainer to me, but to my surprise, there was objection. One argument stated that the AAPA should not have a stance on these types of subjects. The arguer stated, “Why shouldn’t the AAPA take a stance on tire pressure or other road safety issues?”

While I appreciate all arguments and courage to get up and speak at the microphone –I must beg to differ with the message. This issue directly impact us as health care providers. First, the time, money, and resources spent in the ED on collisions involving texting should satisfy the objective link between PAs and this subject. Second, although sometimes we forget because we operate so freely under the medical model (one patient, one provider) – we are all public health servants as well… preventionist.  

Historically, medical organizations have had stances on many public safety issues such as bike/motorcycle helmet use, drinking and driving, and smoking in public places. I don’t think now is the time for the AAPA to fall silent.  Support the legislature.

Bianca Belcher, MPH, PA-S1
twitter. @B_Belcher
http://biancabelcherpa.blogspot.com/

First impressions of HOD and the Vegas monorail.

I am impressed with the dedication and passion of the delegates on the HOD.  These volunteer leaders give up their time to carefully discuss the present and future of PAs.  It is a real honor to sit with my PA colleagues during this time.

I have had the sense over the past few years that PAs are in the midst of a tipping point from our humble beginnings to ever bigger and better things.  I sat in the town hall meeting and listened as a 1968 graduate of PA school said that PAs are now doing things that he had never dreamed when he started.

Finally...   The Vegas monorail is like the Hotel California. You can come on any time you like but you can never leave.  I exited through the Bally's station and walked through a mall and full casino before I found the street.  Boy scouts should stop learning orienteering and start learning urban transport and survival.

@djbunnell

www.APACVS.org