8 Named 'Employers of Excellence' for Their Treatment of PAs

Winners 'have unlocked some important secrets' in getting the most out of their physician assistants, the AAPA head said.

The way eight hospitals and health systems treat their physician assistants has earned them Employer of Excellence Awards from a national PA advocacy group.

The American Academy of PAs' (AAPA) Center for Healthcare Leadership and Management (CHLM) announced the winners Monday, during the group's annual conference in New Orleans. This is the first year for these awards.

"These eight hospitals and health systems have unlocked some important secrets to maximize the value of PAs to their organizations and their patients," said AAPA CEO Jenna Dorn in a statement. "PA-positive environments create a win-win situation for PAs and for employers."

The eight 2018-2019 winners are as follows:

• Brigham Health – Brigham and Women's Hospital – Boston
• The Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland
• El Centro Family Health – Taos, New Mexico
• Hospital for Special Surgery – New York
• MidMichigan Health – Midland, Michigan
• NYU Langone Health – New York
• Seattle Cancer Care Alliance – Seattle
• Wake Forest Baptist Health – Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The winners will each receive a package that includes public recognition of the honor, a speaking engagement at the CHLM Executive Leadership Conference, an article on the AAPA and CHLM websites, a communications and marketing toolkit to help the organization promote itself as an award winner, and more.

Winners were selected based on how well they exhibited five drivers of PA retention and engagement, the AAPA said: (1) fostering a positive and supportive work environment, (2) effectively managing conflict, (3) giving PAs opportunities to provide meaningful imput, (4) communicating in a way that keeps PAs in the loop, and (5) leading in a way that seeks to involve PAs in efforts to improve quality of care.

Applications for the 2019-2020 cycle are due this fall.