Our committees are the backbone of our organization. Through their efforts, MdAPA is able to expand membership, advocate for PA legislature, grow our brand, connect with our community, and deliver essential member benefits, such as CME.  

Our committees include three standing committees: Health Equity, Awards, and Student Advisory, and four committees led by our Directors at Large: Member Affairs, Legislative Affairs, Public Affairs, and CME. Standing committee chairs are appointed by the MdAPA Executive Board, while Directors at Large are elected into their positions. 

For more information about our committees and how to join, check out the information below.  

HEALTH EQUITY COMMITTEE- The MdAPA Health Equity Committee supports the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants Mission “To promote and support the Physician Assistant profession in Maryland through communication, education and legislative efforts,” through the following efforts:

• Recruitment of Minorities into the Physician Assistant Profession- Diversity within a profession promotes excellence.  The committee will continue to partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Diversity Representatives on College Campuses and high schools to provide resources and support for students interested in pursuing a Physician Assistant career.
• Project Access- Reaching out to high schools and colleges through Project Access, we are planting a seed that will inspire many minority students to pursue a career in medicine and give them hope that anything and everything is possible.  We have several high school and college partners in which members will provide an interactive, fun, and informative presentation surrounding the physician assistant career, educational process, and funding opportunities.
• Retention of a diverse pool of students within Physician Assistant programs – The committee will work on creating a mentorship program with current MdAPA members that may be utilized by students.  We will also work on scholarship and financial resources for students.
• Resources for Maryland Physician Assistants – The committee will provide ongoing CME, reports, webcasts, events related to health disparities, diversity in the workplace, and social determinants of health.

SHANI FLEMING, PhD, MSHS, MPH, PA-C

HEALTH EQUITY COMMITTEE CHAIR

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- Our Legislative Committee works to advocate for PAs in the state of Maryland, and prioritizes legislative issues presented by the MdAPA executive board. Our goal is to not only advocate for our members, but also engage them in legislative process. Guided by our efforts, members help organize advocacy days, both on the local, state, and federal level. To find out more about our efforts, check out the 'Advocacy' tab. 

For more information about this committee and how to join,  please contact our legislative director, Jennifer Grover, at LegislativeDirector@mdapa.org. 

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) COMMITTEE- As a parameter that helps keep our profession strong, CME programs are an essential pillar to MdAPA's success. The CME Committee organizes, develops, and plans CME content and activities for PAs throughout the year, and provides accessible CME to our members. Our greatest project is the annual MdAPA CME Conference in the Fall.

For more information about this committee and how to join,  please contact our CME director, Karin Weaver, at CMEdirector@mdapa.org

KARIN WEAVER, MMS, PA-C, CAQ-EM, CPAAPA

CME COMMITTEE CHAIR 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- Help our community stay connected! Just as medicine changes rapidly, medical affairs, professional updates, and PA community news, does as well. The Public Affairs Committee works hard to keep PAs in Maryland, and MdAPA as a whole, informed. This committee focuses on:

• Social media efforts
• Curating our quarterly newsletter, The MdAPA Minute
• Posting and developing graphics, alongside our management team
• PR efforts for our organization

For more information about this committee and how to join,  please contact our Public Affairs director, Courtney Esworthy-Good, at PRdirector@mdapa.org

COURTNEY ESWORTHY-GOOD, MSPAS, PA-C

PUBLIC AFFIARS COMMITTEE CHAIR 

MEMBER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- MdAPA's membership efforts don't stop at the recruitment stage. We are dedicated to making sure our members feel at home and that they're reaping the benefits of their membership. The Membership Committee focuses on efforts to increase member engagement, member satisfaction, and retaining our members. This committee also works to develop creative ways to increase MdAPA membership as well. 

For more information about this committee and how to join,  please contact our Member Affairs director, Avia Esposito, at Membershipdirector@mdapa.org.

AVIA ESPOSITO, PA-C

MEMBER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIR 

STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE- The future and growth of our profession starts with mentoring and encouraging our PA students. The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) focuses on building relationships between MdAPA with PA programs in Maryland in order to connect with current PA students. Through these efforts we aim to encourage students to join and become involved with MdAPA, and engage in the profession outside of the clinical setting. 

For more information about this committee and how to join,  please contact Student Advisory Committee chair, Elizabeth Donovan, at PastPresident@mdapa.org.

ELIZABETH DONOVAN, MSPAS, PA-C

STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR 

AWARDS COMMITTEE- The MdAPA Awards Committee is dedicated to our annual awards program. Committee members are charged with the following tasks: 

• Gathering nominations
  
• Selecting award winners 
  
• Planning, organizing, & hosting our annual ceremony. 

For more information about this committee and how to join,  please contact committee chair, Nguyen Park, at nguyen.roche@gmail.com