About ConnAPA

Tricia Marriott,PA-C, MPAS
ConnAPA President

President's Message

Six months into my term as President, I’m really excited about what ConnAPA has accomplished, particularly in regards to the relationships we have established with the physician groups in Connecticut.  The Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) has recognized the importance of the Physician-PA Team by accepting PAs into its fold as Associate members.  In the January 2008 edition of Connecticut Medicine, The Journal of the Connecticut Medical Society, Vol 7, No. 1, Dr. Angelo Carrabba , announces the addition of PAs to the CSMS membership.  Additionally, ConnAPA was asked to contribute commentary on this new relationship.  You’ll find our article entitled “The Physician-PA Team” on page 52 of the journal.  Dr. Carrabba, aided by CSMS Executive Director Matthew Katz, was a major proponent of PA membership, and has provided his insights for this edition of ConnAPA News.  Soon, you will find the application for PA membership posted on the CSMS website, www.csms.org.  CSMS will be sponsoring a booth at COC with details on membership benefits.

 I am even more excited about what is yet to come;

-ConnAPA has a jam-packed Charter Oak Conference planned for March 30-April 2, 2008 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel (no relation, but I do get room service pretty quickly…). 25 hours of CME are scheduled.

-Our website is hopping, and loaded with information important to PAs.   The ConnAPA job bank at www.connapa.org is the only on-line listing for PA jobs in Connecticut. Important updates are posted immediately, thanks to our outstanding webmaster. Pas can also join and/or renew on-line.

-We have a newly formed subcommittee for Hospital Based PAs.  Our first meeting has created a stir in the state, judging by the volume of e-mail I’ve received. 

-ConnAPA continues to produce national leaders.  Our AAPA President Elect, Cindy Booth Lord hails from Connecticut, and is a former ConnAPA President.  Additionally, Connecticut can boast about nine ConnAPA members who are currently in AAPA elected and/or appointed positions.  Connecticut PAs are well-represented at both the state and the national levels.

-ConnAPA’s new management team has really improved operations, not only at the Board level, but also with our membership.  The Board’s efficiency has skyrocketed, and, I believe, will continue to improve as we learn from each other.

I have lots more to say, but it will have to wait.  My closing statement is actually a request.  Would you mind spreading the word to those 900 PAs in the state who aren’t ConnAPA members?  Reasons for not belonging are pretty interesting- “There haven’t been any CME dinners in my region.” (The PHARMA rules have killed the CME dinner…)  “I haven’t received an application.”(Go to www.ConnAPA.org.)  “What has ConnAPA done for me lately?” (See above.)  We are doing great things with only 36% participation.  Can you imagine what we could accomplish with a little more support?

Tricia