Liaison Report to AAPA Board of Directors April 25, 2007
Print Liaison Report for April AAPA Meeting

Liaison Report to AAP Board of Directors August 8, 2008
Print Liaison Report for August AAP Meeting

SPAP Members,

I am honored to serve as the AAPA Liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). One of my broad, long-term goals is to increase the number of PAs in pediatric medicine. To achieve this goal, it is essential to have recognition and support from pediatricians and their governing body. During his term as liaison, my immediate predecessor, Albert Bourbon did an excellent job working towards this goal by showing the AAP leadership that PAs are diverse, intelligent, and involved. Through his attendance at key pediatric meetings, he has developed important contacts within the leadership of AAP.

As liaison, I will build on the great work that Mr. Bourbon has done. Communication is key in this position, and as an ad hoc SPAP Board member, I will attend the monthly SPAP Board conference calls and provide a brief update at each call. For more urgent matters, I will communicate with the board electronically or by phone. Through SPAP's and the AAPA's e-mail lists, I also plan to communicate with YOU, fellow PAs who provide care to children, as well as PA students who have an interest in pediatrics.

During my term as liaison to the AAP, I will attend several meetings with AAP leaders. I have already met the AAP President, President-elect, and CEO at the American Medical Association (AMA) Conference in June, 2008. At that meeting, members of the AAP Board were quite friendly and were interested in working with the AAPA on future projects. At each of the meetings I attend, I plan to meet with key members of the AAP to present the most important issues facing PAs who practice in pediatrics and to educate them on the roles PAs may fill in pediatric medicine. PAs are involved in so many different activities: philanthropic, educational,leadership, and AAP leaders should be aware of the contributions of PAs. I am also identifying projects that AAPA and AAP can work together on to further strengthen our relationship.

I want to hear from you, SPAP members, on issues that are important to you, and let me know anything you would like me to communicate to AAP. Please feel free to contact me any time. My email address is: cmbarry@gmail.com

Chris Barry, PA-C, MMSc
AAPA Liaison to the AAP
June 2008- present