West Virginia Association
                     of
     Physician Assistants

About Us
Established in 1977, the West Virginia Association of Physician Assistants (WVAPA) is devoted to promoting and representing the interests of Physician Assistants within the state.  The WVAPA continues to grow by leaps and bounds, enhanced by the efforts of its leadership, committee chairpersons and members in delivering membership services.  Members enjoy numerous opportunities for professional development and involvement, as well as opportunities to meet and network with peers.  The WVAPA is a constituent chapter of the AAPA.  As with any professional association, the membership is the organizations strength.  The WVAPA's members are committed to their profession and to increasing access to cost-effective, quality health care for patients.

WVAPA promotes the physician assistant concept and profession through education of professional and lay people and by rendering loyal and honest service to the medical profession and to the public. The organization serves as a public information center with respect to its members and the public, provides a forum of discussion for WVAPA members, and promotes and provides quality programs of continuing medical education for the WVAPA membership. WVAPA strengthens the role of the physician assistant by supporting and encouraging membership in the WVAPA and AAPA.

What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. For a complete text of the West Virginia State Code covering Physician Assistants, please click here. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in most states can write prescriptions. PAs are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Within West Virginia there are two accredited programs:


Alderson Broaddus College
Physician Assistant Department
P O Box 2036
Philippi, WV 26416
Phone: 304/457-6283
www.ab.edu
Mountain State University
Physician Assistant Program
PO Box AG
Beckley, WV 25802
Phone: 304/253-7351
www.mountainstate.edu