Mentors can help increase PA workforce diversity

FigureMy term as American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) president is nearing an end at a time of new beginnings for AAPA's efforts to close the gap for patients experiencing healthcare disparities, as well as our initiatives to increase diversity in our profession. At the heart of AAPA's mission lies a profound commitment to not only address the immediate challenges in our healthcare system but also to envision a future where healthcare disparities are eliminated and diversity thrives in the medical community. This mission has always been a personal passion, and I believe that our profession needs every PA, including myself, to find new ways to get involved. To make meaningful changes that support diversity, equity, and inclusion, I believe it is essential to focus on three core areas: supporting the next generation of PAs, improving access and quality of care for underserved patients, and empowering PA leaders to transform healthcare. This year, AAPA has launched partnership efforts that will support each of those priorities and present opportunities to engage PAs at all levels, from PA students to PA leaders. One of the most exciting projects is PAthways, an initiative developed by AAPA and the PA Foundation, aimed at fostering diversity in the PA workforce. According to the Harris Poll survey that AAPA commissioned in 2023, more than half of US adults (54%) reported feeling more comfortable seeing a healthcare provider who shares their background.1 This is especially true of Black (67%), Asian (66%), and Latino (62%) adults, compared with White adults (49%).1 To meet this patient need, our profession must continue to diversify, but this is not a problem unique to PAs. According to the KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation), in 2019, 60% of healthcare workers were White and 40% were people of color, including 16% who were Black, 13% who were Hispanic, and 7% who were Asian.2 Taking steps to recruit more students from all backgrounds to pursue a career as a PA—and to support their journey—is the mission of PAthways, which was launched in March through the support of a Communities in Action for Health Equity grant from Pfizer Inc. PAthways is designed to reach historically marginalized communities, including Black, Latina/o/x, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other racial and ethnic groups. The two-pronged program is aimed at: raising awareness and interest in the PA profession among freshmen and sophomore college students at minority-serving institutions providing mentorship and shadowing opportunities for seniors and recent graduates of color interested in pursuing PA school. Engaging with PA programs at minority-serving institutions is vital to the success of this program, but the call for mentors is critical. Mentorship serves as the cornerstone upon which aspiring PAs from underrepresented backgrounds can build their careers and thrive in our profession. Mentors provide guidance, support, and invaluable insights drawn from their own experiences, helping mentees navigate the challenges and opportunities they encounter along their journey to becoming PAs. By serving as mentors, PAs can inspire, empower, and uplift the next generation of diverse healthcare professionals. I urge PAs in all medical settings to heed this call for mentors and consider the profound effect they can have on the future of our profession. Whether you're a seasoned PA with years of experience or a recent graduate eager to pay it forward, your willingness to mentor can make a tangible difference in the lives of aspiring PAs. A second initiative underway at AAPA tackles one of the most concerning healthcare disparities of the day—youth mental health. With the aid of a grant from the RBC Foundation USA, AAPA has kicked off the PArtnership to Improve Student Mental Health. Through this project, AAPA and the PA Foundation will develop a youth mental health care training program in partnership with five PAs selected to participate. Upon completion of the training, those PAs will then partner with a local school district to train educators and administrators on ways to improve interactions with students affected by mental health challenges. What's so encouraging about this project is that it shows how the action of one PA can have ripple effects. The project was inspired by the work of Erin Crown, PA-C, a Pennsylvania PA and founder of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative (https://sites.google.com/view/pamhi/pennsylvania-schools-pilot-project). Crown led mental health care training in three central Pennsylvania school districts in 2021, helping teachers and administrators to better understand the different mental health issues that may affect students. During my time as AAPA president, I have met countless PAs who, like Crown, are "going beyond" for their patients. It's AAPA's duty to support everyone who is committed to the mission of ending healthcare disparities and growing a stronger PA workforce. So keep raising your hand—look for ways to get involved and bring new suggestions to the table. Change always starts with an idea, and together, we can turn our vision into reality and create a stronger, more diverse PA profession, and in turn a healthcare system that truly serves all members of our society. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.