Assembly Resolution No. 666

BY: M. of A. Slater

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 6-12, 2023, as Physician Assistant Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set aside to commend those individuals who work
to serve the health care needs of citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 6-12, 2023, as
Physician Assistant Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Physician Assistant Week; and

WHEREAS, Each year, National Physician Assistant (PA) Week
recognizes the PA profession; it is an opportunity to raise awareness
and visibility of the profession; and

WHEREAS, During the week, PAs are honored, and their role is
publicized as a critical component in a wide variety of medical
settings; and

WHEREAS, There are over 110,000 PAs practicing in the United States,
and today, about one-third of them are in primary care and two-thirds
are in specialty care; and

WHEREAS, Typically, PAs do the following to expand the medical
workforce and enhance quality of care: take or review patients' medical
histories; examine patients; order and interpret diagnostic tests, such
as x-rays or blood tests; diagnose a patient's injury or illness; give
treatment, for example setting broken bones and immunizing patients;
educate and counsel patients and their families; prescribe medicine;
assess and record a patient's progress; research the latest treatments
to ensure the quality of patient care; and conduct or participate in
outreach programs, talking to groups about managing diseases and
promoting wellness; and

WHEREAS, Before it was a week-long event, National PA Day was first
celebrated on October 6, 1987, in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the
first graduating class of PAs from the Duke University PA program;
October 6th is also the birthday of the profession's founder, Eugene A.
Stead, Jr., MD; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals such as PAs who distinguish
themselves through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and
purposeful lives of service to their community and their profession;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 6-12, 2023, as
Physician Assistant Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.