§ 3710. Definitions. As used in this article:

1. Specialist assistant. The term "specialist assistant" means a
person who is registered pursuant to section sixty-five hundred
forty-eight of the education law as a specialist assistant for a
particular medical speciality as defined by regulations promulgated by
the commissioner pursuant to section thirty-seven hundred eleven of this
article.

2. Physician. The term "physician" means a practitioner of medicine
licensed to practice medicine pursuant to article one hundred thirty-one
of the education law.

3. Hospital. The term "hospital" means an institution or facility
possessing a valid operating certificate issued pursuant to article
twenty-eight of this chapter and authorized to employ specialist
assistants in accordance with rules and regulations of the public health
and health planning council.

4. Approved program. The term "approved program" means a program for
the education of specialist assistants which has been formally approved
by the education department.