AAPA Announces Nationwide Events for PA Week 2026

October 6 - 12 celebration will connect PAs and PA students, introduce young people to the profession, and support student scholarships

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) today announced a nationwide lineup of events and initiatives for PA Week 2026, taking place October 6-12. This year's celebration will recognize the contributions of PAs and PA students, bring the profession into communities across the country, and raise funds to help future PAs pursue their education.

Throughout the week, AAPA will share stories about PAs' impact on patients and communities; support PA-led networking events; and work with PA programs, employers, constituent organizations, and other partners to elevate the profession. PA Week activities will also include community-based career exposure programs, and a special activation with PA students at A.T. Still University in Phoenix on October 7.

"PA Week is an opportunity to celebrate the PAs who are helping patients every day while strengthening the future of the profession," said David J. Bunnell, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA, president and chair of the AAPA Board of Directors. "By connecting PAs and students in communities across the country, introducing young people to PA careers, and investing in student scholarships, we are turning that celebration into meaningful impact."

Bringing PA Week into Communities

AAPA Social Media Ambassadors and local partners will lead networking and community events designed to build connections among practicing PAs, PA students, and prospective students in cities across the country including:

• Seattle networking event (10/6)
• Phoenix A.T. Still University PA student meetup (10/7)
• Charleston, S.C. pre-PA and PA cookout (10/9)
• Los Angeles PA networking walk (10/10)

Introducing Students to the PA Profession

Through AAPA's Project Access initiative and a partnership with the CARES Mentoring Movement, PAs will visit schools in three major metropolitan areas to introduce students to the PA profession and the educational pathways that can lead to a career in healthcare. Events are scheduled for:

• Seattle: Dimmitt Middle School (10/7)
• Dallas: Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center High School (10/7)
• Denver: Denver East High School (10/8)

Investing in Future PAs

This PA Week, the Physician Associate Foundation (PAF) is raising funds to support scholarships for PA students. AAPA and PAF are calling on partners and individual donors to make a gift that helps reduce financial barriers for aspiring PAs and shape the future of the PA profession.

Individuals can support the campaign at the PA Week scholarship campaign page. Organizations can learn more about becoming PA Week Partners and supporting the future of the profession.

About PA Week

Celebrated every year from October 6-12, PA Week recognizes the PA profession and its contributions to healthcare. The starting date, October 6, honors the anniversary of the first graduating class of PAs from the Duke University PA program in 1967. Since then, the PA profession has grown significantly. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, over the next decade the profession is set to experience a faster rate of growth than most other occupations in and out of the healthcare industry. U.S. News & World Report named the PA profession the #2 Best Health Care Job and the #5 occupation in the 100 Best Jobs.

To learn more about the profession and ways you can celebrate PA Week, visit AAPA's PA Week page.

About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
AAPA is the national membership organization for all physician associates/assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org and engage through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

About the Physician Associate Foundation

The Physician Associate Foundation (PAF) works to strengthen the healthcare workforce by financially supporting PAs' educational journey. It is the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Physician Associates, representing a profession of more than 200,000 PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and the uniformed services.

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SOURCE American Academy of Physician Associates