Indiana Academy
of Physician
Assistants
Membership Plan, 2011 – 2012
Jennifer A. Snyder
John S. Emmett
Kristin L. Kelly
Lauren E. Widau
Amanda M. Via-Smith
Objective:
To develop a Membership Plan that will help increase effectiveness of the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA)
Timeline:
Propose to implement Membership Plan in 2011 – 2012
Background:
At the April 2010, PPAP: IAPA planning meeting, Jennifer Snyder was tasked to establish a membership plan within six
months for IAPA to consider. The plan would be evaluated by the IAPA Board of Directors for adoption in whole, part, or not
at all. A subcommittee was formed to establish the plan. The subcommittee was made up of John Emmett, Kristin Kelly,
Lauren Widau, Amanda Via-Smith, and Jennifer Snyder.
Method:
Data was obtained from the AAPA to determine where the IAPA stands in regards to membership numbers. According to
Linn Wheeling, AAPA Regional Director, membership numbers were obtained from NCCPA and previously reported IAPA
numbers:
Certified PAs 715
Licensed PAs 691
AAPA member count 407
IN Chapter count 89
Using the data provided by Ms. Wheeling, IAPA has a 12.4% baseline membership rate of certified PAs. According to Clover
Schultz, CRC PPAP Chair, the national average membership rate is 30 – 40%.
The membership planning subcommittee evaluated other constituencies’ member benefits; costs, etc. (Appendix A):
North Central Regional States OH, MI, IL, ND, SD, MN, WI, IA, MO, NE
“Where We Want to Be”* States TN, KS, KY, and SC
Other health professional organizations in Indiana
*“Where We Want to Be”— Based on the number of licensed PAs in the state, IAPA should obtain the national average membership rate of 30 – 40%.
If goal accomplished, these states would become cohort states.
Recommendations:
Pages 3 – 9 include recommendations by the Membership Plan subcommittee.
2
Career Network
Objective: To cultivate career opportunities
Rationale:
The rate of employment is increasing for PAs in Indiana. In the past 8 years, there has been a 97% percent increase in the number of
active licensed PAs in the state of Indiana.1 IAPA needs to take an active role in providing opportunities for both PAs and potential
employers.
Currently, IAPA posts ‘open to the public’ job announcements for employers at a cost of $50 for a period of 90 days. Additionally,
these announcements are sent to members via listserv.
A review of peer constituent organizations reveals a wide variety of avenues for PAs to connect with employers. This includes job
postings on either websites closed only to members or open to the public, opportunities to post resumes/CVs on exclusive website
pages, job alerts to membership emails, job postings in newsletters, and offers to include job postings out of state.
Some organizations provided these benefits to members with no additional cost. Other organizations charged employers considerable
fees as a possible revenue source.
Review the Tennessee Academy as an ideal model for career networking: http://www.jobtarget.com/home/index.cfm?site_id=8795
Proposal:
Develop an effective career network for PAs and potential employers.
Recommendation:
Build a website so that
1. Physician assistants can:
a. Post resumes—members fee: $10.00 / non-members fee: $20.00
b. View all jobs posted—open to members and non-members
c. Receive email alerts of jobs that are posted in specified areas: state, specialty, area of interest
i. Member benefit: free; non-member not available
2. Employers can:
a. View summary of resume
b. Purchase resumes
3
i. Singly—member $20; non-member $35
ii. Unlimited 90 days—member $100; non-member $175
c. Post openings
i. 60 days one job posting—members- $25; non-members- $50
ii. 90 days one job posting—members- $50; non-members- $75
iii. 90 days unlimited job postings—$150
iv. 365 days unlimited job postings—$300
3. Pay online by credit card or invoice option
Student Involvement
Objective:
To provide leadership opportunities for students and reward their service
To increase student membership
Rationale:
Five of the eleven states of the North Central Region have scholarships for students. States like Washington provided both
fellow and students leaders an opportunity to take part in the national PA Foundation (PAF) dinner when the Washington
Academy purchased a table sponsoring the event. Not only did this act support the PAF, it provided a stimulating environment
for fellow leaders and students to see what they could achieve. Students are an excellent source of energy and creative ideas.
In return, by implementing student ideas, the students receive valuable leadership experience and networking opportunities.
Since the late 1970s, if a PA were educated in Indiana, 77% obtained a license in Indiana. As of May 2010, 62% Indiana
graduates still had an active license.1 By increasing student membership and increasing the value of being a member, IAPA
might increase membership numbers.
Proposal:
Add student scholarships and rewards for service leadership
Increase student membership numbers
Recommendation:
1. Hold a silent auction at the state CME conference to support scholarships for students
a. Student organizations should solicit donations
4
b. Seek donations from fellow members and businesses
2. Earmark a percentage of student membership fees to support PAF table at national conference with students and scholarships
a. Invite those who will already be attending the conference to minimize costs
i. Rank those who have served in student leader capacities
3. IAPA Outstanding Student of the Year
a. Plaque, certificate, or monetary reward from student fees or silent auction proceeds
i. Recommended importance based on decreasing rank
1. Membership to IAPA
2. Service to IAPA
3. Leadership position in IAPA
b. Resume builder for student
c. May incentivize more students to participate
d. Retain membership as fellow members
e. Notify education programs of award to increase participation
f. Notify education programs of winner
Outstanding PA of the year
Objective:
To give thanks and appreciate a PA in Indiana for their outstanding work
Rationale:
Currently part of IAPA Bylaws
Proposal:
Acknowledge deserving fellow members
Recommendation:
At the Fall CME conference, acknowledge the leader and honor those who provide the IAPA community with outstanding
service
5
Social Events
Objective:
Increase networking opportunities for IAPA members
Rationale:
Five of the eleven North Central Region Organizations have social events that are distinctively separate from the state
conference. This is a way for the membership to know they are appreciated and offers significant networking opportunities.
The Indians baseball game scheduled in August 2010 is a great start. Strong work!
Proposal:
Increase networking opportunities for Indiana PAs and the value of membership
Recommendation:
Continue and increase social activities that might include
Pacer or Fever games
Wine tasting
Picnic in a park
Symphony on the Prairie
Movie at Indiana Museum of Art with picnic
Consider regional events
Company Partnership
Objective:
Develop relationships with corporate partners to increase incentives to membership
Rationale:
Develop relationships with organizations that would be beneficial to both the practice and personal lives of physician
assistants. By establishing partnerships, both organizations might benefit. Additionally, the value of being a member might
increase.
6
Proposal:
Increase corporate partnerships to increase membership benefits
Recommendation:
Establish relationships with five organizations that will provide a discount to IAPA members. Currently, discussions are
occurring with Welch Allyn medical equipment company, Prescriber’s letter, LA Fitness, CVS, and Uniform Shop.
Membership Fees
Objective:
Review the cost for Fellow membership fees
Rationale:
IAPA Fellow Fee—$110.00
Average fee for fellow members of
North Central Region $104.00
“Where we want to be” $100.00
“Where we currently are”^ $72.00
Proposal:
Consider reducing membership fees
Recommendation:
Either begin meeting the expectation of what an organization should be or if man-power, desire, etc is not available, reduce the
rates to comparable sized organizations of $75.00
Possible because most communication is electronic
^ Comparison of similar AAPA constituent organizations using the number of licensed PAs in the state
7
Membership Fees
Objective:
Review the cost of Student membership fee
Rationale:
IAPA—currently $20.00 through December of the year student graduates
North Central Region Average $11.00 for student member fee
Range 0 - $25; mode = $10.00
“Where we want to be” Average $23.00 for student member fee
Range $13 – $25; mode = $25.00
“Where we are” Average $13.00 for student member fee
Range 0 - $30; mode = $10.00
Proposal:
Consider reducing membership fees
Recommendation:
Either increase the value of the IAPA membership to students or reduce the rates to comparable sized organizations to $15.00.
This is feasible because most communication is electronic
Membership Category
Objective:
Increase supervising physician support of the IAPA
Rationale:
Congratulations on supervising physician membership—forward thinking!
Currently, a Fellow fee is $110; physician fee is $110
The IAPA might increase from the support of the supervising physician and also increase dues revenue if a category is added
that combines a PA’s membership with their supervising physicians.
8
When a PA joins the IAPA with their physician, this would increase revenue by $40. It would enhance the concept of team
practice and the number of physicians supporting the IAPA.
Proposal:
Add a new category membership of Physician: PA membership
Recommendation:
1. Add a level of physician: PA membership
2. Add to online application form
New Ideas…
Objective:
Increase membership opportunities
Rationale:
Increase perceived value of IAPA membership.
Ultimately increase membership rate and retention of members
Proposal:
Increase opportunities for physician assistants in Indiana
Recommendation:
1. Create an online pictorial of PA members who agree to information and pictures on secure member website, similar to
ISMA pictorial directory. Allow PAs to update their personal information through password protected interface (See
Michigan website: MAPA Member Directory)
2. Develop mentorship for new PAs to the state or to students who want to practice in Indiana (see Ohio website)
3. Develop “If you want to be a Preceptor” site to enhance relationships with education programs (see Michigan website)
4. Award the program with the most students who are members of IAPA (relative percent of total enrolled in program) with a
plaque (see Iowa Website)
5. Increase communications to members of board actions that enhance PA practice environment in Indiana
6. Ask practicing PAs and students to be members!
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APPENDIX A
Comparison of Constituency Organizations
North Central Regional States
Student
Awards
Fellow
Awards
Social
Events
Job
Postings
Preceptor
Page (go
to if want
to
become
preceptor)
Resources
Pictorial
directory?/
electronic
membership
directory /
profile
√
√
√
√
MI
√
IA
√
√
√
√
WI
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
OH
MN
√
√
√
√
NE
√
SD
IL
√
√
√
Newsletter
Web
presence
--links
etc
Legislative
Support
Annual
Conference
√
√
√
√x2
√
√
√
√x2
√
√
√
√x2
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
MO
ND
Discounts
√
√
√
√
√
√
√X2
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
Regions
Survey
Membership
online with
or without
enticement
(iPod
winner)
√
√
√
√
10
Comparison of North Central Region Fees
Fellow
$175.00
$125.00
$125.00
$150.00
$125.00
$100.00
$75.00
$75.00
$50.00
$150.00
MI
IA
WI
OH
MN
MO
NE
SD
ND
IL
Affiliate
$65.00
$150.00
$125.00
$75.00
$100.00
$100.00
$50.00
$75.00
$50.00
$125.00
Student
$10
$25.00
$10.00
$25.00
$15.00
$20.00
$0
$0
$10.00
$20.00
Associate
NA
$40.00
$125.00
$150.00
$125.00
$100.00
$57.00
$50.00
$50.00
$60.00
Other
NA
NA
NA
$250.00*
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
*Other Physician/PA
“Where We Want to Be” PA Organizations
KS
KY
SC
TN
Student
Awards
Fellow
Awards
√
√
Social
Events
Job
Postings
Preceptor
Page (go
to if want
to
become
preceptor)
Resources
Pictorial
directory?/
electronic
membership
directory /
profile
Discounts
Newsletter
Web
presence
--links
etc
Legislative
Support
√
Annual
Conference
Regions
Survey
Membership
online with
or without
enticement
(iPod
winner)
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
11
Comparison of other State PA Organizations Membership Costs
KS
KY
SC
TN
*Other Physician/PA
Fellow
$75.00
$100.00
$75.00
$150.00
Affiliate
$25.00
$100.00
$75.00
$125.00
Student
$25.00
$25.00
$13.00
$25.00
Associate
$75.00
$100.00
$50.00
$100.00
Other
NA
$150.00*
NA
NA
Other Indiana Professional Healthcare Organizations
Indiana State Medical Association
Member Benefits:
Student Awards, Student Society, Preceptor Page (go to if want to become preceptor), Field Representatives--coordinate membership benefits;
education of policy and procedures staff/medicine, Pictorial Directory, Coding Hotline, Claims and Reimbursement Assistance, Compliance
Training, Personal Insurance Agency, Office Depot Discount, Newsletter, Web Presence providing links, Billing Specialists Discounts for
Recoverable Funds, Legislative Support, Networking, Annual Conference, Regions, Fellow Awards, Survey Membership online with enticement
(iPod winner), Links for Advocacy on webpage
Costs:
$720.00/year
$365.00/first year
$50.00/resident
$0 for all medical students
12
Preceptor Page
(go to if want
to become
preceptor)
Indiana APN
Organization
Coalition of
Advanced Practice
Nurses (1999)
√
Indiana State
Nursing
Association
√
Indiana Society or
Respiratory Care
Fellow
Awards
Social
Events
Newsletter
√
√
√
Web
presence -links etc
√
Legislative
Support
√
√
√
√
Annual
Conference
Regions
Membership
Costs
√
√
$100.00/fellow
$40.00/students
√
√
$180.00/year
No
distinguishing
categories
√
$75.00
Automatic state
membership if
national
member; no
indication of
state alone
13
References
1. Snyder, J., J. Zorn, T. Gjerde, J. Burkhart, L. Rosebrock. Indiana Workforce manuscript submitted to JAAPA August 5, 2010
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