Thank You for an Incredible Year and a Half as your SAPA President!

Dear SAPA Members and Board of Directors,

As I conclude my term, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for an incredible year and a half. It has been a privilege to serve as your President and to witness the remarkable progress we have achieved together.

This past year and a half has seen significant developments for SAPA. One of our most notable achievements has been successfully relocating our annual conference to San Antonio—a vibrant city that truly underscores our ongoing commitment to providing world-class continuing medical education. Beyond our dedication to education, SAPA has also intensified its advocacy efforts, championing the PA profession in both military and civilian sectors. We have laid critical groundwork to better assist retired Army PAs making their transition into civilian practice, ensuring their expertise and experience continue to enrich our communities.

In alignment with the nationwide evolution of our profession, we formally adopted the title “Physician Associate,” maintaining “Physician Assistant” in conjunction until the Department of Defense and all states complete the transition. This initiative reflects our forward-thinking approach and our dedication to elevating and clarifying our professional identity.

Our most recent conference in San Antonio was truly one for the books. We were honored to host the Army Surgeon General as our keynote speaker, underscoring the significance of our mission and the respect SAPA has garnered across the military medical community. We also took great pride in recognizing BG Bill Soliz, our Active Duty Director, who made history as the first Active Duty Army PA to become a General Officer. His achievement is a testament to the ever-growing opportunities for PAs in leadership. 

With heartfelt enthusiasm, I now pass the reins of leadership to COL Sharon Rosser, our incoming SAPA President. She will be supported by this year’s outstanding Board of Directors:

MAJ Travis Kaufman, President-Elect
COL James Jones, Active Duty Director
COL Dennis Rieke, National Guard Director
COL Paul Carsen, Reserve Director
Scott Festa, Civilian Director
Frank Piper, Federal Services Director
Christopher Mueller, Retired Director
MAJ Dan Perez, Treasurer
Pauline Gross, Conference Director
Bob Potter, Executive Director

I also want to express my sincere appreciation to our outgoing board members, BG Bill Soliz, MAJ Jeri Starling, MAJ Julie Catron, and Karen Reedy. Your dedication and passion have driven SAPA forward and paved the way for the next generation of leaders. It has been an honor serving with you to advance the PA profession and strengthen our community.

Although my term as President has come to a close, I am grateful to remain on the board in the role of Past President. I look forward to supporting COL Rosser, our new Board of Directors, and all SAPA members in the year ahead. Thank you once again for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this incredible organization and for your unwavering support as we continue to elevate our mission, serve our communities, and advocate for the growth of the PA profession.

Sincerely,

LTC(P) Tim Jayne
Outgoing President 
SAPA 2024-25