Dear APAO Members and PA’s interested in Oncology,

I feel extremely privileged and excited to write this message to you.

I feel honored to have been elected to represent YOU! I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the APAO happenings and some new projects the APAO will undertake during this coming year.

Plans to update the APAO Website is underway to provide you with more information about the organization’s happenings, the field of Oncology, and offer oncology resources for you. We have selected a website committee that will work with COMS to create a new and improved website. More details to follow in the coming months.

The APAO annual conferences are the becoming exceedingly popular. The Conference Planning Committee has worked long and hard to put together an educational program with selected Oncology topics that will assist you in clinical practice. A special thank you to Dave Johnson, PA-C and his committee for organizing a spectacular conference. Stay Tuned for more information on the 2009 APAO Annual Conference led by Deborah Yolin-Raley, PA-C in Boston, MA, more information to follow in the coming months.

Developing future leaders in the organization is an ongoing goal for the APAO leadership. We are always searching for new leaders and members that are interesting in getting involved in various committees. The Board of Directors will be proposing a new and improved electoral process for future elections.

We have appointed a student member to join our Board of Directors and represent those students that are interested in developing a career in Oncology. With the unstable future regarding the supply and demand of oncologists, it is important to educate students regarding the field of oncology and the satisfaction associated with becoming an Oncology/Hematology Physician Assistant.

It is a personal goal during the next year to target PA programs nationwide and increase the knowledge of PA students regarding the field of oncology. If you are an educator or would like to help the APAO by reaching out to your local PA programs in your states, send an email to daynepa@gmail.com.

I would like to thank all of you for your continued support to the APAO. I look forward to representing the APAO in this coming year!

APAO OncoNews 1st Edition, January 2009	Click here to Download