AF Physician Assistants earn award from national association Published July 1, 2008 By Christopher Doscher AAPA News SAN ANTONIO -- The Society of Air Force Physician Assistants (SAFPA) was recently honored in the Large Constituent Category by the American Academy of Physician Assistants for its excellence in Continuing Medical Education (CME) programming for physician assistants in the uniformed services. "In 2007, the various uniformed service PA organizations decided to unite to present a joint Federal Service Physician Assistants CME conference," said Linda Contreras, chair of the AAPA Constituent Relations Committee. "The SAFPA leadership elected to spearhead the planning of the conference, which offered quality CME relevant to both homeland and deployed military members." The meeting focused on the unique nature of military medicine in the uniformed services, and the difficulties PAs in the services faced while attending to homeleand issues of defense and routine medical care as well as care of the wounded, Contreras said. "It's thrilling to have SAFPA recognized by our national organization," said Maj. Melanie Ellis, SAFPA president. "The officers on the SAFPA board of directors have worked incredibly hard to improve our society and what we can offer members. This is only the beginning! We have plans to continue our forward momentum for the advancement of our organization."