Elections 2017

President Elect Platform

Rock A. Munsee, MPAS, PA-C

Couple of years ago as President, I pledged to move the Veterans Caucus forward in strategic planning, making our organization more financially prepared for the future to continue the Topics in the Tropic, the scholarship program, and the Memorial Day ceremony. At that time, the BOD was looking at a transition for the organizing and planning of the Topics in the Tropics and the AAPA annual conference was moving to a different week away from our traditional Memorial Day ceremony. We were also looking at ways to build our membership for the future and communicate more efficiently within the organization.

Those were hefty goals to pursue but the Caucus leadership during my tenure as President and my successor moved forward and worked on building a workable budget, prepared to take over the organization and planning of the Topics in the Tropics, and transitioned the Memorial Ceremony. We have been trying to streamlined the HOD position for continuity and worked on other veteran physician assistant initiatives such as the Physician Assistant Memorial Garden project.

As I finish up my tenure as the Past President, my vision for the Veterans Caucus is still not completed and there is more that needs to be accomplish. For example, I would like to see the Caucus and the VA Physician Assistant organization come together to serve the veteran on a common ground. The Caucus leadership could be more involved with the leadership of the AAPA and PAEA in the changing health care environment so we have more of a national voice. Lastly, we must continue our foundation as an organization and build the scholarship and CME programs and honor those veterans who have served in the past, present, and in the future.

Therefore, I submit myself as a candidate for President Elect again to continue that charge to accomplish these goals.

Respectfully

Rock A. Munsee, MPAS, PA-C
Past President

I am a 1988 graduate of the US Army PA program in conjunction with the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. I have been a Fellow of TAPA for 30 years, am a lifetime member of the Veterans Caucus and a current Distinguished Fellow with AAPA. 

Recently a Retired Colonel of the US Army having served as Battalion PA for Armor and Mechanized Infantry and Senior PA for the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Light).

Additionally, I have served as preceptor to numerous PA students in my 29 years of Emergency and Family Medicine.

As a member of the Veterans Caucus Board, I would:

• Work to enhance PA full practice authority
• Work to improve care to Veterans and reduce claims processing time
• Recommend candidates for PA school selection
• Work to reduce Veterans suicide by pushing for improved mental health access
• Work for enhanced access to the Veterans Choice Program

Matthew J. Conde, MS, PA-C
Colonel, SP, USA (RET)

Veterans Caucus of the AAPA platform statement for Robert Nydam, PA-C

Although I am a new PA-C, just over a year I am not new to medicine. I graduated PA school after retiring from the Air Force. I have previously served on the board as the student representative. During that time, I was able to start the conversation on mentorship and reaching out in the digital age to the next generation of PA. I would very much like to continue down that path and have a few ideas about mentoring. Resume writing workshop, whether online or in person at Topics would be helpful. From my personal experience, I know how hard it is to translate military jargon in the civilian world, and I know there are some great resources within the Veterans Caucus to lean on. POD casts seem to be growing in popularity, that may also be a way to reach out to a wider audience and gain support. Regardless of the outcome of the election, it is my intention to promote the Veterans Caucus at every opportunity. Thank you for your consideration.

Robert (Bob) Nydam, PA-C
MSgt USAF Ret

If you are eligible to vote in this years Veterans Caucus Election, you have already recieved an email with the directions and link for online voting.