Membership January to December Join Now! click here Membership SPAO-HNS is the official specialty organization for Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery. It is recognized by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery (AAO).
The goal of SPAO-HNS is to promote the growth and development of Physician Assistants in the ENT field. This non-profit organization was founded in 1991 and is operated exclusively for the educational and scientific benefit of its members.
Why join SPAO? Through our liaison with the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) and our various presentations and exhibits, we have been able to better inform and educate ENT Physicians about the scope of practice and training of Physician Assistants. As a direct result of these networking efforts there has been an increase in PA acceptance and employment opportunities.
Membership Benefits Our newsletter, The Vanguard , was first published in 1992. Since then, it has grown to a quarterly newsletter full of useful information concerning meetings, billing information, CME news, membership updates and relevant clinical and business information.
As an added bonus, members also receive a complimentary subscription to ENT Journal. This monthly peer- reviewed magazine features original articles and provides excellent color pictures of interesting ENT cases. Now subscribe on-line in our Members Only Section.
Each member is recognized for his or her commitment to the advancement of physician assistants in ENT with a Membership Certificate.
The Works-Benefits Survey compiles key financial and clinical information pertaining to compensation and scope of practice as compared to participating society members nationwide. This is a vital bargaining tool for PA's when it comes to contract negotiations and scope of practice issues. Keep abreast of current trends in your profession.
The society offers scholarships to PA students enrolled in accredited PA programs with an interest in ENT. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and future goals as a PA.
Members have an excellent opportunity to network with other PA's that share similar interests at our various meetings. They also receive an annual Membership Directory that lets them contact other members.
Reduced registration fees to SPAO sponsored CME Meetings
Representation of ENT PAs - SPAO Leaders accurately represent the PA Profession to AAO-HNSF via our AAO-HNSF Liaison.
In 2009, SPAO obtained “Society Representative” status for two SPAO members to the AAO-HNSF Board of Governors.
AAO-HNS granted Academy U® access to free CME for PA Affiliate members.
AAPA House of Delegates representation, Leadership and Medical Liaison participation, and input to AAPA and NCCPA surveys on Specialty Certification.
Membership Categories Fellow - A Fellow member is a graduate of an accredited PA Program or NCCPA certified PA, and a fellow member of The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) currently employed in an ENT setting. Fellow members have floor privileges, voting, and may hold or chair committees. Associate - An Associate member must meet the eligibility criteria outlined for a Fellow, but is not currently employed in an ENT setting. Associate members are entitled to floor privileges, voting, and may hold or chair committees. Sustaining - Sustaining membership is available to any PA eligible for fellow membership that is not presently practicing medicine or a member of AAPA. Student - Student membership is open to any student currently enrolled in a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) as a Physician Assistant Program or a Surgeon Assistant Program.
The Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery