Bob who has been a PA since 1984 says, "When asked what I do by someone who has not had experience with a 'PA' my  answer is generally that 'I practice medicine as a physician assistant.'"   He even recalls someone saying, "Oh yeah, I think my doctor is a PA!

The profession of physician assistants began after the Viet Nam war, when Dr. Eugene Stead realized that the surplus of medics who had frontline war experience could learn to extend the services of physicians.  Fortunately (for PA's), the initial thought of having R.N.'s become PA's was rejected by the nursing bureaucracy that govern nursing.  Later nurses realized their mistake and began training Nurse Practitioners in the same model as PA's.  Last year we learned of the death of the great Dr., in June 2005 at age 96.  The PA profession owes him everything.   Thanks Dr. Stead.  Happy landings to you wherever your next flight takes you.   The role of the PA has expanded over the years, and there are over 50,000 practicing PA's in the United States.  The profession is certified by a national commission, (NCCPA) which administers exams, and re-certification exams. PA's practice family medicine, emergency medicine, surgical assisting, orthopedics, dermatology, urology, neurology, and all the other specialties.

Both Bob and Jennifer of OTG Adventures Inc., are PA's, and one of the primary missions of OTG is to place them in remote practice settings. There they provide primary and emergency care to differing populations of native Alaskans, fishermen, fish processors, and the general public who live in these areas.