President's Column | January 2023

Feb 2, 2023

Dear Colleagues,  

Another year is upon us. Every New Year’s Eve I am reminded of something my dad said to me on my graduation day from PA school as I was on the brink of true adulthood. “Every year older you get, the faster the years go by.” I was bewildered with how long it seemed to take to accomplish my double major undergraduate degree and my masters, yet I blinked, and I was done. Interesting how both feelings can co-exist.  

My dad, as usual, was right. At the end of each year, I reminisce on the life lived the last 365 days and it always feels like the time slipped away faster than it seemed when in the midst of it. That feeling has never felt stronger than this past year.  

The birth of my second child, followed by the struggle of postpartum depression consumed the first few months of the year. I felt like I was in a real life “Groundhog Day” and time seemed to be at a standstill. I was used to being on the go and being in the same place (and clothes) each day did not prove healthy for me. Turning 40 a few months later was a milestone I was proud to welcome and had been looking forward to, yet as it approached, I thought about how quickly this blessing had arrived. Travels for speaking engagements and conferences, full-time clinic and managing a family of four began after my maternity leave was completed and kept my mind on overdrive. Those months seemed to fly by and for once the thief of time was a blessing. Keeping busy and getting back to my “new” normal helped me mentally and I began to feel like myself again day by day. I blinked and July 1st was here, and I became President of this impactful organization. Since then, there have been days that seemed like they would never end, while, other days the responsibilities outnumbered the hours in the day and weeks went by seemingly overnight. My new baby celebrated monthly milestones, my oldest son and husband made football then basketball season their focus. For me, the presidency, clinic and educational responsibilities consumed any time I was not sleeping or being a “mom” or “wife” for the rest of this past year. How is it now over… how did I get to 2023 already yet feel like last year was the longest of my life? As my dad says, “That’s life.”  

As much as I look back on my year personally, I also reflect on what the year meant professionally for our organization. The exit of our executive director of several years brought with it the hiring of our interim executive director. His support and guidance have energized our staff and leaders and with my desire to get back to the basics, we have refocused on our vision and mission remembering it “Starts with Why.” As our organization has grown to over 4,700 members, the need for more staff has prompted the hiring of three additional staff members who will help us better serve you. Likewise, the staff and Board have been reviewing the organization’s policies, procedures and bylaws to bring SDPA current and maximize our efficiency.  

Our committees grew this past year and have more volunteers than in many years. The JDPA Editorial Board grew to 10 and we now have 45 peer reviewers. JDPA staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to become indexed which will promote PA writers and our profession by increasing the visibility of both within the medical world. The Legislative Committee continues to improve the SDPA’s Legislative Action Center and advocate for our profession and patients through the support of important legislation.

The Membership Committee continues to develop a new practice survey that will account for all aspects of clinical practice and be more relevant for the ever-changing landscape of our profession. The Distance Education Committee provided several engaging and clinically interesting webinars and online education opportunities for members who enjoy learning and earning CME on demand. Diplomate Fellowship Advisory Panel continues to work on updating the content and improving the online experience of the SDPA’s flagship training program. And finally, the dedicated CME Committee planned and executed two hugely successful, engaging and entertaining conferences this past year, with Fall 2022 hitting a record high attendance of over 900 attendees.  

Personally, I am working toward programs in mentorship and professional development in hopes of providing you with tools to serve you both in and outside of daily clinic. As we have proven, our profession is multifaceted and we can excel in numerous aspects of clinical practice, whether research, authorship, lecturing, etc.  

I am proud of the progress our organization made in the last year. The last six months have been a time of great growth for SDPA on multiple levels and I have challenged the staff to carry the momentum into 2023. There is still work to be done and ideas to bring to fruition.  

As we enter this new year, I challenge each of you to reach for progress, personally or professionally. Whether you are a fan of making New Year’s resolutions or not, use this year and all the opportunities it will bring to better yourself or the life of someone else.   New Year’s resolutions are not my thing. I don’t agree with limiting myself to progressing once a year, I look at that as a daily goal. I am challenging our organization to implement this same mindset throughout 2023. Our efforts to best serve you and advocate for our profession will not begin and end this month. Along with the other dedicated leaders and staff, I give you my commitment to keep you and our profession at the forefront of the vision and mission in all that we do this coming year. Though not a resolution, that commitment will stand the test of time.

 

Yours Truly,

Lauren Miller, MPAS, PA-C

President, SDPA Board of Directors