PA Week – October 6, 2026

Expected PA Week Deals

PA Week is a prime opportunity for healthcare organizations and businesses to show appreciation for Physician Assistants. While direct consumer deals are less common, many employers and professional associations organize recognition events. Look for special luncheons, gift certificate programs from companies like Starbucks or DoorDash, and discounts on medical supplies from vendors like Medline or Henry Schein. Professional organizations such as the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) often promote member benefits and educational resources. Medical apparel brands like Figs and Cherokee Uniforms may offer exclusive discounts for PAs. We will update this page with confirmed live appreciation programs as October 6 approaches.

History of PA Week

Physician assistants are medical professionals with thousands of hours of training. Their skills enable them to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and perform many medical tasks.

As their name implies, PAs work closely with doctors and other healthcare providers. In most states, a PA has an agreement with a specific physician and practices alongside them. Physicians can oversee up to 4 PAs. The supervising physician doesn’t have to be present when a PA is practicing, letting them take care of other tasks while the PA continues patient care. Physician Assistants can prescribe and administer medication, acting on behalf of their supervising physician. In some cases, PAs can even perform surgical procedures that use local anesthesia without the supervision of the physician.

In contrast with Nurse Practitioners, who specialize in one area of medicine, PAs have a strong background in general medicine. This enables them to notice things that specialists might miss, making them a crucial component of a complete healthcare team. By relieving some of the duties of physicians, PAs help alleviate the pressure faced by overworked doctors and strained hospitals and clinics.

Established in 1968 as the American Association of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Physician Assistants was instrumental in the development of nationwide standards and PA certification. Today, they promote the profession and lobby for benefits for its members. Its first members were graduates of Duke University’s Physician Assistant program, the first in the country. Today, there are over 140,000 PAs practicing in the U.S., making 400 million patient interactions each year.