| R 336 |
| 2026 -- H 8554 Enacted 05/14/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RHODE ISLAND ACADEMY OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AND COMMENDING ITS LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEALTH CARE IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Felix, Hopkins, Paplauskas, Place, Donovan, and Solomon |
| Date Introduced: May 14, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants (RIAPA) was founded |
| in 1976 as a chartered constituent organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, |
| thereby establishing organized professional representation for Physician Assistants in the State of |
| Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, The year 1976 also marked the enactment by the Rhode Island General |
| Assembly of Chapter 5-54 of the Rhode Island General Laws, authorizing the practice of |
| Physician Assistants and providing the statutory foundation for the growth and advancement of |
| the profession within the state; and |
| WHEREAS, For fifty years, the Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants has |
| advanced the Physician Assistant profession through advocacy, education, and public service, |
| consistently working to strengthen the quality, accessibility, and continuity of health care across |
| Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, Physician Assistants practicing in Rhode Island have played a vital role in |
| expanding access to high quality, patient centered health care in communities throughout the state |
| and have supported the ongoing modernization of practice laws, thereby strengthening the state’s |
| healthcare delivery system and improving outcomes for Rhode Islanders; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants has been recognized as |
| a national leader in legislative and regulatory advocacy, working diligently to remove |
| unnecessary barriers to practice, promote team-based care, and establish one of the strongest and |
| most supportive practice environments for Physician Assistants in the United States; now, |
| therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes and celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Rhode Island Academy of Physician |
| Assistants and commends its members for their unwavering dedication to the health and well- |
| being of the people of Rhode Island; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House hereby expresses its deep appreciation for RIAPA’s |
| leadership, advocacy, and enduring contributions to health care in this state, and acknowledges its |
| essential role in shaping a modern, forward looking practice environment that supports Physician |
| Assistants and enhances access to care for all Rhode Islanders; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Academy of Physician |
| Assistants. |
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| LC006392 |
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