PAPAG Awards

PAPAG Junior and Senior Physician Assistant of the Year Award

The Physician Assistant Professional Advisory Group (PAPAG) established the PAPAG Physician Assistant (PA) of the Year Award in 2005. It is presented to a PHS PA who is recognized for outstanding leadership, exceptional clinical contributions and/or exemplary service and accomplishments which positively impact the Public Health Service and the PA Profession. Since 2016, two PAs (1 Junior and 1 Senior) have been recognized each year for this prestigious award. The RADM Epifanio “Epi” Elizondo PA of the Year Award will be awarded to a Senior Officer (O-5 and above) and the RADM Michael R. Milner PA of the Year Award will be awarded to a Junior Officer (O-4 and below).

RADM Epifanio “Epi” Elizondo Physician Assistant of the Year Award

In August 2010, RADM Elizondo was appointed Chief Professional Officer (CPO) for the Health Service Officers (HSO) category. RADM Elizondo served as the CPO for over five years and implemented numerous policies, which have enhanced the capabilities of the HSO category. RADM Elizondo was appointed to the position of Region VI Regional Health Administrator, for which in August 2012, he was promoted to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) making him the highest ranking Physician Assistant in the seven uniformed services. Prior to joining the USPHS Commissioned Corps, Admiral Elizondo served in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force. Despite his numerous professional achievements, RADM Elizondo never forgot his clinical roots and continued to maintain his clinical competency at a local medical treatment facility until his retirement in 2016. This award is presented to a Senior Grade (O-5 and above) USPHS PA who is recognized for outstanding leadership, exceptional clinical contributions and/or exemplary service and accomplishments which positively impact the Public Health Service and Physician Assistant profession.

RADM Michael R. Milner Physician Assistant of the Year Award

Before receiving his commission into the U.S. Public Health Service in 1989, RADM Milner served in the U.S. Air Force. He is the first Physician Assistant in any uniformed service to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral and held the title of Assistant United States Surgeon General. From 2003 until his retirement RADM Milner served as the Regional Health Administrator for HHS Region I. He was recognized as the 2012 AAPA President’s Award recipient for his lifetime contributions to the PA profession. RADM Milner was the first recipient of the Physician Assistant of the Year Award in 2005. This award is presented to a Junior Grade (O-4 and below) USPHS PA who is recognized for outstanding leadership, exceptional clinical contributions and/or exemplary service and accomplishments, which positively impact the U.S. Public Health Service and Physician Assistant profession.

Eligibility

Any active duty PHS PA Commissioned Officer may be nominated. One Junior and one Senior nominee will be chosen each year for the PAPAG PA of the Year award. Any PHS officer, PHS employee or professional colleague may nominate an eligible PHS Officer. Self-nominations are not allowed. Voting Members of the PAPAG are not eligible.

Award Criteria

Each recipient shall demonstrate one or more of the following activities during a current tour of active duty with the PHS. Activities and accomplishments in prior tours, with prior services or as a civilian do not qualify.

• Outstanding, unquestionable leadership in the Public Health Service including, but not limited to, mentoring and impacting fellow PAs.
• Clinical excellence evidenced by quality work, improved outcomes with demonstrated and documented impact to patients.
• The application of unique skills or creativity in the approach or solution of a situation(s).
• Contribution or accomplishment which notably impacts and improves public health.
• Professional contributions significant to a division, bureau, agency, community, state, region, or the nation.
• Courage and integrity in hazardous, austere or emergency environments.

The recipient must meet basic readiness standards. The award will be presented annually at the Commissioned Officers Association Symposium.

Nomination Procedure

As per instructions in the Award Announcement that will be sent to the PAPAG list serve, the PA of the Year Nomination Package is to include:

• Nomination Cover Sheet
• Curriculum Vitae - Utilizing current HSO guidelines
• Narrative not to exceed 2 pages single-spaced 1-inch margins (font size 12) that describes:

• • The reason for nomination, area of impact, or extraordinary service (including specific information about the nominee and how their role exceeded normal work requirements)
  • Career highlights and current job description
  • Overall contributions to the Corps
• Note: Incomplete packages will not be reviewed.
• Completed nomination packages as a single PDF file are to be submitted to the PAPAG Awards Subcommittee Chair via email by midnight on the date noted in the Nomination Package.
• List of PA of the Year Awardees