Congratulations to SPAR’s 2009/2010 Board!
See below statements for more information on the candidates

Don Flinn/President Elect
I would like to submit my name for consideration for President-Elect of the Society of Physician Assistant’s in Rheumatology. I feel that I am qualified and submit the following for review.

I was a charter member of SPAR, joining at our first meeting and paying my dues, even before we were officially a real special interest group. I have assisted Rick Pope in nudging this group forward to a special interest group then forward again to a full fledged Specialty organization within the AAPA and a vote on the floor of the HOD. Now comes the real challenge, we have plateaued and must climb higher from here. I have served SPAR as Vice President since inception in 2003 and wrote our initial Bylaws and policies. I have remained active in all aspects of running SPAR with our President.

On my resume I have worn many hats to prepare me for the position of President-Elect of SPAR. I have served as President-Elect, President and Past President of the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants for three different terms 1988 to 1991, 1991 to 1994 and 1997 to 1999. I served as treasurer of Oklahoma academy 1995 and 1996. I have been a Member at large on the board of directors from Oklahoma since 1986 until the present.

I served as Director at Large for the American Academy of Physician Assistants from 1999 to 2001 and during that time served as chair of the Internal Affairs Committee for the BOD in 2000.

I have served in the House of Delegates for the Oklahoma Academy for ten years and have been their chief delegate for four of those years. I have served on reference committees and chaired reference committees in five different years during my tenure in the HOD.

I serve as an adjunct professor to the University of Oklahoma Physician Associate Program since 1984 and teach several classes each year. I also take students in their second year as a clinical preceptor on their rotations. I serve on the admissions committee to the OUHSC PA program and have done so since 1995.

I serve as a member of the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. I am currently starting my third term, first appointed 1993 to 1996 then 2005 to 2008.

Hopefully all the hats that I have worn and that I currently wear will assure the constituents that I am qualified to fill the post of President-Elect of SPAR and will feel confident in voting for me in the election.

Anthony Giannelli/Vice President
I have been a Rheumatology PA for 13 years and a SPAR Member at large for almost 4 years. I represented SPAR at the NCCPA Specialty Certification Meeting in Atlanta 2 years ago, have been helping to design the Rheumatology 101 course, have advised the board on .nuances, membership/dues issues, lectured when asked, and done whatever the President wanted me to do. I am in both clinical and research Rheumatology, working with 3 Rheumatologists in Battle Creek, MI, for over 8 years. I am a Clinical Instructor at Michigan State University Dept. of IM and guest lecturer at the Western Michigan University PA program. I hold a Master's degree in Healthcare Admin, I have been married for 31 years, have 3 children, 2 grandchildren, and lead a men’s group at church. I would very much like to be your new vice president and serve the best interests of the membership.

Trishna Patel/Treasurer
I nominate myself, Trishna Patel PA-C, for SPAR Treasurer. I graduated from Mercy College PA Program in August 2005 with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. I have been working at the Arthritis Center of CT since May 2006. I am currently the Treasurer of SPAR and have held this position since June of 2006. I have been maintaining detailed records of SPAR’s finances and providing annual financial reports. I am interested in continuing this duty and feel I am qualified to do so because of the experience I have gained over the years and my organizational skills.

Susan Richmond, PA-C/Secretary
I am pleased to be considered for the SPAR Board Secretary position. The field of Rheumatology has proven to be quite challenging, and is an exciting new opportunity for all interested Physician Assistants to flourish in this specialty.

As a 2005 graduate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, I originally worked in Primary Care, and later transitioned to Rheumatology. I have been fortunate to be involved in learning new techniques, including Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders as well as inflammatory arthropathies.

While I have not directly performed the duties of a Secretary in the past, I was previously involved in an administrative capacity in a volunteer organization, as well as organizational duties related to prior employment in a supervisory role. I am currently employed as a Physician Assistant in a solo Rheumatology practice. It would be my pleasure to serve as Secretary of SPAR.

Barbara Slusher/Member at Large
I am seeking the position of SPAR Member At Large. I currently serve as SPAR Secretary and enjoy working with other board members to achieve SPAR’s mission.

I first became involved with SPAR 3 years ago when I was considering a job in Rheumatology. I searched the AAPA website for information about rheumatology PA’s and was referred to the SPAR website. The website was a great place to get more information about PAs in rheumatology. I was able to connect with SPAR officers and requested a free DVD detailing the role of PAs in rheumatology. I also accessed information from the study authored by Dr. Rod Hooker, entitled, "Characteristics of PAs in Rheumatology". This was an invaluable source for a new rheumatology PA. I shared the DVD and study information with my new employing physician (who had never hired a PA before) making it an easy transition for both of us. What a wonderful warm welcome to the specialty!

So I know firsthand how important it is to have an active membership organization like SPAR that can be a resource for PAs and MDs alike. Our mission of enhancing care to rheumatology patients and strengthening the physician-PA team is critical to the success of the rheumatology specialty as a whole.

Presently, as SPAR secretary, I enjoy attending and keeping minutes for our teleconference and in-person meetings as well contributing articles for the SPAR Reporter. I’m also an active member of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) and am presently chair of the ARHP Advanced Practice Skills Course task force. This task force developed a hands-on musculoskeletal exam and joint injection workshop that is an adjunct to the new NP/PA Postgraduate rheumatology training program. I enjoy being involved in these types of activities that help strengthen the clinical knowledge and relationships between rheumatology healthcare providers such as NPs , PAs and MDs.

Overall, I have lots of energy and like to think outside of the box. I believe I have the skills and experience to be an effective Member At Large. I hope you will consider me for the position of Member At Large so that I can continue to help achieve SPAR’s mission.