Vice President, Health Equity & DEI

Application Process for the AAPA VP Health Equity & DEI Leadership Role

Applications cannot be submitted on this site and must be submitted via the process outlined below:

Please apply directly via the WittKieffer website which can be accessed here. A resume and cover letter are required to apply and all inquiries will be handled in strict confidence.

Candidates can obtain a full role description by visiting the WittKieffer website at www.wittkieffer.com, selecting the ‘For Candidates’ tab and then registering via the ‘Become a Candidate’ link. If you have trouble logging into the WittKieffer portal or have additional questions, please contact the consultants supporting this search directly, Rachel Polhemus and John Fazekas via: [email protected].

WittKieffer is the premier executive search and advisory firm developing inclusive, impactful leadership teams for organizations that improve quality of life. For more than 50 years, we have operated exclusively at the intersection of not-for-profit and for-profit healthcare delivery, science, and education – the Quality of Life Ecosystem. Through our expert executive search services as well as our Professional Search, Interim Leadership, and Leadership Advisory solutions, we strengthen organizations that make the world better. Visit WittKieffer.com to learn more.

Organization Overview

Founded in 1968, the American Academy of Physician Associates is the national professional society for PAs (physician associates/physician assistants). It represents a profession of more than 168,000 PAs and over 20,000 students across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and the uniformed services. AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. They work to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence, and recognition of PAs, while also enhancing their ability to improve the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare.

The American Academy of Physician Associates was established and incorporated in the state of North Carolina in 1968 as the American Association of PAs. Initial membership was made up of the first students and graduates of the Duke University PA program, among which were former military corpsmen. In 1973, 300 members strong, a joint national headquarters for AAPA and the Association of PA Programs (now the PA Education Association) was established in Washington, D.C. The headquarters moved to Arlington, Virginia in the late 1970s and to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia in 1988. The Academy moved to its current location in the Carlyle area of Alexandria in 2011.

PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the PA profession.

The Opportunity

The American Academy of Physician Associates seeks a dynamic executive to serve as their Vice President, Health Equity & DEI. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, with the flexibility to work in a remote capacity, this VP is primarily responsible for leading and implementing the AAPA and the PA Foundation’s overall health equity strategy, which aims to improve health equity for all by taking action to eliminate healthcare disparities and foster equity within the profession and healthcare as a whole. This is a unique opportunity to join the national membership organization for all PAs that was founded in 1968 and today represents a profession of more than 168,300 PAs across all medical settings and specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and the uniformed services. AAPA works to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence, and recognition of PAs. AAPA also enhances their ability to improve the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare.

This Vice President Health Equity & DEI will serve as a subject matter expert for the organization in health equity, but also as a key contributor and operational leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization. Business acumen, executive presence, and extraordinary communication and relationship-building skills are essential. The VP will work closely, collaboratively, and cross-functionally across all facets of the organization, both internally and externally, including staff, board, volunteer leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure all goals are being met.

This leader will be responsible for developing, leading, and implementing action plans to advance AAPA’s overall mission, vision, and strategy as it pertains to health equity. This role requires an executive with maturity, gravitas, and proven success – a recognized thought leader on the topic of health equity with the ability and demonstrated history of engaging the underserved communities affected by health disparities.

Externally, this VP will elevate and promote AAPA’s, constituent organizations’ and other stakeholders’ work as it pertains to diversity, equity, and inclusion. According to a 2023 survey from The Harris Poll, more than half of U.S. adults (54%) report feeling more comfortable seeing a healthcare provider who shares their background. PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.

The American Academy of Physician Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, and any other classification protected by law.