Physician Associate Title: 2nd State Adoption
- maine has joined Oregon in changing the official title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate." The Maine State Legislature finalized the change June 16 after passing the bill...
- Kathleen Moneghan, vice president of the association, expressed enthusiasm about the change and its potential positive impact on patient care and the physician associate's role within the healthcare...
- The American Association of Physician Associates (AAPA) endorsed the "physician associate" title in 2021.
Maine officially recognizes “physician associate,” solidifying its commitment to modernizing healthcare titles. Following Oregon’s lead, the Maine State legislature approved the change on June 16, after a two-year advocacy push. This shift aims to better define the physician associate’s role in the healthcare system, reflecting the evolving responsibilities of these medical professionals. Kathleen Moneghan, from the Maine Academy of Physician Associates, highlights the positive impact on patient care. The American Association of Physician Associates endorsed the title in 2021,and momentum is building. News Directory 3 shares this breaking development. Could this trend reshape the healthcare landscape nationwide? Discover what’s next …
Maine Adopts Physician Associate Title for PAs
Updated June 18,2025
maine has joined Oregon in changing the official title of “physician assistant” to “physician associate.” The Maine State Legislature finalized the change June 16 after passing the bill June 2. This decision follows a two-year advocacy effort by the Maine Academy of Physician Associates. The new title aims to better reflect the role of these medical professionals in the state’s healthcare system.
Kathleen Moneghan, vice president of the association, expressed enthusiasm about the change and its potential positive impact on patient care and the physician associate‘s role within the healthcare landscape.
The American Association of Physician Associates (AAPA) endorsed the “physician associate” title in 2021. While the AAPA and several state chapters have updated their names,achieving legal recognition at the state and federal levels is a longer process.
What’s next
other states may consider similar legislation to formally recognise the “physician associate” title, perhaps leading to a nationwide shift in how these healthcare providers are identified and understood.