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The Alumni Association of the Albany-Hudson Valley Physician Assistant Program
. . . was conceived in the decade after the creation of the Physician Assistant program, jointly administered between Albany Medical College and the Hudson Valley Community College. The program is one of the oldest and most respected PA programs in New York State.
Alumni formally organized in 1990, with bylaws, dues and a checking account. The leadership consisted of PAs Jack Fairbanks, John Bergin, Peter Goetchius, Don Brownell, David Pronto, Alan Olmstead, Tim Hall, Karen Sparkes, Ann Githler, Doreen Dietz, Nancy Knieriem, John Sullivan and Laurie Gates. Subsequently, Monica Pfohl, Dan Byron, Patricia Pulver, Michael Hart, Ginny Spickerman, Mike Travis, Patricia Hentze, Al McNamara, Jackie Bredwood, David Foster, Joyce Gillespie, AJ Maneen, Maurice Jones, Bill Kutzer, Cinda Kerbein, David Irvine, Marty Knowlton, Tom Lahut, and David O'Brien, among others, contributed to the fledgling organization.
From the start, administrative assistant & historian Arlene Fish provided essential continuity a number of years after departed faculty member Wayne Cure initiated the conceptual structure.
Continuing medical education as a full day seminar with high quality speakers and the economies of an informal PA/MD network started a series of "CME Day" programs, which began in 1995. "CME Day" provided a tangible service to alumni and a modicum of income to the association, which was applied toward student PA financial awards.
This successful formula has continued, with new twists and variations.
Students have enthusiastically supported interactions with alumni through the past decade, and their contributions are greatly appreciated. That positive energy has helped the organization to the time beyond graduation.
Supportive Alumni over the past years have included: Dave Dembowski, Mary Fish, Brian Glick, Dave Margelli, Paula Maniscalco, Jeff Cameron, Ray Rodrigue, Dave Williams, Susan Hulse, Marvin Day, Andrea Larson, Bob Melanson, Jennifer Baer, Ron Mikat, Robert Cenname, Kathryn Archer, Colleen O'Donnell, Carolyn Opar, Darrin Bradley, Travis Myers, Kerry Yakawiak, Sue Lathers, Jeff Kellogg, Beth LoPiccolo, Dan McPartlin, Anne Klugo, Liz Stampfl, Kelly Reed, Patrick McDermott, Karen Wolf, Sally Bauer and of course, Arlene Fish.
PA support staff Rosalyn Green and Kathy Spelman have greatly helped Alumni Association activities.
Board Members are Marty Knowlton, Mark Sullivan, Dave O’Brien and Thomas Lahut.
Change from informal alumni efforts to a longer-term viability occurred after conducting "CME Day" for a few years. The rationale of "CME Day" expanded to guarantee that an endowment would support long-term student awards. Alumni Association sought to become a non-profit organization. Defining basic mission and long-term goals was integral with establishing a legal structure.
With the pro-bono legal assistance of the late Barry Gold, of Thuillez, Ford, Gold & Johnson, the PA Alumni filed Articles of Incorporation with the New York Department of State under section 402 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law in November 1995. Since the Alumni Association declared a mission dedicated to scholarship, medical education and charity, extra affidavits from the NY Education Department were required.
On May 22, 1996, the "Albany-Hudson Valley Physician Assistant Program Alumni Association, Inc." officially had its Certificate of Incorporation accepted with the State Department of State, and with the NY State Education Department, as a Not-for-Profit Corporation.
November 1996, the US Internal Revenue Service District Director determined that we qualified as a 501(c)(3) organization, and as such, were exempt from federal income taxes. The State of New York thereafter recognized us under section 1116(a)(4) of the Tax Law of New York as a charitable organization exempt from state taxes. The US Postal Service as well has issued a mailing permit with this status.
Gifts and contributions for educating future PAs are tax exempt. Charitable contributions during working years can reduce taxes, if you itemize.
Considering leaving a portion of your estate after death to create a scholarship in your memory is exempt from taxes. Gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and other planned giving to support PA education in the Albany area is possible because of the Alumni Association’s qualification as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Further change witnessed by alumni involved recent the struggles of our PA Program to transition into the Center for PA Studies at Albany Medical College.
In August 2004, the last 15 PA graduates of the joint certificate program established in 1972, joined the ranks of the 908 alumni who preceded them with a certificate from AMC and an Associate degree from Hudson Valley Community College.
In December 2004, the last 16 PA graduates who matriculated into the joint program affiliated with HVCC, but completed the graduate level requirements from the Albany Medical College of Union University, were graduated with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies.
Currently, the Center for PA Studies at Albany Medical College has become only the 3rd of the 23 PA programs in New York State to offer a Master’s degree upon completion. All graduates of the Center will receive their Master of Science degrees in Physician Assistant Studies exclusively from Albany Medical College.
Congratulations at this achievement by our Alma Mater are most appropriate.
PA Alumni ARE the living history of a vibrant connection between AMC and Hudson Valley Community College. This unique collaboration established PAs as a viable health profession in New York. Key to this relationship will be endowment money managed through the HVCC Foundation, for the benefit of PA students attending the Center for PA Studies at Albany Medical College. The Foundation maintains its funds independently.
The one Alumni Association dedicated to PAs educated in the Albany programs continues to grow.
All PA graduates are cordially welcomed to continue to support PA education in Albany, New York through the Alumni Association.
Pertinent Histories
PA History
http://www.pahx.org/
Society for the Preservation of PA History promotes professional and personal development issues of the profession.
Origins: Medics
http://www.paworld.net/whatisapa.htm
Combat Medics became the foundation of Physician Assistants, from inception in 1965.
HVCC/AMC PA Student Website
http://pastudent.tripod.com/
"You are here. . . "
HVCC Health Sciences
http://www.hvcc.edu/hsc/pas/
PA Program at Hudson Valley has been transitioned . . .
Capital Area Physician Assistant Society
http://www.capitalpa.org
(link dead as of 4/14/03)
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