Laura Okolie PA-S, Leslie Flego PA-S
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) recently elected Duke Physician Assistant students Laura Okolie and Leslie Flego as 2020-2021 student representatives of their House of Delegates (HOD).
The AAPA works to ensure professional growth and recognition of physician assistants (PAs) and advocates on behalf of the profession. They also advocate for improvement in quality and accessibility issues within patient-centered health care.
The student academy is one of the largest within AAPA, with approximately 17,000 members. Of those, the AAPA appoints 20 students nationwide as delegates. According to their website, the HOD works on behalf of AAPA with the sole authority to "enact policies establishing the collective values, philosophies, and principles of the PA profession."
Both Flego and Okolie feel honored by their selection into the HOD.
Okolie looks forward to representing her peers and advocation for policies that will benefit the PA profession. She also plans to support resolutions that will bolster diversity and inclusion efforts.
“I am confident this will be an experience where I will have the opportunity to learn, further my development as a clinician leader, and help create meaningful change. "
As an immigrant from France, Flego aspires to one day advocate for the globalization of the PA profession. She also describes being passionate about and advocating for many facets of the PA profession, including:
“Increasing diversity and cultural competency within the PA realm, providing quality and accessible care to low-income, low-English proficiency communities, promoting mentorship as well as creating additional opportunities for minority pre-PA students.”
She also hopes to show other students and PAs the importance of stepping forward and being active in policymaking.
“It appears to be the only path to developing real change.”