History

Historical Timeline of the Society of Physician Assistants (SPA)

1998
1998

The first Physician Assistant (PA) in Kerala began practicing, marking the start of the profession in the state.
2005
2005

The first PA association in Kerala was established, based at AIMS, Kochi.
2013
2013

August 15: IAPA decided to form state chapters; Mr. Ebin Abraham was appointed to establish the Kerala chapter.

October 6: First meeting of PAs in Kerala; an ad hoc committee was formed at YMCA Kochi to create a formal association.

December 13: Official formation of the IAPA Kerala chapter at Shishak Sadan, Ernakulam.
2014
2014

August 16: Announcement of IAPACON2015, the first international PA conference in India, at Coimbatore.

August 27: Malabar PA forum was established, the first PA forum in the country.

October 6 – 12: State-wide celebration of PA Day and PA Week.

October 11: Inauguration of the Best Outgoing Physician Assistant Student Award.

December 14: KAPAA Meet, the first annual meet of the association, was held at Hotel PGS Vedanta, Kochi.
2015
2015

January 17: Formation of the AIMS PA forum.

January 30: Launch of IAPACON2015 logo by Prof. Nadia Cobb at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Thailand.

April 7: IAPACON website was launched by Dr. Prem Nair, AIMS Kochi.

June 21: First international symposium on “Expanding Role and Impact of Physician Assistants in the Indian Healthcare System” at Hotel Holiday Inn, Kochi.

June 26: Taskforce meeting for the PA profession held by the Ministry of Health in New Delhi.

July 10: Formal registration of the association as the Society of Physician Assistants (SPA) under the Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Act, 1955.

October 9 – 11: IAPACON2015, the first international PA conference, inaugurated by K Babu, Minister of Kerala State, at AIMS, Kochi, with participation from PA associations from over five countries and 600 delegates.

October 2015: Launch of PAGE, the Physician Assistant magazine, by Prof. Prathapan Nair and Mrs. Kavitha Narayan, New Delhi.

October 13 – 14: Visit to tribal colonies in Wayanad.

November 15: Tribal camp conducted at Madamkunnu tribal colony, Wayanad.
2016
2016

February 28: Adv. Jagath N appointed as the returning officer for executive committee elections (2016–2018).

March 13: PACE, the Physician Assistant Continuing Education program, was launched; CME directed by Dr. Saji Kuruttukulam.

March 13: First election for office bearers (2016–2018).

April 2016: Strategic Planning meeting for 2016–2020 at Hotel Dunes, Cochin.

October 6: State-wide PA Week celebration inaugurated by Cindy Blasewitz, UK.
2017
2017

February 19: Establishment of Cochin PA forum at The Avenue Regent, Ernakulam.

October 6: PA Week celebration inaugurated by Prof. K V Thomas, Member of Parliament.

October 11: Organ donation pledge by PAs from Aster Medcity, Kochi.

November 12: New headquarters inaugurated by Dr. Thomas Mathew at Palarivattom, Kochi.
2018
2018

August 12 – 13: PA representatives attended the IAPA national conference in Hyderabad.

Initiation of hands-on workshops and the Best Board Member Award.
2019
2019

Introduction of two awards: PA of the Year and Budding PA of the Year.

October 6: PACE2019 Annual GB meeting and CME inaugurated by Padma Shri Jose Chacko Periyappuram.

October 6 – 12: State-wide PA Week celebrations.
2020
2020

Conducted a survey of PAs working in the state.

PA Week celebrated with global counterparts (October 6 – 12).
2021
2021

Launched an online program to support PA education and professional development.
2023
2023

Initiated "PA Connect," a webinar series to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking among PAs.
2024
2024

Establishment of the Student Wing and initiation of student competitions.

Formation of the Kottayam PA Forum.

Launch of "UPSKILL" workshops to enhance PA skills.