[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8579--OCT. 6, 2010

Proclamation 8579 of October 6, 2010
National Physician Assistants Week, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

In communities across our Nation, physician assistants serve tirelessly
everyday to care for Americans and fulfill a critical function in our
health care system. They provide important medical attention and

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treatment to patients and their loved ones, and can be the principal
care provider in rural or inner-city clinics, and other settings with
provider shortages. During National Physician Assistants Week, we honor
these dedicated medical professionals and their essential role in
providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services
to millions of American men, women, and children.
With compassion matched by professionalism, physician assistants work as
part of a team to provide vital support to both patients in need and the
doctors who balance the care of many individuals. Recognizing their
essential function in our medical system, we allocated more than $30
million from the Prevention and Public Health Fund under the Affordable
Care Act to expand the Physician Assistant Training Program, and to
increase the number of physician assistants in primary care over the
next 5 years. Primary care is the foundation of preventive health care,
and we must support the training of hundreds of new physician assistants
who can join the medical field and increase access to providers and
services in underserved areas. Our Nation needs a strong primary care
workforce and the continued dedication of physician assistants in our
hospitals, clinics, and medical offices to address the crucial health
issues of our time.
Countless American families have relied on the skill, concern, and
commitment of physician assistants, in both joyous times and heart-
wrenching circumstances. As we recognize their countless contributions
this week, we also pay tribute to the kind and meticulous care provided
by all of America's medical professionals. Our Nation is stronger
because of these invaluable workers, and their efforts safeguard a
healthy future for all Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6 through
October 12, 2010, as National Physician Assistants Week. I call upon all
Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities,
and programs that honor and foster appreciation for our physician
assistants and all medical professionals.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA