Physician Assistant History Society

What Physician Assistant History Society does

The Physician Assistant History Society (PAHx), legally the Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia. Its mission is to preserve and present the history and legacy of the physician assistant profession through an Archive, Library and Museum (ALM) Collection comprising organizational records, personal papers, oral histories, photographs, moving images, books, and artifacts spanning the profession's development from the 1960s to the present. PAHx serves PA training programs, PA state and specialty organizations, individual physician assistants and retirees, and academic researchers.

PAHx's product surface is anchored by the ALM digital collection accessible via pahx.org, six self-directed online Educational Modules delivered through a dedicated LMS, two traveling physical banner exhibits (PAs: Collaboration and Care and a Timeline Banner Set), an Illustrated PA Timeline, an International PA Timeline, an Oral History Collection, and published books including Physician Assistants as Social Innovators in Healthcare, Just Say for Me, and Learning to Learn. Merchandise (lapel pins, posters) and the PA Veterans Garden in Durham, NC round out the physical and digital offerings. The Society maintains strategic affiliations with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), partnerships with the National Library of Medicine, and historical archival ties to Duke University Medical Center.

Revenue is generated through three streams: annual Associate membership fees from PA programs ($250-$1,000) and constituent organizations ($75-$250), tax-deductible donations from individual Friends ($100+ annually) and Lifetime Circle of Friends ($1,000-$2,000 one-time), and one-time product sales of books, lapel pins, and posters through PayPal e-commerce on its website. PAHx is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, operates standard social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X), distributes a quarterly newsletter, and exhibits at conferences such as the ARC-PA Annual Conference. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the organization does not have disclosed headcount.

Name

Physician Assistant History Society

Legal name

Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History, Inc.

Website

https://pahx.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Physician Assistant History Society (PAHx) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that preserves and presents the history of the physician assistant profession through a digital and physical Archive, Library and Museum collection, serving PA training programs, constituent organizations, individual PAs, and academic researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Professional History Preservation

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Museums (712110), Historical Sites (712120)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Sciences & Nursing (EDAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Medical & Clinical Reference (Physicians, Nursing, Allied Health) (EDAGAGAA)

Keywords

• Physician assistant history
• Medical archival services
• Healthcare education resources
• Professional society archives
• Historical preservation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Johns Creek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Associate Membership Fees: Annual fees from PA programs and constituent organizations. PA programs pay $250-$1,000 annually depending on giving level (Scribe $250, Historian $500, Founder $1,000). Constituent organizations pay $75-$250 based on membership size.
2. Donations and Friends of the Society: Tax-deductible donations from individuals including Lifetime Circle of Friends ($1,000-$2,000 one-time) and annual Friends ($100+). The Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3. Product Sales: Sale of PA history publications (books $20-$25), lapel pins ($5), and poster prints ($10). Shipping fees additional. All products available through PayPal e-commerce.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Physician Assistant History Society (PAHx) preserves and presents the history of the physician assistant profession through its Archive, Library and Museum (ALM) Collection of primary source materials (organizational records, personal papers, oral histories, photographs, and artifacts). It delivers six self-directed online Educational Modules via a Learning Management System, publishes books and branded merchandise, and lends traveling banner exhibits to Associate PA programs and organizations.

Product overview

The Physician Assistant History Society (PAHx) operates as a nonprofit archive, library, and museum dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the physician assistant/physician associate profession. Its core offering is the Archive, Library and Museum (ALM) Collection, which contains primary source materials including organizational records, personal papers, oral histories, still and moving images, and artifacts. The Society distributes its holdings through multiple channels: a digital platform providing an illustrated PA Timeline, an International PA Timeline, a Biography Collection, an Oral History Collection, a Research Library, photo collections, and video archives. PAHx also provides six online Educational Modules hosted on an LMS platform for teaching PA history. For physical engagement, PAHx offers two traveling banner exhibits (PAs: Collaboration and Care and a Timeline Banner Set) available for loan to Associates, and maintains the PA Veterans Garden in Durham, NC. The Society publishes books including 'Physician Assistants as Social Innovators in Healthcare,' 'Just Say for Me,' and 'Learning to Learn,' and sells branded merchandise (lapel pins and poster prints). Associates (PA programs and organizations) gain access to the Educational Modules, Historian Toolkit, and Anniversary & Celebration Planner through annual fees. A quarterly Newsletter rounds out the engagement offerings for Members, Associates, and Friends.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Archive, Library and Museum (ALM) Collection Archival collection of primary source materials documenting the physician assistant profession, including organizational records, personal papers, books, still images, moving images, oral histories, and artifacts, accessible to researchers, scholars, and programs.
• Educational Modules Six self-directed online modules available through PAHx's LMS platform for teaching the history of the PA profession, including knowledge checks, references, faculty Curriculum Guide, and sample assessment questions; available exclusively to Associate PA programs and constituent organizations.
• Oral History Collection A collection of audiotapes, videos, and transcripts of oral history interviews from PAs and individuals close to the profession's history, produced by the Society or donated to it, providing contextual primary sources for research.
• Illustrated PA Timeline Interactive timeline tracing the development of the physician assistant profession from concept to reality, presenting a decade-by-decade progression of people, events, and activities.
• International PA Timeline Interactive timeline documenting the development and expansion of the physician assistant profession and similar healthcare roles internationally.
• Physician Assistants as Social Innovators in Healthcare (book) A book presenting the history of the PA profession as a social innovation, exploring transformations over 55 years and their relevance to current healthcare delivery. Priced at $25 per single copy, or $20 for PAHx Associates and orders of 10 or more.
• Just Say for Me (book) A collection of thoughts and sayings ('Steadisms') of Dr. Eugene Stead, Jr., founder of the PA profession, focused on the art of practicing medicine, doctor-patient relationships, students and learning, and medical research. Priced at $5 per copy.
• Learning to Learn: The Teaching Legacy of Eugene A. Stead, Jr., MD (book) A book tracing the teaching legacy of Dr. Eugene Stead, Jr., capturing seven papers presented at a 2008 symposium, along with recorded discussions by his colleagues and pupils. Priced at $10 per copy.
• PA History Supporter Lapel Pin A branded lapel pin for PA history supporters; $5.00 plus $2.75 shipping, with proceeds supporting the Society's educational projects and history preservation.
• The Preceptor Poster Print An 18\" x 24\" poster print of 'The Preceptor,' a painting by Don Pedersen, PhD, PA, suitable for framing as a gift for preceptors, teachers, or mentors. Priced at $10 plus shipping.
• Women in Uniform Poster Print An 18\" x 24\" poster original painting signed by women (many PAs) who have served in uniformed services, suitable for framing in offices, clinic waiting rooms, or homes. Priced at $10 plus shipping.
• PAs: 50 Years of Innovation and Diversity Poster A 24\" x 26\" poster featuring photographs highlighting the history of the PA profession and the diversity of fields in which PAs work, suitable for framing.
• PAs: Collaboration and Care Traveling Banner Exhibit A six-banner traveling exhibit (each banner 7' high x 3' wide) produced in partnership with the National Library of Medicine, featuring the history and achievements of the PA profession. Available for 4-week loans to PAHx Associates (one-way shipping covered) and non-Associates (round-trip shipping required).
• Milestones & Events of the PA Profession Timeline Banner Exhibit A two-banner retractable timeline exhibit (80\"H x 24\"W each) showcasing the milestones and events of the PA profession across decades. Available for 4-week loans to PAHx Associates.
• PA Veterans Garden The McElligott PA Veterans Garden, a physical commemorative space located in Durham, NC, honoring PAs who have served in the uniformed services.
• PA History Society Quarterly Newsletter A quarterly newsletter distributed to Associates and Friends of the Society, covering PAHx news, updates on projects and collections, and items on the profession's history.

Quantifiable outcome

• Established in 2002, Society has been preserving PA history for over 20 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• National Library of Medicine (NLM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017PAHx partnered with the National Library of Medicine to produce a traveling banner and online exhibit featuring the PA profession titled 'PAs: Collaboration and Care'. Created to celebrate the profession's 50th anniversary year (2017), the exhibit includes promotional banners and online educational materials with lesson plans for grades 6-12, high school, and college. Resources are available on the NLM website. The partnership produced both the physical traveling exhibit and comprehensive digital educational content.
• Duke University Medical Center ArchivescoreOthersFrom 2002 to 2011, the Society's noncurrent administrative records and special ALM collection were maintained at the Duke University Medical Center Archives and at the Eugene A. Stead, Jr. Center for Physician Assistants in Durham, NC. Historical materials including organizational records, personal papers, and artifacts were housed at these institutions during the Society's early years.
• NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2011, PAHx established an affiliation with NCCPA as a support organization. NCCPA provided funding to create the traveling banner exhibit for the 50th anniversary and continues as a key organizational partner. The Society is located as a support organization to NCCPA, which helps validate the Society's role as the primary repository of PA history.
• Eugene A. Stead, Jr. Center for Physician AssistantscoreOthersThe Eugene A. Stead, Jr. Center for Physician Assistants in Durham, NC, originally housed the Society's office and collection. Built and owned by the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, the Center includes the Stead Office Museum and wall/floor exhibits showcasing the profession's history. In 2006, funding was obtained to move the Society's office to this location.
• ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPAHx attends the ARC-PA Annual Conference with a booth in the exhibitor hall, providing free swag, publications, and educational module information to conference attendees. Booth hours run during conference sessions with staff available to demonstrate educational resources and answer questions about the Society's offerings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Museum of American History (Smithsonian): Smithsonian museum covering American history including medical and health sciences. Comparable as a historical institution that collects and exhibits healthcare-related artifacts, but at vastly greater scale and broader thematic scope than PAHx.
• Mütter Museum: A medical history museum in Philadelphia operated by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Comparable as a medical history museum but much larger and broader in scope, focused on general medical history rather than a single profession's legacy.

Direct peers

• Dittrick Medical History Center: A medical history museum and archive at Case Western Reserve University. Directly comparable to PAHx as a medical history museum/archive preserving primary source materials and serving researchers and educators, though covering broader medical practice.
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA): The accreditor for PA programs in the US. ARC-PA runs annual conferences where PAHx exhibits, and the two organizations serve overlapping stakeholders (PA programs and educators) within the same ecosystem.
• American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA): The national professional association for PAs, serving the same customer base of practicing PAs and PA students. While AAPA focuses on advocacy and professional practice rather than history, both organizations serve the PA profession community with overlapping audiences and stakeholders.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA): The certifying body for PAs in the US and a flagship partner of PAHx since 2011. NCCPA has provided funding and validation, and both organizations serve the same PA community with complementary value propositions (certification vs. history preservation).
• American Association for the History of Nursing: A professional organization dedicated to preserving nursing history. Highly comparable to PAHx in mission and structure - focused on preserving and presenting the history of a specific healthcare profession through archival collections, publications, and member engagement.
• American Association for the History of Medicine: A professional association dedicated to the history of medicine and healthcare. Operates with a similar nonprofit, member-supported model focused on medical history preservation, scholarship, and education - broader in scope than PAHx but structurally analogous.
• National Library of Medicine: The world's largest biomedical library and a strategic partner of PAHx since 2017. Both organizations preserve medical history and provide educational resources; NLM is federal in scale and vastly broader in scope, but directly analogous in archival mission.
• Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA): The national association representing PA educational programs. PAEA serves PA programs directly - the same primary customer segment as PAHx - and is listed as a constituent organization partner of PAHx.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pa_hx
• Facebookfacebook.com/PAHistory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/physician-assistant-history-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/pahx_society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Physician Assistant History Society