Background

The Physician Assistant History Office, now PA History Center (PAHx), was established in 2001 at the Duke University Medical Center within the Department of Community and Family Medicine in order to study, preserve, and present PA History. In January 2002, the Society for the Preservation of PA History (SPPAHx) was incorporated and assumed primary responsibilities for the PA History Center's activities. With the generous support of professional leaders, various PA organizations and programs, numerous individuals, and SPPAHx members, the Society and PA History Center have been able to develop and expand a Special Collection, which focuses on the history of the PA profession. In January 2004, the Society requested to have DUMC Archives process, maintain and provide baseline archival support for the special collection. Dr. Ralph Snyderman, Chancellor of Health Affairs, Duke University, approved the Society's request. In 2004, the PA History Archivist position was created to coordinate the acquisition, description, reference, and outreach activities related to the Special Collections.

About the Collection

The SPPAHx Special Collection contains materials that document the history and evolution of the physician assistant profession from its conception to the present time. The Special Collection serves as a resource for professional organizations, educational programs, faculty, students, researchers, and the general public by identifying, collecting, and making accessible materials related to the physician assistant profession that are of significant scholarly and/or historic value. The Special Collection is also responsible for the safekeeping of any non-current administrative records of SPPAHx deemed to have permanent value by the Society. Although this collection is owned by SPPAHx, it is housed as a specialized collection within the Duke University Medical Center Archives (DUMCA).