American Physician Assistants Holding First International Conference at Metro Toronto Convention Centre

TORONTO, May 23, 2012 /CNW/ - From May 26-31, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) will host the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) 40^th Annual Conference. Known as IMPACT 2012, the event will attract 4,000 physician assistants from the U.S., as well as their Canadian counterparts.

"The AAPA has selected a world-class city with Toronto and the MTCC as their first-ever international venue for IMPACT," said Barry Smith, President & CEO of the MTCC. "Attendees will have access to the amazing amenities our diverse city has to offer, and their participation in IMPACT 2012 will benefit our local economy with $10,000,000 in visitor spending."

IMPACT 2012 is the world's largest physician assistant conference of its kind, at which attendees develop and enhance their knowledge and skills to improve patient care. A physician assistant is a medical professional, educated alongside physicians, who works as part of a team with a doctor. Physician assistants perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, perform procedures, assist in surgery, provide patient education and counseling and make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes. They practice in nearly every medical specialty and setting and play a key role in coordinating patient care. Though the physician assistant profession has existed in the U.S. for more than 40 years, its influence is spreading to other countries, including Canada, where the profession is gaining traction.

"We believe it is a good thing for U.S. and Canadian physician assistants to share ideas and look at healthcare challenges from different perspectives," said Robert Wooten, PA-C, AAPA president. "Physician assistants increase access to quality healthcare that benefits patients and is cost-effective for the healthcare system. Hosting IMPACT 2012 in Toronto provides an opportunity for Canadian physician assistants to meet and share ideas with their American counterparts."

About the MTCC
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's #1 convention and trade show facility. Since its opening in 1984, the MTCC has hosted approximately 15,000 events and entertained over 40 million guests. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.

About the American Academy of Physician Assistants
Founded in 1968, the American Association of Physician Assistants is the national professional society for physician assistants. It represents a profession of more than 84,000 certified PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the majority of the U.S. territories, and within the uniformed services. AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. It works to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence and recognition of physician assistants and to enhance their ability to improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered health care. Visit www.aapa.org to learn more. 

Jennifer Hollingsworth
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
[phone]
[email protected]

Patrick Dunne
American Academy of Physician Assistants
[phone]
[email protected]