Press Release: (AAPA) Outstanding Local PA Named

(Alexandria, VA) The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) has named Lt. Col. Joseph O. Streff, PA-C, of New Berlin, Wisconsin, the recipient of its 2005 Federal Service Physician Assistant of the Year Award. The award will be presented on May 27 at the AAPA's 33rd Annual Physician Assistant (PA) Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Streff has been a PA for 26 years and an employee of the Clement J. Zablocki Veteran's Affairs Medical Center for 14 years. In 2001, he was appointed the first PA Advisor to the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a position in which he addressed the multiple issues facing PAs in the Veterans Administration (VA).

Streff was responsible for more than 1,500 PAs working in 167 medical centers and 450 out-patient clinics. He undertook the development of new PA clinical guidelines, a communications network for PAs in the VA, recruitment and retention programs, and new personnel policies, all while continuing his clinical work in Wisconsin.

In February 2004, Streff, a member of the Wisconsin National Guard since 1981, was called to active duty to care for injured soldiers from the Army Reserves and National Guard who were returning from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Understanding the need to have an advisor able to devote time to the diverse issues faced by PAs in the VA, Streff resigned his position to focus instead on providing medical care for the soldiers. In his recommendation letter, Thomas Zampieri, PA-C, executive director of the Veterans Affairs PA Association (VAPAA), wrote, "He placed the priority of PAs in the VA having a new window of opportunity at representation over his own career which was an outstanding act of dedication."

Sgt. Cengiz Kadiroglu, a solider currently entrusted to Streff's care, voiced admiration for Streff's medical service. "[He] has by far gone beyond the call of duty to make sure I was doing well. He is a true professional, is great in communicating, truly cares about his soldiers, is prompt in answering questions, very knowledgeable, and performs his over all duties with a great passion&Since day one, I knew that this officer was one of the best I have met in my eight plus years in the United States Army."

Streff is the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal for Operation Noble Eagle (2004) and Operation Desert Storm (1992), the Meritorious Service Medal (1998), the Army Outstanding Military Volunteer Medal (1997), and the Army Commendation Medal (1996). During the past 10 years, Streff has served as president of VAPAA twice and has filled various board positions.

The Federal Service Physician Assistant of the Year Award honors a PA who has demonstrated exemplary service to the PA profession within the federal services and has furthered the image of PAs within the setting of the uniformed services, Department of Veterans Affairs, the Public Health Service, or any other federal agencies.

Physician assistants are licensed health professionals who practice medicine as members of a team with their supervising physicians. PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations in rural and urban settings.

AAPA is the only national organization to represent physician assistants in all medical and surgical specialties and work settings in the United States and federal services. Founded in 1968, the Academy works to promote quality, cost-effective health care, and the professional and personal growth of PAs. For more information about the Academy and the PA profession, visit the AAPA's Web site at www.aapa.org.