Grant Funded Programs

AAPA FQHC Learning Collaborative on Colorectal Cancer Screening Quality Improvement

Funded by an unrestricted grant from Exact Sciences Corporation, AAPA and PAF are leading a multi-year Learning Collaborative to empower PAs and nurse practitioners at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Look-Alike Clinics to advance colorectal cancer (CRC) screening quality improvement. The program began by convening clinicians from Exact Sciences–supported FQHC FOCUS sites to share progress, identify systemic barriers, and shape program design, producing an outcomes report that directly informed the development of evidence-based tools and resources. Building on this foundation, the national phase engages clinicians in implementing site-specific CRC screening initiatives while participating in structured peer learning, expert mentorship, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement curriculum. Participants earn CME and Performance Improvement credits, and program outcomes will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and national reports documenting measurable improvements in screening workflows, screening rates, and health equity.

Lifestyle, Intervention, Follow up, and Training (LIFT) Program – A Partnership between AAPA and Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health System (Ochsner) and AAPA are partnering on the Ochsner Health employee-focused Lifestyle, Intervention, Follow up, and Training Program (LIFT), a metabolic health pathway that provides training for clinicians to improve obesity care. The project model focuses on converting EPIC Body Mass Index (BMI) Best Practice Advisory (BPA) alerts into real support, including warm handoffs by care coordinators, quick access to benefits, and follow-ups with primary care providers. AAPA is conducting a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to determine the root causes of low rates of GLP-1 agonist prescriptions and low engagement with available employee resources. In addition, at least 50 clinicians will complete obesity management continuing medical education through AAPA.

XULA/AAPA PAthways to Prosperity Initiative

Louisiana faces a severe shortage of primary care providers. While many existing pathways to healthcare careers focus on entry-level roles, nursing, and medical schools, there is an opportunity to expand access to another critical sector – PAs, the second-fastest-growing profession in healthcare. Expanding the PA workforce in Louisiana will help address healthcare gaps by increasing access to care, increasing representation in the PA profession to enhance racial concordance between patients and providers for improved health outcomes, and creating pathways for individuals in lower-paying healthcare jobs to transition into PA roles that offer greater economic stability and career advancement.

Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) received funding from Louisiana Blue Foundation to address local workforce needs, expand access to PA education, offer scholarships, and deliver enhanced medical training. From 2025–2028, XULA will offer needs-based scholarships to 54 PA students who commit to working in Louisiana healthcare facilities or training programs. The university will partner with AAPA to increase awareness of the PA profession and enhance recruitment to meet the growing demand for PAs in the workforce. XULA pre-PA students will receive AAPA pre-PA memberships and participate in full-day workshops and information sessions on what it takes to apply to PA school. Current XULA students will receive AAPA student memberships and participate in the annual AAPA Challenge Bowl.