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TAPA Awards

The purpose of these awards is to recognize PAs whose service and/or knowledge have made a significant contribution to the profession. These awards are not for years of service but for the quality of contributions made to students, patients, the community, and the PA profession.

2025 Award Nominations Due: August 15, 2025

Nominate Your Award Winners


PA of the Year

This award honors a PA who has demonstrated exemplary service to the PA profession, the community, and has furthered the role of PAs. This may be demonstrated through service, leadership, mentoring, providing quality patient care, community service, volunteer contributions, and commitment to team-based practice. The nominee must be a member of TAPA.

The following criteria will be considered when selecting the recipient:

  • Service to the PA profession
  • Team player
  • Contributes to diversity of profession
  • Inspiration to colleagues
  • Inspiration to patients
  • Enhance professional development of PA students
  • High-quality patient care
  • Professional leadership contributions 
  • Community and volunteer contributions          
  • Humanitarian efforts (local or abroad)      
Physician/PA Partnership of the Year

This award honors a Physician-PA team that exemplifies the unique relationship of trust, collegiality, and mutual respect that is essential to the PA profession. This collaborative relationship allows both the PA and the physician to provide medical service to their patients and their community, greater than either one would be able to do alone. Any Physician-PA team in practice for at least one year is eligible to apply. The PA nominee must be a member of TAPA.

The following criteria will be considered when selecting the recipient:

  • Service to the PA profession
  • Evidence of mutual respect and trust
  • Teamwork in providing care to patients
  • Evidence of team, community or professional leadership
  • Evidence of team community service
PA Educator of the Year

This award honors an individual who has demonstrated exemplary service to PA students and has furthered the leadership, educational, or professional development of PA students. The nominee may be a PA educator associated with a PA program, a preceptor, or a practicing PA who has contributed significantly to the development of future PAs. If the nominee is not a member of TAPA, then the nominee must be nominated by a TAPA member in good standing for the past year.

The following criteria will be considered when selecting the recipient:

  • Increase educational advancement of PA students
  • Promote PA student leadership
  • Enhance professional development of PA students
  • Evidence and strength of mentoring efforts
  • Professional leadership activities outside of academic responsibility
  • Community or volunteer activities outside of academic responsibility  
PA Preceptor Award

This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship during the preceptorship process or a practicing PA who has contributed significantly to the development of future PAs. The nominee should be a TAPA member.

The following criteria will be considered when selecting the recipient:

  • TAPA Membership
  • Level of communication, professionalism, and support given to PA student
  • Provides activities that are both challenging and supportive of PA student
  • Demonstration of effective, evidence-based medicine
  • Number of PA students precepted
Pre-PA Society Award

This award will be presented to a Pre-PA Society that exhibits outstanding participation within both TAPA and the Community of which they serve.

The following criteria will be considered when selecting the recipient:

  • Community Service
  • Percentage of members in attendance at TAPA meetings
  • Percentage of Society members with an active TAPA membership (as provided by Pre-PA Program)
  • Other criteria may be considered by the awards committee

The “Z” Volunteerism Award

Ed “Z” Zwanziger, PA-C (1936-2012) embodied the spirit of volunteerism. After completing his 34-year career in the US Air Force, he went on to serve his community working in a rural health clinic. As an appointee to the Texas State Board of PA Examiners (TSBPA), he also served his profession. He was a tireless volunteer at any TAPA event, without an official title or expectation of recognition. At the end of his life, he donated his body to science. This award recognizes a volunteer who also exemplifies selfless service and volunteerism. The award is a perpetual award for outstanding non-BOD member of TAPA who contributes to TAPA and the PA profession. This award will be considered on a case by case basis each year but does not have to be given annually.

The recipient of the award will be selected by the BOD. The following criteria will be considered when selecting the recipient:

  • PA nominee must be a TAPA member in good standing or, given posthumously, have been a member of TAPA
  • The recipient should be/have been a volunteer who received no financial compensation or formal recognition for their service
  • The characteristics of the recipient should include but are not limited to selflessness, dedication to team practice and involvement, service to profession, and diversity of volunteerism to the profession and TAPA
Nominations will require a statement of recommendation from the nominator addressing the criteria above. Further support materials will be required, including info about the nominee and submission of one name who may be asked to provide additional statements of reference.  

For complete eligibility and criteria, please reference the full TAPA Awards Policy.

 

Nominate Your Award Winners

Texas Academy of Physician Assistants

3305 Steck Ave. Ste 200 | Austin, TX 78757

512-518-0120

tapa@tapa.org