Final answer:
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is a professional society that advocates for the physician assistant profession by providing member support, education, and resources, as well as representing PAs nationally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) was founded to represent physician assistants (PAs) across the United States and to advocate for the profession. The AAPA works to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence, and recognition of physician assistants. It also provides advocacy, education, and resources for its members.
Professional societies, such as the AAPA, play a crucial role in shaping their respective fields. These organizations are typically non-profits that work to improve working conditions, network and collaborate with other professionals, promote new practices or ideas, and represent the interests of their industries.
The establishment of professional organizations, like the AAPA, serves a similar purpose as the American Medical Association (AMA), which was formed in 1847, in providing membership benefits and upholding standards within the medical community. However, unlike the AMA in the past, which had issues with inclusivity, modern organizations aim to be more inclusive, advancing healthcare and civil rights.