PA Day includes celebration of which pioneer’s birthday?

• A. Dr Eugene Stead
• B. Dr William Osler
• C. Dr James Andrews
• D. Dr Virginia Apgar

Answer: (A)

PA Day centers on recognizing the person who started the Physician Assistant profession. Dr. Eugene Stead conceived and led the effort to create PAs, establishing the first PA program at Duke University in 1965 and championing a model where trained assistants work under physicians to extend care. Celebrating his birthday on PA Day honors his pivotal role in forming the profession and the team-based approach that defines PAs today. The other figures mentioned are notable in medicine, but their work is not connected to the origin or celebration of the PA role: William Osler helped shape modern medical education, Virginia Apgar developed the newborn Apgar score, and James Andrews is a renowned surgeon.