SHU Alum Named President of Physician Associates Group

Jason Prevelige is a longtime advocate for physician associate education and the profession

Sacred Heart University alum and instructor Jason Prevelige ’04 has been elected president of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the national organization that advocates for physician associates (PAs). His term began July 1.

Prevelige is a full-time PA, and he teaches in the College of Health Professions’ physician assistant studies program at SHU.

Almost immediately upon earning his PA certification, Prevelige joined the Connecticut Academy of Physician Associates (ConnAPA), which supports and advocates for the state’s PA professionals. While attending a state-level conference, he was encouraged to join the national board.

AAPA represents the almost 180,000 PAs across the United States. The profession recently changed its name from physician assistant to physician associate “to more accurately reflect the PA’s contribution as a partner on the health care team,” Prevelige said.

One of Prevelige’s goals as the organization’s president is to encourage more people to pursue health care careers. “It’s no secret that the health care field is hurting,” he said, adding that growing a diverse workforce is part of the solution. “We’re going into middle schools and high schools in marginalized areas to help young people realize that a career in health care is attainable.”

Prevelige also plans to promote efforts to support PAs early in their careers. “That’s when you can instill in them the importance of professional advocacy,” he said.

He believes providing new PAs with the tools to be successful is essential. “We’ve doubled the numbers in our profession in the last decade or so,” Prevelige said. “There are a lot of early-career PAs out there, and we need to make sure we are doing what we can to support them.” This, he added, benefits the PAs, the profession and, most importantly, the patients.

A history major at Sacred Heart, Prevelige had an epiphany halfway through his studies that changed his life—he wanted to enter the medical field. After graduation, while studying for the Medical College Admission Test, he talked with a PA and decided that was the career he wanted.

He went on to earn a master’s degree in health sciences and PA certificate, and when SHU formed its PA program, he accepted a position on the advisory committee. He helped develop the program and has been one of its instructors from the start.

Reynold Jaglal, department chair and director of SHU’s physician assistant studies program, is certain Prevelige is the right choice for AAPA president. “He has been involved with the Sacred Heart University PA program since its inception,” said Jaglal. “As a SHU undergraduate, he was already familiar with the culture and potential for excellence in the development of a new PA program. He served as an early program advisor and a member of the first admissions team.”

Jaglal added that Prevelige, who also has an MBA in health care management and a doctorate in medical science, has always advocated for PA education and the profession. Prevelige regularly speaks to the student body and the college about PA professionalism and leadership. “He is an asset to the program and continues to be a resource for state and national PA advocacy. SHU can take pride in the fact that he is president of our national professional organization,” Jaglal said.

In September, the Sacred Heart Alumni Association will honor Prevelige with the Rising Alumni Award, which recognizes mid-career professionals who are making a difference in their field as entrepreneurs, game changers, influencers, leaders, mentors or champions for equality.

Prevelige said his family has been key in his success. “I couldn’t have done any of this without my wife and son,” he said. “They are incredibly understanding and supportive of all that I take on.”