Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) today was one of eight hospitals and healthcare systems to receive the inaugural Employer of Excellence Award by the American Academy of Physician Assistants' (AAPA) Center for Healthcare Leadership and Management (CHLM).

This is the first and only award program recognizing hospitals and healthcare systems that are top employers of physician assistants and models for organizations nationwide.

"At HSS, we pride ourselves on our teamwork and collaboration across the full patient care spectrum," said Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO at HSS. "This recognition is a testament to the work of our physician assistants who are a vital part of the medical care team whose shared common goal is to provide high quality, patient-centered care."

This annual program is designed to showcase hospitals and healthcare systems that have implemented practices which create a PA-positive environment and encourage collaborative provider teams. The two-year award was presented on May 20 during the AAPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, La.

"Our PAs are entrenched in quality and safety initiatives that result in positive practice change and improved patient care," said Peter Grimaldi, assistant vice president of the Physician Assistant department at HSS, who accepted the award. "Our department works closely with our medical staff to ensure outstanding patient care and a supportive environment for our academic mission."

PAs have been an integral part of HSS since 1989. There are approximately 350 physicians at HSS and 175 PAs. PAs assist in a variety of specialties including: orthopedic surgery, anesthesia, medicine, rheumatology, radiology, pain management, neurology, primary care sports medicine, etc.

L to R: Peter Grimaldi, assistant vice president of the Physician Assistant department; Maureen Heneghan, physician assistant; Tara Schmidt, physician assistant

"PAs are core to HSS clinical operations whether it’s in the operating room, on an inpatient unit or in an outpatient environment," said Todd J. Albert, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director at HSS. "We have made it a priority over the past few years to develop a work environment that effectively utilizes PAs and enables collaborative provider teams."