AAPA honors Idaho's Hal Joseph with 2010 PA Service to the Underserved Award

Hal Joseph, PA-C/CDE of Orofino, Idaho, received the American Academy of Physician Assistants' 2010 PA Service to the Underserved Award at the organization's 38th Annual Physician Assistant Conference in Atlanta yesterday. Joseph dedicated his career to helping those suffering from diabetes, a medical condition he has lived with since age 12, better manage their illness. In his work, he has developed programs to help people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in rural areas access the care they need to prevent debilitating complications.

"Diabetes is a life-altering disease that, for many, can result in serious, even life-threatening, complications. Yet, many of these complications can be prevented if patients have access to appropriate treatment and education about their disease," said Joseph. "I am honored that AAPA has chosen to recognize my work, which often involves me leading by example, teaching my patients the approaches and treatments I've used to stay healthy since I was young."  

Joseph currently works as the urgent care provider at a clinic administered by the Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics in Orofino and initiated a diabetes care and counseling program at two rural clinics. He is a graduate of the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital PA Program, which emphasized health care in rural and underserved areas, and has dedicated much of his career to treating patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. He serves on the North Central Idaho Diabetes Advisory Task Force.

In recognition of his work, Joseph received the PA Service to the Underserved Award, which honors a PA who has provided accessible, quality health care to the underserved in a rural community or an inner-city setting of the United States. The award is one of five PAragon Awards, made possible with support from Pfizer Inc., that are presented annually by AAPA to recognize members who have demonstrated distinguished service to patients, the community and the profession. Other awards include: Federal Service PA of the Year, Outstanding PA of the Year, Physician-PA Partnership Award, and Humanitarian PA of the Year.

SOURCE American Academy of Physician Assistants