Richard Bottner, DHA, PA-C, CPHQ, FACHE

- One of two PA facilitators in a course designed to improve communication and patient outcomes among medical, nursing, pharmacy, and social work students.
- Representative of the Dell Medical School in a $500,000 Macy Foundation grant designed to reduce diagnostic error through interprofessional health care delivery.

- Oversee and lead the primary advocacy organization for PAs in Greater Austin.
- Develop and implement strategic plan to ensure consistent governance, long-term growth, and complete organizational transparency.
- Cultivate relationships with top healthcare leaders within clinical, educational, and tech realms.

Participate as the first Advanced Practice Provider of our hospital’s MEC.

- Help shape and develop an updated strategy for AAPA’s overall education program.
- Support strategic decision-making regarding the mix of educational content for the annual conference and assist in the recruitment of session presenters.

With over 1,400 current members, Austin Health Professionals is committed to providing individuals in the greater Austin area with a demonstrated interest in the healthcare industry a venue for community outreach, scholarship, education and social engagement by supporting leadership, mentorship and inter-professional development.

Physician Assistants in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (PAPHM) is a new, non-profit organization affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Members practice in clinical, research, and education settings. The purpose of the organization is to educate PAs on the fields of Palliative and Hospice medicine, grow these areas of medicine through the use of PAs, and advocate for PA rights in Hospice care.

- Study PA student initiatives as defined by PAEA leadership and serve as a resource to PAEA divisions and councils as the voice of students in the PA education community.
- Fulfill responsibilities and tasks related to the task force's goals and objectives including development of proposals and meeting deadlines.

Part of an effort to increase the availability of leadership training to PA students at their respective state conventions.

Supplied frequent feedback to the national academy staff about ongoing and future initiatives for the PA community.

- Author for the national academy’s blog on topics related to PA education and professional advocacy.
- Syndicated on a variety of social media platforms including an appearance on KevinMD.com, the internet’s leading blog for issues relating to the United States healthcare system.

- Launched an interprofessional student organization to advocate for the delivery of meaningful preventative medicine. Over 200 students joined the group in less than 12 months.
- Assembled a supportive team of deans and faculty advisors from the University’s health sciences departments.
- Received a $2,500 grant from the university as initial seed funding.