The American Academy of Physician Assistants in Occupational Medicine (AAPA-OM) was founded in 1981 as an educational organization to represent physician assistants (PAs) who share a common interest and role in the care of the working person and prevention of workplace illness and injury. In addition to serving as the voice and advocate of PAs in occupational medicine, AAPA-OM strives to promote continuing education for its members, to provide PA employment information to Occupational Medicine physicians, and to strengthen the role of PAs by supporting and encouraging membership in AAPA and other occupational medicine societies.