The Naval Society of Physician Associates (NSPA) was originally founded as the Naval Association of Physician Assistants (NAPA) in 1976. This was after some enterprising Navy PAs decided we should join forces and have delegates at the AAPA House of Delegates. NAPA involvement at the annual AAPA conference started in 1977. This new Navy Chapter also invited Coast Guard PAs to join.
Some of the Plankowners:
Thomas Powell Chris Handy John Peck Bob Aiken Bill Sweeny Jim Acoba Thom Clayton John Mott John LeRoy Bill Lussier
NAPA started hosting CME events back in 1987. At that time, the events were co-sponsored with SAFPA (Society of Air Force PAs) and the first CME event was held in Charleston, South Carolina. Soon afterwards, NAPA started putting on their own successful CME conferences in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The local hospital CO was very supportive and NAPA enjoyed much success under the CME Committee leadership of Nora Perez. In the 1990's NAPA CME conferences were moved to San Antonio and co-hosted with SAFPA and TAPA (Texas Academy of PAs). This went well until events on 11 Sept 2001 changed the world as we know it. High op tempo in the Navy has kept us all quite busy since then, but many still hold out the hope that NAPA can one day return to hosting CME events for its members. In the meantime, NAPA will continue to support the PA profession and NAPA members to the fullest extent possible. Our strength is in our active membership. Go NAPA!
Special thanks to all who have answered the call and have served as NSPA Presidents:
- Wilt Chemell 2025-2026
- Nicholas Evans 2024-2025
- Carolan Whitney 2023-2024
- Brooke Dorsey 2022-2023
- Brittany Hout 2021-2022
- Veronica Gomez 2020-2021
- Ben Mattox 2019-2020
- Michelle Miller 2018-2019
- Steve Rogers 2017-2018
- Clifton Butler 2016-2017
- Kishla Askins 2015-2016
- Kerri Browne 2014-2015
- David Bachand 2013-2014
- John Conza 2012-2013
- Eusebio Flores 2011-2012
- Ron Perry 2010-2011
- Nora Perez 2008-2010
- Keith Hutchins 2006-2008
- Donald Harris 2004-2006
- Dave Holder 2002-2004
- Toni Lopez 2000-2002
- Patty Miller 1998-2000
- Ron Woodruff 1995-1997
- Bill Feyh 1993-1994
- Judy Robertson 1992
- Rich Mondak 1990-1991
- Earl Metier 1988-1989
- Bruce Ross 1986-1987
- Gary Evans 1985
- Leo Cleveland 1983-1984
- Wilfred Burton 1982
- J. Ron Pace 1981
- Jim Acoba 1979-1980
- Bill Lussier 1978
- John Mott 1977
- Thom Clayton 1976
