PA of the Year 2005

CAPT Michael Milner, DHSc(c), PA-C, has had a long distinguished career with the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) during which time he has supported PHS Physician Assistants (PA’s) by serving as a member of the Health Service Professional Advisory Committee (HS PAC), in multiple board positions of the Public Health Service Academy of Physician Assistants (PHSAPA) and the AAPA Veterans Caucus and personally mentoring numerous PA’s in the uniformed services.

He currently serves as the Regional Health Administrator (RHA) for Region One Boston and is also the acting RHA for Region 5, Chicago. His regional portfolios includes the Offices of Women’s Health, Minority Health, Office of Family Planning (Title X), the HIV/AIDS Regional Resource Network and the Medical Reserve Corps initiative sponsored by the Office of the US Surgeon General. Additionally, he works closely with the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Response to provide regional leadership for Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response to “All-Hazards” public health emergencies.

Prior to serving as RHA to the New England area, Captain Milner worked with the Indian Health Service in Phoenix , Arizona . He served as the Chief Physician Assistant Consultant to the Director of the Indian Health Service from 1991 to 2001. In this capacity, he worked to improve the health of Native Americans and Alaska Natives by increasing the awareness of the value of non-physician providers in rural and underserved tribal clinics.

Before receiving his commission in the United States Public Health Service in 1989, Captain Milner served in the United States Air Force. He trained as a medical corpsman in 1973 and entered Physician Assistant training in 1982. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati , a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma , a Master of Medical Science degree from St. Francis University Physician Assistant program in Loretto , Pennsylvania and is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Health Science degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale , Florida .

CAPT Milner is a consummate officer who promotes and strongly supports the Physician Assistant profession. The PAPAG and the PHSAPA benefit from his extraordinary leadership as an Ex-Officio member who lends his unique experience and exemplary judgment to all activities and forums. CAPT Milner’s guidance was invaluable as a founding member of the PAPAG. His commitment to his country and the Public Health Service is unwavering. As such, he was recognized this year with the 2004 Responder of the Year award.

For his commitment to excellence, leadership and immeasurable devotion to fellow Physician Assistants, the PAPAG recognized CAPT Michael Milner with the inaugural PAPAG Physician Assistant of the Year award.