Folusho Ogunfiditimi, a physician associate/physician assistant in DeLand, officially took over July 1 as the new board chair of the American Academy of Physician Associates.

As president of the national organization, Ogunfiditimi will advocate on behalf of the more than 168,300 PAs nationwide and will help to address some of the largest issues impacting patients in Florida, including ongoing health care workforce shortages, cost, and difficulty in accessing health care.

“I truly believe there has never been a better time to be a PA in America. I am honored and humbled to serve as AAPA president and Chair of the Board of Directors during a time when PAs are poised to lead innovation in healthcare that will bring about significant improvements in patient care,” Ogunfiditimi said.

Ogunfiditimi has been the administrator of practice management for Florida Health Care Plans, where he oversees clinical operations at practices in five counties. Growing up in Nigeria, he saw firsthand how challenging accessing quality health care can be. He wants to improve the quality of, and access to, high-quality health care as he transitions from his role as AAPA president-elect to president and chair of the board.