Bio
My name is Adam Grycko, and my journey in healthcare was launched almost sixteen years ago. After an early beginning as a Radiology Clerk, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (2009). My first exposure to Physician Assistants was in the department of Neurosurgery at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre (HSC). I witnessed the development and success of the Physician Assistant Education Program at the University of Manitoba (now known as MPAS), before being accepted into the program in 2011.
Upon graduation, I began my career as a PA in the Department of General Surgery & Surgical Oncology at HSC. Over the past few years, I have had the unique opportunity of working in close proximity to current PA trailblazers (i.e. current MPAS director / former CAPA President Ian Jones and current provincial director Russ Ives), who have served as invaluable mentors in the areas of leadership, education and political positioning of the profession.
For the past two years, I have been a member of CAPA’s Canadian Certification Exam Committee, as well as the Continuing Professional Development Committee. It has been an honour to participate in the development of the Canadian PA certification exam, while working closely / learning from fellow PAs around the country.
In 2015, I was accepted into the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of Manitoba, with the goal of refining my leadership skills in both the private and public sectors of management. My main concentrations are in Healthcare Administration, as well as Leadership and Organizations.
Election Platform
I am currently pursuing the honor of becoming the next President of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA). Working in healthcare for over fifteen years has afforded me a unique perspective on past, current and future trends in the industry. Above all else, I value the concept of sustainability as it applies to the PA profession.
Physician Assistants have a rich and storied history of overcoming a multitude of obstacles (i.e. public opinion, recognition as a profession, funding, etc.). Under the leadership of CAPA, we as PAs have navigated these obstacles and have made believers out of doubters, and supporters out of those who opposed us. However, the time has come to shift our focus towards longer-term goals and positioning of the profession as the leader, solution, and future for healthcare reform.
The ethos of the campaign will be that of “sustainability” within three (3) central pillars:
- Physician Assistant awareness (public) & national integration (work force)
- Optimization of cost control measures & waste management
- Physician Assistant continuing education (practicing PAs)
The aim will be to strengthen & build on CAPAs current Strategic Plan, with an emphasis on the “modern day” Physician Assistant’s needs – both as a collective, as well as individual practitioners.
Schematic:
If elected as your National President, I will put forth my greatest efforts to advocate for PAs, the profession, and our patients. I look forward to working with CAPA and the board of directors in our collective pursuit for a more sustainable future, in Canadian Healthcare.