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November 26, 2025

To Whom It May Concern:

KAPA proudly recognizes Chrystal “Chrys” Means, PA-C, for her 35 years of dedicated service to the PA profession and the patients of Kentucky.

A 1990 graduate of the University of Kentucky, Chrys began her career in Geriatrics and went on to provide compassionate, expert care in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and 26 years in Family Practice.

A longstanding KAPA leader and advocate, Chrys has served in nearly every leadership role and spent countless hours in Frankfort advancing PA practice and patient access. She also served the PA profession by precepting students and passing on her knowledge and passion for the profession.

Her career reflects excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment. We celebrate her legacy and wish her joy in her well-deserved retirement this November 2025.

Join the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants for our 49th Annual CME Symposium on October 16-17, 2025  (Thursday and Friday)— a fully virtual event designed to inspire, educate, and empower PAs across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, CA

We welcome certified or certified-eligible Physician Assistant, and licensed or licensed-eligible Nurse Practitioners to join us to learn about our 12-month HIV fellowship program.

Please join us on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm for a virtual program entitled "Type 2 Inflammation: A Common Link in Multiple Diseases"

Join the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA) and the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) for our First Annual Charity Golf Scramble, benefiting the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, on August 29th at Weissinger Hills Golf Course in Shelbyville, Kentucky. We will kick off the day at 8:30a with remarks from our beneficiary and KAPA/IAPA leadership, followed by a “shotgun” style start on the course. Lunch will be provided at the clubhouse as teams finish for the day. All of the proceeds from the event will go to COTA, and to establish two scholarships for PA students in Kentucky and Indiana.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is the premier organization providing fundraising assistance to transplant families … for a lifetime. COTA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so funds raised to help meet transplant expenses are not considered income for families. Since 1986 more than $150 million has been raised across the country for thousands of children and young adults needing a life-saving organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant. COTA also works with individuals of any age with a single-gene disorders such as Polycystic Kidney Disease, Cystic Fibrosis or Sickle Cell Disease.

Friday, May 20, 2022
Indianapolis, IN

The Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants was represented at the 2022 American Academy of PAs House of Delegates meeting by our President Kelly Joy PA-C, Past-President Andrew Rutherford PA-C, and Secretary Josh Burkhart PA-C. The HoD met over the course of 3 days to discuss the future of the profession and take feedback from constituent organizations as they considered resolutions to guide AAPA’s governance for the next program year.

On behalf of Physician Assistants across the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA) has made great strides in improving opportunities for PAs over the past several years.  These advances have also positioned KAPA to better respond to the professional needs of PAs across Kentucky. In late 2020 our board of directors put together a needs assessment to capture what KAPA should be offering to our membership. A few common themes emerged, we moved quickly to create the programs and initiatives our members desired. 

In early 2021 KAPA launched our Online CME portal, followed shortly by an auto-renewal membership for Fellow members of KAPA, and we're excited to announce a brand new set of discounts for KAPA members from our partners. KAPA has worked to secure exclusive member-only discounts from the YMCA, Louisville City FC/Racing Louisville, Hello Fresh, Mutual of Omaha, and Massage Envy. For more details on those discounts visit the link below!

Join the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA) for our first ever virtual Spring CME Symposium. In 2020 Physician Assistants (PA) in Kentucky achieved expanded prescriptive authority under state law. KAPA is committed to supporting KY PAs as they meet their CME requirements to prescribe schedule III-V medications. With that in mind our Spring Symposium will be dedicated to topics around safe prescribing, controlled substance diversion, and community interventions.

You’re invited! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 30, 2022 and join the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute for the symposium, The Very Latest in Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery: Focus on Interventional Cardiology!