By Ron Pace, PA-C

At this year’s annual business meeting at Marco Island, the Board of Directors presented Mary Ettari, PA-C, MPH, with the Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of dedication and service to the Academy and to the PA profession. It is an honor well deserved by this outstanding physician assistant. The award was presented to her by Ron Pace on behalf of the Academy. Here is Mr. Pace’s presentation speech:
 
“On occasion, the Board of Directors chooses to give special recognition to one of the Academy’s members in recognition of exemplary service to the Academy and to the profession by the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Only five Florida physician assistants to date have received this award in our thirty eight year history, Barry Strohman in 1994, Jack E. Hasty, Jr. in 1995, and John Byrnes and Deborah Gerbert 2002. Oh yeah, and myself in 2005.
 
Today it is my honor and privilege to add another name to that prestigious list of our colleagues to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award,…….. Mary Ettari.
 
This selfless devoted lady is without a doubt one of the most treasured resources that the Florida Academy has had the good fortune to have in our Academy. I know you all understand that I as one of the old farts still active in Academy affairs has a very good idea of who does and has done what for this Academy over the years.
 
This amazing lady began her medical career as a nurse but had the wise insight to realize she could give more to her patients. And even though she came from a nursing background, she even more wisely saw that best pathway to a future in healthcare would be as a physician assistant. She graduated with honors from the Duke University PA Program. She has worked in orthopedics, in academia as a program clinical coordinator, and in family practice. And somewhere along the way she added a Masters in Public Health to her resume. Last October she added home remodeler to her resume. I am told she swings a mean sledge hammer, well at least till she broke a nail according to Dave.
 
Mary was never one to be content to just be in clinical medicine but like myself decided she enjoys the political aspect of our profession and felt she could make a contribution in that endeavor, and that she has done to say the least. She has made an impact on both a state and national level. She never does just one thing at a time, but manages to wear several hats at a time usually,
 
She has held multiple positions in the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She was active in the House of Delegates and for that she received the Outstanding Service Award in 2001 from the House of Delegates. She served on the AAPA Board of Directors as the Secretary, and has just completed her three year stint as President Elect, President, and Past President. Along the way she also served on the Physician Assistant Foundation Board of Trustees and as President of the Foundation. She has served on multiple advisory committees for the AAPA and has been a frequent flier to DC to lobby congress in our behalf on a national basis for many years.
 
In Florida, Mary made her mark by serving as Chair of the Conference Planning Committee from 2000 to 2005, and on the FAPA Foundation Board of Trustees. She served us very well as President of this Academy in 1997-98.
 
But to me her most notable contribution to this Academy has been in her leadership on the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee and the Political Action Committee. Her abilities to handle politically sensitive issues and to help advise the leadership of this Academy for many years have helped put this Academy in the respected position that we find ourselves in today in the medical community. Her ability to make and maintain political contacts and friendships is unmatched in this Academy in my humble opinion. And she always does it in such a manner that the spotlight is on the organization that she represents, and not her. That is the sign of a true leader. The respect that Mary has earned within the major organized medical groups has been and continues to be invaluable to the PA profession nationally and very much so here in Florida.
 
In my position as a FAPA leader I have always valued Mary’s opinion and I have considered her my mentor for years. I can always count on her to honest and truthful and tell me what I need to hear, not always what I want to hear. But she always does it with respect and kindness. It takes a true friend to be able to tell you that you are an idiot and not make you feel like one. Mary has been a true friend to me and many others in FAPA over the years. I know I can call her anytime of the day or night and she will graciously take my call, listen to what I have to say, and then discuss an appropriate solution. And yes, I have known her to tell me “My that’s nice, Ron” on more than one occasion.
 
For me one of the moments that I cherish most as a PA from Florida was watching Mary on the stage at the AAPA national conference making her presentation as President elect of that organization. Mary was assuming Presidency of the AAPA, and I received the AAPA Physician Assistant of the Year Award. What a historic year for Florida. That will probably never happen again. But to watch Mary make such a professional presentation and with such class and grace made me proud to know her and be her friend, and even more proud to be a fellow PA from Florida.
 
She received the FAPA Bob Scully PA of the Year Award in 2001 for her years of service to this Academy. Mary was given the Duke University Alumnus of the Year Award in 2002 in recognition of her achievements and dedication to this profession.
 
Now that Mary is winding down from her national commitments, she has promised to redirect some of her incredible energies back to our state Academy and true to her word as she continues to remain active with the LGAC and the PAC. For that, we are lucky and I am grateful!
 
But despite all she has done the awards and accolades for this hardworking lady have been too few and far between. Today we will help rectify that.
 
So it is with great honor that it is my privilege on behalf of the FAPA Board of Directors to present Mary with this Lifetime Achievement Award. Help me welcome Mary Ettari, the newest recipient of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
The award plaque reads:
 
Presented to MARY ETTARI, PA-C, MPH, In grateful recognition and appreciation for the many years of selfless dedication and unequalled service you have given and continue to give to this Academy and to the Physician Assistant profession, but most importantly to the patients for whom you have provided compassion and care of the highest quality.
 
Presented this 1st day of August, 2008, Marco Island Marriott Resort & Spa, Marco Island, Florida.”

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