“One Cadre, One Voice” – The Global Unification of Clinical Officers, Physician Associates & Analogues Moves Forward
Birmingham/London, May 1, 2025 –
In a bold and strategic step toward uniting Clinical Officers, Physician Associates, and their analogues across the globe, GACOPA President Austin Oduor Otieno will this week embark on an official mission to the United Kingdom from May 4–12, 2025, as preparations intensify for the highly anticipated 5th GACOPA International Delegates and Scientific Conference.
The conference, which will be held at Aston University in Birmingham from August 27–30, 2025, is set to become the largest global gathering for the clinical practitioners professionals. The theme, “One Cadre, One Voice – Standardizing Clinical Officers and Physician Associates as a Global Cadre for Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” underscores a shared mission to harmonize training, recognition, and deployment of this essential workforce.
Official UK Mission Itinerary
Mr. Otieno’s UK visit will include a series of high-level engagements with academic, conference hosts , and professional bodies central to the success of the upcoming conference:
- May 4: Departure to London
- May 5: Arrival and onward travel to Birmingham, with a key planning meeting alongside Prof. Phil Begg, Co-Chair of the GACOPA 2025 Conference
- May 6–7: Technical and logistical sessions at Aston University, including a comprehensive tour of the conference venue and hostels
- May 8 (Morning): Strategic meeting in Birmingham with:
- Fitzpatrick Alice, Acting President, College of Medical Associates Professionals (CMAPs)
- Steve Nash, General Secretary, United Medical Associates professionals (UMAPS)
- M, Medical Associate Congress
➤ Mr. Otieno will then travel to London in the afternoon
- May 9–10: Participation in the Physician Assistant for Global Health Conference at St George’s University of London, where he will serve as a GACOPA representative and Honorary Board Member