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Physician Assistant Norman Lee Walker introduces credentials to House committee during confirmation hearing
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Summary
Norman Lee Walker, a physician assistant with 27 years of experience and multi‑state licensure, told the Alaska House Health and Social Services Committee he supports some regulatory changes but has no political agenda as he seeks confirmation to the physician assistant seat on the State Medical Board.
Norman Lee Walker, a physician assistant with 27 years of experience, introduced himself to the Alaska House Health and Social Services Committee on April 23 as the committee considered his confirmation to the physician assistant seat on the State Medical Board. Walker said he has been licensed in multiple states and has experience across neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine and family medicine.
Walker told the committee he was appointed a few months earlier and had attended two or three board meetings. "Most of what we do on the medical board is, 1, reviewing license applications... and then the other aspect... is reviewing complaints," he said, describing the board's work on investigations, recommendations for extra training or supervision and, in some cases, full disciplinary actions.
Committee members asked Walker about joining professional organizations and differences among state licensing regimes. To Representative Gray's question about joining the Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants, Walker said he likely would, noting he is already a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and had met Alaska organization officers. He described how independent practice trends for advanced practice providers vary by state and said differences in supervision requirements can affect rural hiring.
On collaborative practice agreements, Walker said the board examines whether agreements meet statutory and rule criteria, including chart review and adequate supervision, and that comfort with supervision depends on an individual's experience. He also said he had not yet been presented any supervision agreements to review since joining the board.
Walker told the committee he is currently working temporarily as a locum in Delaware but expects to return to Alaska for full-time work; he said he spent about four years practicing in Alaska previously and cited Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium as his most recent Alaska employer. On motivations for serving, Walker said he had been asked to fill a vacancy and hoped to help when the volunteer board has a hard time keeping positions filled.
Chair Representative Mina Chier opened and closed the public testimony period on Walker's appointment with no in-person or online testimony. In accordance with AS 39 5 80 the committee recorded the hearing; signing the committee report, the chair noted, does not indicate member intent to vote for or against confirmation later.
The committee did not take a confirmation vote during the April 23 hearing; the report was signed and the meeting moved to the scheduled presentation from the University of Alaska Anchorage College of Health.
