The TAPA Winter Conference was the highlight of my experience with Worth the Wait, as Dr. Patricia ‘Patsy’ Sulak presented an update to the nationally acclaimed teen abstinence program. Dr. Sulak reiterated the role primary care providers’ play in the day-to-day efforts to guide pre-teens, teens and their parents in making challenging decisions concerning their sexual activities.

Dr. Sulak reiterated her 2002 Conference message, that “sex is sex” and it’s all sex… The role the media plays, in this billion-dollar industry that promotes both promiscuity and a false sense of safety is something that we as health care providers and respected members of the community are obligated to address.

I selected the Scott & White Worth the Wait program to champion because it was a complete, well researched program. The content of the slides and CDs are rich with valuable information that has certainly changed the way I approach youth in my practice. The data is both powerful to parents, and to the teens I see during routine visits for wellness and youth sports examinations. Now that I’m familiar with the information in the Worth the Wait program, I find myself mentioning tidbits in virtually every venue. College students, community leaders, members of the clergy and school administrators all perk up when I mention “Worth the Wait”. It seems that little article in Time magazine really has been an icebreaker for folks who would otherwise not enter into the debate.

Dr. Sulak complimented the physician assistants who’ve begun presenting the program formally in all types of settings. More importantly she appealed to all in attendance to accept the “healer” responsibilities of our profession when the opportunity presents in your daily practice. I’d like to commend my colleagues, serving as Regional Coordinators for the TAPA Teens and Sex program. Many have now become “experts” in making calls on local community leaders, and have developed methods to both introduce and deliver the information contained in the program in a more “personal” manner.

I’ve found Worth the Wait to be a great resource for me to be a competent Practioner in my family medicine practice. I feel “liberated” as Dr. Sulak highlighted “knowledge is power” and the information within the slides and PowerPoint are so robust with useful data that you really begin to feel you are an expert!

In just a few months, the focus on Worth the Wait will soon transition to another “mission” or project, but I’ll certainly continue to promote this sound, powerful and enlightening program because ethically, we’re all committed to “serving, caring, healing”.

Thanks for your commitment in meeting the needs of others!

John Drobnica, MPAS, PA-C
President
Texas Academy of Physician Assistants