If there is one principle Alan Sams has lived by, it would be “service to others”. He served his country as a Navy Hospital Corpsman with the Marines and his profession in positions of leadership with the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA), and the Fellowship of Christian PAs. Service also included leadership positions on the staff of medical institutions, as well as with community and religious organizations. Sams served them all well and met many challenges with all his energy.
Alan Sams, PA, DFAAPA, was born in Charleston, South Carolina. His father was a mechanical engineer for General Electric. The demands of his father’s position resulted in Sams, his older brother, and parents making several moves while growing up, which included New York and several cities in Georgia. There was even an “interrupting” move to Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico when his father was called to active duty during the Korean War. Sams completed high school in Clarkston, GA in 1963 and was accepted at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. After one year, he desired a different path and entered DeKalb Community College in Clarkston where he pursued his interest in biological sciences. There, he also met his future wife, Diane Fallentine, though reciprocal admiration was not immediate. Life was again interrupted, this time, by the Vietnam War.
When the Selective Service notified Sams to report for a physical exam in 1966, and with the war on the news every day, it caused him to quickly evaluate the areas of potential service. Sams at first thought of serving the Navy on nuclear submarines or with the aviation service. However, due to some vision issues and his history of studying biologic sciences in college, Sams was “guided” into the Hospital Corps. Like many young sailors, he began to realize this meant his training would certainly lead to service with the Marines in Vietnam regardless of the vision issue which precluded submarine and aviation service. After completing Hospital Corps training in San Diego, Sams and his entire class were bused directly to Camp Pendleton for Fleet Marine Service School. He was then assigned to Philadelphia Naval Hospital but found the work there “stifling drudgery”. Even with a tour in Vietnam still in the mix, Sams volunteered for sea duty to end future anxiety. In late 1967, Sams was assigned to the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade on Okinawa. It was a short hop from there to Danang, Vietnam, arriving on Thanksgiving Day. Sams was assigned to a combat unit serving on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). His combat tour included the Tet Offensive of 1968. Sams served from 1966-1970 and was honorably discharged with his service record including the Bronze Star (with Combat “V”), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Campaign Medal with (5) Campaign Stars, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Sams experiences crystallized his interest in medicine.
After reading the Look Magazine article (More Than a Nurse, Less Than a Doctor) about the emerging profession of physician assistants, Sams applied and was accepted into the Duke University PA Program, Class of 1972. Following graduation, he began his career with the Willow Practice of Urology in Greenville, SC. In 1974, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to begin his long career in cardiac surgery with Emory Healthcare, Division of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery. In 1997, after 23 years in surgery, he accepted a position at Emory Healthcare Center for Pain Medicine, treating patients with chronic pain. His appointment to the scientific staff at Emory University Hospital and Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta – beginning in 1974 – was well founded as he was involved as a co-author for five articles related to cardiac surgery. Two were published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia, two were in the Southern Medical Journal, and one was accepted for publication in the Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery. Sams also presented a paper on “Repeat Coronary Revascularization: Indications, Risks and Results” at the Southern Medical Association meeting in 1974.
Despite a demanding work schedule, Sams spent endless hours providing volunteer service in multiple capacities with the AAPA from 1973 to 2003. During the Academy’s fledgling years, he served on the Board of Directors from 1973–1975. From 1973–1977 he was chair of the Elections Committee helping develop the initial House of Delegates. In 1977, Sams began serving as the first chair of the Professional Practices and Relations Committee, establishing policies regarding standard Hospital Guidelines, the original Dependent Practice Policy Statement, and forging professional guidelines between the AAPA and many national professional medical, prescriptive, and membership organizations. He completed that work in 1981 and became chair of the Surgical Council. In 1988, Sams was asked to serve as the first PA liaison representative to the American College of Surgeons until 1991. But he was not done. From 1995–2003 he was the caucus chair for the Fellowship of Christian PAs serving in the House of Delegates. He doubled-up on his volunteer activity in many of these years. From 1976–1988 and again from 1990–2002, he served as a Delegate from the Georgia Academy of PAs (GAPA) to the AAPA House of Delegates. He is a recipient of the AAPA Founder’s Achievement Award, Medallion for Service, and Certificate of Merit; he also remains a Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA (DFAAPA).
Back home in Georgia in 1975, Sams was the founding president for the GAPA (Georgia Association of Physician Assistants) and served two additional terms as president in subsequent years. Between 1976 and 1992, he served as secretary, president-elect, president, immediate past president, vice-president, chair of the Elections Committee and chair of the Membership Committee. Between 1977-1979, Sams also served on the board of directors for the Georgia Society of Allied Health Professions. From 1982–1988, he was the first PA representative to the Georgia State Board of Medical Examiners serving as the first PA representative on the PA Advisory Committee. GAPA has honored Sams with a “Special Recognition” award, multiple Certificates of Appreciation, a Life Member designation, and the first to be inducted as a “Circle of Honor” member.
In 1987, Sams became a member of the Fellowship of Christian Physician Assistants (FCPA) and remains a Fellow to this day. He served on its board of directors continuously from 1988 until 2010, and as president from 1995–1999. He was chosen by this organization to be the chair of the FCPA Caucus of AAPA from 1995–2003. Between 1995 and the present (2024) he served as the organization’s president twice, president-elect, two terms as immediate past president, and two terms as treasurer.
Sams professional life did not keep him from community efforts. He served as president of his Rehoboth Community Association and as its newsletter editor. He also served multiple years as a deacon for two different church congregations, governing board member for one church, several years as chairman of the Missions Education Committee, and participated with two mission trips to Santo Domingo, Costa Rica. Sams was a trustee for the DeKalb Christian Academy, 1990-1991. He was also assistant Girl Scout troop leader from 1983–1988 for his daughter’s troop.
Sams left his mark on the profession, his community, and workplaces. He is most proud of the many mentoring opportunities shared throughout his career, helping produce many future AAPA, GAPA, and FCPA leaders. His wife Diane, daughters Deidre and Jennifer, and son Alan Jr. have not seen him sit still for very long. Retirement has allowed him more time to travel with his wife of almost 55 years and spend extended times with grandchildren. Sams continues to enjoy flying, reading, and returning to music with his guitar.
Acknowledgments: This biography was prepared by Stephen Wilson with the assistance of Alan Sams. It was submitted to the Society in November 2024. Photographs are courtesy of Mr. Sams.
When using information from this biography, please provide the proper citation as described within the PA History Society Terms of Use.
