RIAPA PA Week Celebration & 50th Anniversary Event

Join the Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants for a special evening celebrating PA Week and RIAPA’s 50th anniversary on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at Massimo Ristorante in Providence.

This milestone event will bring together physician assistants, PA students, healthcare leaders, colleagues, and supporters from across Rhode Island for an evening of networking, education, recognition, and celebration. Guests will have the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, build new professional relationships, and reflect on RIAPA’s five decades of service to Rhode Island’s PA profession.

The program will recognize the important contributions PAs make to patient care and celebrate RIAPA’s history, accomplishments, and continued commitment to advocacy, professional development, and the advancement of PA practice.

Enjoy an engaging evening featuring dinner, networking, educational programming, exhibitors, and special 50th anniversary recognition at one of Providence’s premier dining destinations.

Guest Speaker: 
Matthew R. Butler, MBA

Director of Artificial Intelligence, Brown University Health

Matthew R. Butler, MBA, serves as Director of Artificial Intelligence at Brown University Health, where he leads the health system’s artificial intelligence strategy and the responsible implementation of AI technologies. His work focuses on using AI to expand access to healthcare, reduce administrative and documentation burdens on clinicians, improve patient and care-team experiences, and transform healthcare operations.

Butler leads cross-functional efforts to evaluate proposed AI applications and establish appropriate governance, safety standards, privacy protections, and organizational safeguards. Brown University Health’s current AI initiatives include technologies designed to streamline clinical documentation, improve workflows, and allow healthcare professionals to spend more time focused directly on their patients.

Before joining Brown University Health, Butler held enterprise digital-health leadership positions at Mass General Brigham, working in population-health strategy, emerging technologies, and large-scale digital innovation. His earlier experience includes healthcare consulting with Accenture and operational roles at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Butler earned his Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business and his bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Stonehill College. He is a frequent speaker on responsible AI adoption, digital transformation, healthcare innovation, and the opportunities and risks associated with introducing artificial intelligence into clinical environments.

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Massimo Ristorante, Providence, Rhode Island

Celebrate the past, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of the PA profession in Rhode Island