In the 1960s, the profession of physician assistant (PA) rose to prominence and has since transformed the landscape of the medicine by supplementing and supporting the work of overextended physicians. The history of PA practice and its expansion for over a half-century includes many tasks that were once considered the sole domain of physicians. Gradual recognition by medical professionals and lawmakers alike has shaped PA scope of practice to include a wide range of primary, specialty, and sub-specialty care, and has the potential to further shape the development of healthcare providers.