Established in 2006, the Practice Plan, also known as Augusta University Health Professions Associates (AUHPA) Inc., was created by faculty within the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) primarily to provide a mechanism for faculty to engage in practice in clinical, consulting, and continuing education roles.
AUHPA is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation that manages the contracting, financial, and logistical tasks that make it possible for CAHS faculty to maintain their clinical skills, involve students in clinical activities, and fulfill our mission to engage with our community.
Our community partners have access to a wide range of experienced clinical professionals:
Who is the AUHPA for?
All full‐time faculty members of the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) are members of the Practice Plan. Part‐time faculty and credentialed staff have the option to participate. Membership does not mandate that the faculty member engages in professional practice.
What are benefits of AUHPA?
Benefits to the faculty member include the opportunity for current faculty to supplement their income while also maintaining their practice skills and creating additional learning opportunities for students. Additional benefits of faculty practice include revenues for the department and college.
AUHPA, Inc.
Stephanie Johnson, OTR/L, PhD, MHS
Assistant Dean of Clinical Practice
Abbreviated Procedure to Begin Faculty Practice
The faculty member identifies a practice opportunity, has a discussion with the department chair, and contacts the site.
The faculty member completes and submits the Request to Practice Form to the Practice Plan Chief Administrator (Assistant Dean of Clinical Practice).
The administrator prepares the contract and coordinates with the practice site.
The contract undergoes legal review, if necessary.
The contract is signed first by a representative of the contracting entity and then by the Dean, College of Allied Health Sciences, AUHPA Board Chair.
Once the contract is signed by the Dean, the faculty member may begin practicing.
The faculty member tracks their activity (hours or units) and submits a time sheet to the Practice Plan administrative assistant by the end of each quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). Faculty compensation is added to the AU paycheck as supplemental income in January, April, July, and October. This income is taxable.
Reference Practice Plan Operating Policies for additional details on the process.
AUHPA, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for‐profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors which includes elected and appointed faculty members of the practice plan.
The Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors.
Term Expiration: September 2024
Brett Rice
Ashley Fox
Vanessa Everett
3 voting members; *1 non-voting member
Dr. Lester Pretlow
Stephanie Johnson
Open
Vacant
8 voting members
Tiffany Prescott (SLP)
Vanessa Everett (PT)
Kandyce A'see (DH)
Ashley Fox (PT)
Vacant
Brett Rice (AHP)
Nicole Moore (DND)
Stephanie Johnson (OT)
Vanessa Everett
Nicole Moore
Open
Aubre Keenan
How is "practice" defined by the Practice Plan?
How are services provided under the Faculty Practice plan compensated?
Practice plan fund allocations are divided as follows: The faculty member’s Department receives 7.5%, the Dean’s Fund receives 7.5%, and the Plan Administrative Fund receives 15% (7.65% for employer taxes and 7.35% for Plan operating expenses).
What activities are considered to be outside the scope of the Practice Plan?
The following types of income earned by faculty or credentialed staff are excluded from the provisions of this plan:
For more information, please refer to the Outside Activities Policy.
How much time can I spend in clinical practice?
The Department Chair, in consultation with the faculty member, determines the percent of effort that will be assigned to faculty practice. Typically, faculty members are allowed either 10% effort (4 hours per week) or 20% (8 hours per week) during normal duty hours. Practice outside of normal duty hours is allowed by the University System of Georgia and Augusta University and is governed by the Outside Activities Policy (Appendix 3). However, the faculty member who provides professional service outside of normal business hours is not covered by the USG’s malpractice insurance. Only faculty practice performed under the auspices of the faculty practice plan is covered by USG’s malpractice insurance.
What does a "Professional Services Agreement" look like?
View this generic template for a "Professional Services Agreement" (contract).
Approximately how large is the Practice Plan and what services are being offered?
The Practice Plan generates net revenue of between $250,000 and $300,000 per year from supplemental income (SI) contracts, with 70% paid to the faculty member through the AU payroll.
