– The following is based on information gathered from the PA Historical Society
In honor of Black History Month, NCAPA is highlighting outstanding Black PA leaders in North Carolina to share their accomplishments. 
Robert Lee Wooten, Jr., PA-C, became interested in the PA profession in 1972 while working as a paramedic and nursing assistant in the emergency department at his local hospital. He attended the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University and graduated from the PA program in 1981. From 1981-1986, PA Wooten worked in an under-served community in North Carolina in family practice. He then moved on to the Forsyth County Health Department to become manager of the Public Health Clinics and also provided HIV testing and education for the NC Health Department. In 1990, PA Wooten was hired at the Forsyth Medical Center to practice emergency medicine, where he currently works PRN.
During his distinguished career, PA Wooten has served on various committees and boards representing PA practice. He has served on the PA Rules and Regulations Task Force for the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners from 1993-1994, the PA Advisory Committee on the North Carolina Medical Board from 1995-1998, and the PA Foundation Development Committee from 1998-2008. PA Wooten represents AAPA as a member of the Commission to End Health Care Disparities and in 2021, he was elected Chair of the AAPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission. Currently, PA Wooten also serves as the President of the NCAPA Endowment, providing funds to support PA students, CME, leadership training, and PAs in treatment for addiction disorders.
PA Wooten has held numerous leadership positions in both state and national PA organizations, including:
- NCAPA President – 1997-1998
- AAPA President – 2011-2012
- African Heritage PA Caucus President – 1999-2000.
PA Wooten is adjunct faculty with the Wake Forest PA program. He also practices emergency medicine at Forsyth Medical Center, where he precepts PA students from across North Carolina. PA Wooten was also a medical examiner for Forsyth County and has served as the Director of PA/NP Services for Forsyth Emergency Services.
PA Wooten and his wife Teresa have been married since 1982 and have three children. His youngest son, Aaron Wooten, followed in his footsteps and graduated from Wake Forest University in 2019. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and jazz music, and he would like to travel around the world.
