Section 6540. Definitions

As used in this article: 1. Physician assistant.
  The  term  "physician  assistant"  means a person who is registered as a
  physician assistant pursuant to this article.
    2. Specialist assistant.  The  term  "specialist  assistant"  means  a
  person  who  is  registered  pursuant  to  this  article as a specialist
  assistant for a particular medical specialty as defined  by  regulations
  promulgated   by   the   commissioner  of  health  pursuant  to  section
  thirty-seven hundred one of the public health law.
    3. Physician.  The term "physician" means a practitioner  of  medicine
  licensed to practice medicine pursuant to article one hundred thirty-one
  of this chapter.
    4.  Approved program.  The term "approved program" means a program for
  the education of physician assistants or specialist assistants which has
  been formerly approved by the department.
    5. Hospital. The term "hospital"  means  an  institution  or  facility
  possessing  a  valid  operating  certificate  issued pursuant to article
  twenty-eight of the public health law and authorized to employ physician
  assistants and  specialist  assistants  in  accordance  with  rules  and
  regulations of the state hospital review and planning council.