§ 6540. Definitions. As used in this article: 1. Physician assistant. The term "physician assistant" means a person who is licensed as a physician assistant pursuant to this article.

2. Physician. The term "physician" means a practitioner of medicine licensed to practice medicine pursuant to article one hundred thirty-one of this chapter.

3. Approved program. The term "approved program" means a program for the education of physician assistants which has been formerly approved by the department.

4. 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 in accordance with rules and regulations of the public health and health planning council.