Since Forsyth Magazines has been introducing readers to the exceptional physician assistants, also known as PAs, at Novant Health Vein Specialists over the last few months, it’s become clear how valuable the role of the PA is within the Novant Health family. They are vital to their peers, and their presence can be life-changing for patients.
In October, Novant Health Vein Specialists welcomed its newest addition to the PA team, Samantha Abbott. Chosen from nearly two dozen applicants, she joins this skillful and dedicated team, knowing the one constant here is the longevity of providers. For the patient, that means arriving each year at your annual screening, knowing the same team will be there to greet you. That’s a valuable personal connection to boost a patient’s peace of mind. And for a PA like Samantha, interested in the vascular specialty, there are so many opportunities here with the team and patients to positively impact lives.
As the PA profession becomes increasingly popular, it’s clear that everyone benefits from the patient-centered, collaborative relationship between doctors and PAs. The doctor/PA dyad works together as a team, assessing symptoms, performing surgery as needed, and responding to their patients’ questions and concerns. Because the vascular specialty encompasses almost all parts of the body, each case is different. The camaraderie between providers is key in sharing ideas for treatment plans—no matter what the illness or injury—and if one provider is out for any reason, another is already up-to-date on the case and ready to step in.
Joel Deonanan, MD, shares, “Since our profession has us working together with everyone on the team every single day, our PAs naturally are exposed to, and thus excel at, working in our team setting.”
The required path for a new PA includes pursuing a bachelor’s degree, completing a minimum of 2,000 logged hours of patient care experience before applying to a PA program, shadowing a specialist in the field that most interests them, and after graduation from an accredited PA program, passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. Experienced physicians always advise prospective PA candidates to be open to a variety of experiences, and for those interested in a career as a vascular PA, a typical day would include rotating work with every provider.
The three established PAs on staff at Novant Health Vein Specialists span a collective 12 years with the group. Amanda Cooksey, PA, notes that during her clinical rotations in PA school, she spent time in the operating room, clinic and in the field—enjoying that every day was different. She learned that care could be both broad and specialized, all at once. “The providers are all so respectful, and let me have a voice,” she adds. “Our work is very peer-to-peer oriented.”
Keith Bond, PA, immediately noticed the providers at Novant Health Vein Specialists are committed to quality care in a patient-centered environment. “That’s a mission that resonates within the team from day one,” Bond said.
Every provider at Novant Health Vein Specialists shares the value of the “family” atmosphere within the clinic, and notes that patients are treated with the same family-level respect and compassion. “We’re here to provide remarkable—and often life-saving—care, which comes naturally to each of us,” said Bond.
Novant Health Vein Specialists has 10 experienced vascular providers you can trust to meet your needs, both in person and virtually. The care team uses the latest technology to provide advanced, individualized programs and treatments, and the clinic also offers free monthly screenings at the Winston-Salem location. The remaining 2022 dates are Nov. 1st and 17th, and Dec. 1st and 6th, where you may meet one of the newest PAs and see why their presence is so valuable to the group!
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit SalemVeins.com or call 336-776-3160.
