The industry has evolved to a more team-based approach, inclusive of a diverse group of healthcare professionals.
You graduated from high school at age 16 and as a physician assistant at 20. Talk about your process in setting goals and reaching them.
During PA school and early in my career, balancing multiple projects or passions has required me to be as efficient as possible, and that work ethic has continued with me to this day. Once I set a goal, my first step is to prioritize it based on the level of impact and the effort required. I live off to-do lists, so once its prioritized and makes the list, I will do everything in my power to check it off.
You faced challenges moving up the ranks without a nursing degree. What are the pros and cons of degrees, certifications and experience in getting good, diverse talent?
Historically there has not been a clear pathway for physician assistants in leadership within the healthcare ecosystem. This posed various challenges for me early on as traditional clinical leadership roles required a nursing or M.D. degree, and yet the non-clinical healthcare leadership roles were not as familiar with a clinical degree. I am happy to see the industry has evolved to a more team-based approach, inclusive of a diverse group of healthcare professionals. I found my MBA and certifications invaluable because they allowed me to broaden my perspective from a purely clinical one to a more global and institutional lens. Degrees and certifications are indispensable and can help individuals excel in their jobs, but with the rapid evolution of healthcare I am a strong believer in choosing talent based on passion, skills, and most importantly, motivation.
You have advocated greater visibility for advanced practice providers. How has COVID helped or hindered that advocacy?
The global pandemic has undoubtedly been challenging and demanding on all members of the healthcare team. The silver lining was the unveiling of the breadth, scope and impact of the advanced practice profession. For years advanced practice—consisting of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives—has been an invisible workforce, the behind-the-scenes team that holds a production together. As the needs of our patients and communities transformed through the pandemic, APPs across the country rose to the occasion. They tapped into the versatility of their training to be deployed to areas of need. They were leaders in digital health, especially in telemedicine where they filled a critical void and served as the
glue that kept patients and care teams together through a challenging and unprecedented time.
Meet the Top 25 Emerging Leaders Class of 2021
