CHCS - Perspectives - Summer/Fall 2014

PERSPECTIVES • SUMMER–FALL 2014 41 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Fort Myers Veronica Victorian, M.M.S., PA-C, who is a proud 2010 graduate of the Physician Assistant Fort Myers Program, has always proven to be a leader in everything she does. As a student, she served as vice presi- dent of her class while simultaneously being a dedicated wife and mother. Victo- rian received her Bachelor of Science de- gree in Kinesiology Exercise Science at the University of Houston in 2000. She then launched her career at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, spending seven years as a pediatric exercise specialist prior to re- locating to Florida to embark on her grad- uate education as a physician assistant. Victorian has come full circle and is now an integral team member at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Department of Pe- diatric Surgery. In her short career, she has had many outstanding accomplish- ments, including her active involvement in research and clinical outcomes for evi- dence-based practice (EBP). In 2013, she had four IRB-approved research projects and authored four abstracts and three poster presentations. In addition, she serves as a mentor and preceptor for PA students from across the country and was appointed as a faculty member for Baylor College of Medicine and an adjunct faculty member at Rocky Mountain College after being a physician assistant for just one year. Recently, Victo- rian’s colleagues selected her as Physician Assistant of the Year for Texas Children’s Hospital from an impressive group of con- tenders. “It is truly humbling and an honor to receive this award as I simply try to do my best,” said Victorian as she ac- cepted her award. “I could not do this without my team.” Victorian, who was the first PA on the hospital’s pediatric surgery team, has been a PA pioneer for the hospital and is now leading a large team of PAs in its Pediatric Surgery Department. Alumni Spotlight: VERONICA VICTORIAN Victorian with her Physician Assistant of the Year Award. FORT MYERS PA PROGRAM PARTICIPATES IN 5K FUN IN THE SUN SCHOLARSHIP RUN The PA program in Fort Myers was proud to participate in the College of Health Care sciences’ 5K Fun in the sun scholarship Run. While the college held the run on June 7, the Fort Myers Campus held its run a week prior on May 30, raising over $1,000. Overall, 35 students as well as faculty and staff members participated in the 5K run. Alexandra Liles (class of 2015) was the first to cross the finish line, followed by Kelly Kane (class of 2015) and Michael Coyle (class of 2016).