CHCS - Perspectives - Summer/Fall 2014

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Orlando PERSPECTIVES • SUMMER–FALL 2014 45 “As the location of Orlando’s first PA program, I had a keen interest in NSU and kept checking the Web site for fac- ulty vacancies,” added Scott, who is teaching clinical proce- dures and surgical skills, pediatrics, orthopedics, and cardiology and has maintained her skills by continuing to work clinically in the ER. She also admitted to being excited to come aboard full time to help educate quality physician as- sistants and work with the program’s top-notch faculty and staff members. “They are such an amazing group of people to work with—such teamwork.” To illustrate, let’s take a peek into one of our classrooms during Simulation Day, which is a time when Scott’s reference to the camaraderie found among the PA Orlando team is espe- cially evident. Reenactments are provided by computerized mannequins—as well as human standardized patients—to pro- vide a variety of medical scenarios ranging from psychiatric conditions to terminal illness. Many students state their favorite part of our program is Simulation Day because they are able to learn the whys of med- icine, hone in on their clinical skills, and have hands-on interac- tive experiences with their simulated patients under the careful guidance of their professors. “These experiences are invaluable for the students, as they feel like they are in the situation caring for a real patient with a real case,” she acknowledged. Another collaborative effort she has witnessed is the various clinics made available to the students. Ingrid Pichardo-Murray, D.P.T., M.P.A.S., PA-C, clinical director and assistant professor, and Susan Ryan, Ed.D., M.P.A.S., PA-C, assistant professor, have joined forces with community service organizations to provide volunteer opportunities for the PA students to gain ex- perience in the real world. While she is confident our students are more than prepared to meet various challenges, she believes there are local re- sources that can assist in further grooming them. “I would like our students to have earlier interaction with patients in the community during their first year,” she said.” Nursing homes and veterans hospitals are a couple of venues that can afford our students the opportunity to rehearse how to assess, com- municate, and interview future patients. As our students gaze at the road ahead of them, Scott buoyantly shared one of her favorite quotes. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” She wishes to be remembered for “The way I made people feel in actions and words.” When she is not educating our students, she can be found training for Tough Mudder events. She also enjoys running, cycling, swimming, and reading and relishes spending time out- doors with family and friends. Nothing, however, can surpass the moments spent with her two children. “They are truly the best things I have ever been a part of in my life,” she stated. Scott has developed a strong bond with both students and fellow team members, so it is evident her legacy has already begun to solidify within our academic walls. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in medicine...I thought it was a good mix with my personality to take care of people.” Photo Credit (for this page): Rohan swanston, class of 2015 PA-sgA Historian 1. scott (center) instructs class of 2015 students Van Ahn Tran and Teresa Rogers how to properly administer a nasal tube. 2. scott prepares class 2015 students for their next round of simulation training. students pictured (clockwise) are Amy Hemgesburg, Maria Lipari, Ashley Botsford, Kristin Feid, Angelica Romero, Jennifer Matey, and Ashley nnorom. 2 1