CHCS - Perspectives - Summer/Fall 2014

PERSPECTIVES • SUMMER–FALL 2014 46 During her early years of academia, Kristen Smethurst, M.P.A.S., PA-C, always knew she wanted to be involved in the medical pro- fession. She probably never imagined, however, her ambition would take her from Orlando—the City Beautiful—resplendent with warm sunshine, golden citrus trees, pink flamingos, and savage hurricanes—to a continent known for its playful koalas, legendary dingos, solitary wombats, and the red kangaroo, its largest native mammal—the Land Down Under. As a young student, Smethurst initially found herself distracted with athletics and her sorority in college. Providentially, she soon discovered the physician assistant profession after college and knew it was the right fit. “I was always the kid that watched the blood being drawn, picked the scab, and stayed strangely calm in an emergency,” she said. She even became an EMT in high school and was on the emergency response team for medical is- sues in the building. After earning her B.A. at Rollins College and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at the University of Florida, Smethurst was welcomed as a full-time assistant professor at NSU’s Orlando Campus, where our Physician Assistant Program has ben- efitted from her knowledge and skills. She has served as the OB/GYN specialist and loves watching the faces of her students as she teaches them. The excitement and enthusiasm the students bring are just a few of the rewards she has experienced while teaching at NSU Orlando. When visiting her office, one would be hard-pressed to find any section on her wall not displaying a cherished creation made by her young daughter, Emme. When asked to share a long-term goal, she responded, “Continue to strive for balance in my life and never stop learning.” Her commitment to her family and her students is evident. And it is because of this commitment that Smethurst found it necessary to readjust her schedule. For a season, it seemed she reached a win- win situation by being able to transition from full-time instructor to adjunct. With her husband’s current traveling demands, how- ever, Smethurst made the decision to fully embrace this trailblazing opportunity and relocate to the other side of the globe. “The PA practice is in its infancy in Australia,” she explained. “They have a PA program in Queensland that has graduated two classes. Just this year, they are allowing PAs to start practicing in Queensland only. Hopefully, if all goes well, the concept will spread across the rest of the country.” Smethurst hopes to contribute her training and experience to Australia’s burgeoning health care needs by finding volunteer op- portunities. “There is an Australian physician assistant society that has a bit of information. The American Women’s Auxiliary sup- ports the Royal Children’s Hospital, so I will look to get involved there,” she said. “I will also see if there is a way to replicate the volunteer work I was doing here at Grace Medical Home.” We are confident that whatever avenue of service Australia may afford Smethurst, she will serve as an extension of our NSU family and mission and contribute the same positive impact she infused in our PA Program. In this way, her presence will always be with us. It is for this reason we can confidently say, “It’s not goodbye: You’re just heading to the Land Down Under.” PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Orlando “Continue to strive for balance in my life and never stop learning.” A Fond Farewell to Kristen Smethurst By Iris M. Reynolds, Administrative Assistant