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In This Issue:
From left, Andy Whittemore, MD, Debra Leven, Laurie Bayer, PA-C, Ian Nagus, PA-C, and Deb Yolin, PA-C.
More than 25 years of service as a BWH physician assistant has given Laurie Bayer, PA-C, an opportunity to touch the hospital, patients and profession in many ways. In addition to being one of the original physician assistants hired by BWH in 1985, Bayer has played a critical role in multiple initiatives and projects, including establishing a wound care outreach program at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston that is staffed by BWH PAs. This year, she helped establish the BWH Wound Care Center, which provides a multidisciplinary program for patients to receive comprehensive wound care.
“Throughout her career, Laurie has made a tremendous impact and has advanced the PA profession through her teaching and example,” said Dennis Orgill, MD, PhD, associate chief of Plastic Surgery and medical director of the Wound Care Center and the Ambulatory Treatment Room.
Last week, BWH honored the nearly 150 PAs throughout Brigham and Women’s and Faulkner Hospitals and Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center with a recognition dinner, where PAs gathered with their supervising physicians, friends, guests and colleagues. During the event, Bayer, clinical director of the Ambulatory Treatment Room/Wound Care Clinic, and Ian Nagus, PA-C, chief physician assistant in the DF/BWCC Inpatient Pain and Palliative Care Services, were honored with 2010 PA Recognition Awards for their dedication and commitment to advancing the physician assistant practice.
“I’m humbled by this recognition, but it speaks more to the teamwork and dedication of everyone on my unit,” said Nagus.
“Ian is always ready to listen and help, and he has a great perspective and insight into the many difficulties that his patients and colleagues face,” said Kendra Church, PA-C, chief physician assistant for the Hematologic Malignancy Inpatient PA Team. “He educates others not only about palliative care, but also about caring for patients regardless of their situation. That is a great reminder of why we all became PAs.”
In addition to recognizing Bayer and Nagus, the event, which was sponsored by BWH and the BWPO and held at the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center, hosted guest speaker State Representative Peter Koutoujian, JD, as well as Andy Whittemore, MD, chief medical officer, who delivered a message to all PAs.
“The care you provide to our patients continues to be an important component to our team,” said Whittemore. “Not only are we fortunate to have such a dedicated group, but you also continue to expand and define the role of the PAs.”