AAPA News Central

A Day in the Life of a PA in Outpatient Obstetrics and Gynecology

Melissa Rodriguez, DMSc, PA-C

PA Melissa Rodriguez is Passionate About OBGYN and All Aspects of Women’s Health

December 6, 2021

By Melissa Rodriguez, DMSc, PA-C

President of the Association of Physician Assistants in OB-GYN, APAOG, Melissa Rodriguez, DMSc, PA-C, encourages PAs to consider specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN). Here she describes her passion for obstetrics, gynecology, and women’s health, and what a day in her practice looks like.

Obstetrics has been my passion since I can remember. Caring for women during their pregnancies and bringing life to this world was the only career I ever considered seriously. My initial goal was to go to medical school and become an obstetrician and so my college track was pre-medicine. Then, while working as a medical assistant in urology, I met PA Elizabeth Rothstein. She was smart, well-rounded, practiced in different medical specialties, and had a breadth of knowledge. It was refreshing to see a competent and humble provider who connected so easily with patients of all backgrounds. It was a different breed of medical provider with pure compassion and versatility.

I immediately researched all things PA related, joined the AAPA, and began my transition. I remember being asked about my career goals before graduation from Hunter College (CUNY) and I was excited to share that I was going to be a PA and, one day, be president of the AAPA. My faculty advisor had no idea what a PA was, and I could feel the condescension. I vowed then to advocate for this profession full force so that everyone can see how fantastic these PA providers can be.

The day I received my acceptance letter to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University), I was ecstatic and called my mother first. I remember her voicing her congratulations and then sharing the news that my aunt had brain cancer. In that moment of shock, I was devastated but had a newfound resolution to become a PA and be trained as a generalist that allows me to be knowledgeable and transition into any specialty. Within three grueling and amazing years, I earned my master’s in science degree and began my first job as an OBGYN PA.

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AAPA | Two-Year Pilot Leads to New Testing Format

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) announced on December 1 that beginning in 2023, they will offer a new alternative to the traditional PANRE recertification exam: PANRE-LA, a take-at-home test which incorporates elements of longitudinal assessment. The announcement follows four years of research, discussion and a two-year pilot program that involved participation from 18,000 PAs (physician associates/physician assistants), according to NCCPA.

“AAPA’s Board of Directors remains committed to working with NCCPA on issues facing the profession and modernizing PA practice,” said AAPA President and Chair of the Board, Jennifer M. Orozco, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA.

The Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI) has opened the public comment period for the following draft recommendations: Contraception and Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection. Public comment is an opportunity for broad public input that increases the transparency and quality of our program. The comment period for draft recommendations is October 27 – November 24, 2021. For timeliness, all comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT on the final day of the comment period.

Comment Today

After this public comment opportunity, the Multidisciplinary Steering Committee will review the public comments submitted. The final draft recommendations will be submitted to the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for review and inclusion under the Health Resources and Services Administration-supported Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines.

Registration for AAPA 2022 opens on October 27, 2021 with "Super Early Bird" pricing being available from Oct 27 - Nov 30. This is the cheapest you will pay! 

Click here for more information.

JAAPA | Salzer, Elizabeth A.J. DMSc, PA-C, NYSAFE, C-EFM

Abstract

Premenopausal transgender men who retain internal female reproductive organs, who use exogenous testosterone, and who are sexually active with cisgender men are often capable of conception. This article discusses the potential for fecundity in transgender men, as well as appropriate reproductive care depending on whether the patient prefers to avoid conception or to become pregnant.

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JAAPA | Conlon, J. Leocadia PhD, MPH, PA-C; Malcolm, Sharyn MD, MPH, FAAP; Monaghan, Maureen PhD

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism, is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. Early diagnosis can help clinicians address associated long-term metabolic and reproductive health complications and mitigate the negative effects of PCOS on a patient's mental health and quality of life. Clinicians often are challenged by the diagnosis and management of PCOS because of controversies around diagnostic criteria, especially for adolescents. The International Consortium of Paediatric Endocrinology 2017 Consensus Statement provides practical guidance for clinicians to implement best practices for the identification, diagnosis, and management of PCOS in adolescents.

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Orlando Sentinel | Melissa Rodriguez

We all know that receiving medical care can be stressful. Whether you’re nervous about a procedure, frustrated at the wait time for an appointment, or visiting a new medical practice for the first time, navigating the health-care world can be understandably unnerving.

But PAs, or physician assistants, are here to help.

When you need health care, our goal is to be there for you. PAs are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and can serve as your obstetrics and gynecology healthcare provider. PAs improve health-care access and quality, making it easier for you to get the care you need.

October 6-12 is PA Week, which recognizes our profession and its contributions to the nation’s health. During PA Week, we hope you’ll have the chance to talk to a PA about what it is we do, and why we’re proud to do it.

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HHS | Final Rule

HHS has issued this final rule to revise the regulations that govern the Title X family planning program (authorized by Title X of the Public Health Service Act) by readopting the 2000 regulations, with several revisions to ensure access to equitable, affordable, client-centered, quality family planning services for clients, especially low-income clients.  This final rule also adds a definition of “clinical services provider”, which includes physician assistants.

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CT POST | Nora Frempong

We all know that receiving medical care can be stressful. Whether you’re nervous about a procedure, frustrated at the wait time for an appointment, or visiting a new medical practice for the first time, navigating the health care world can be understandably unnerving.

But PAs, or physician assistants, are here to help.

When you need health care, our goal is to be there for you. PAs are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and can serve as your obstetrics and gynecology health care provider. PAs improve health care access and quality, making it easier for you to get the care you need.

AAPA | Jennifer M. Orozco, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA (President)

"I do want to call your attention to something new this year, which dovetails with our ongoing work for the new PA brand. We want to know how you answer this question: What is a PA? As a PA or PA student, you are one of the profession’s most uniquely qualified ambassadors and we want to collect real PA and PA students’ answers to this essential question. Fellow and student members who submit their answers and demographic information will be eligible to win one of six prizes. Find additional details and send us your response here."