PAs play an increasingly vital role as front-line healthcare providers. It is important for our patients to know that, regardless of whether you see a PA or our physicians, here at South Coast Gynecologic Oncology, Inc. you are being treated by a highly educated, well trained healthcare provider who places you, the patient, at the center of their care.

A physician assistant-certified (PA-C) is a graduate of an accredited physician assistant educational program who has undergone testing by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. PA-Cs are state-licensed to practice medicine with a supervising physician. A physician assistant is a member of a medical team that includes doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Commonly called a PA, these individuals provide primary medical services.

Sometimes a PA is incorrectly called a physician’s assistant, implying that they assist a doctor instead of being a primary care provider. While PAs must be supervised by doctors, they don’t have to be on the premises of the medical facility while the PA is working with a patient.

Some confuse physician assistants with medical assistants, but they’re very different. A PA is a primary care provider with a master’s degree, while a medical assistant performs basic clinical tasks and may have a certificate from a post-secondary program.

With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality.