Who Is the PA at Your Orthopedic Visit? What Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners Do at OACM

A man in his early fifties reads an appointment confirmation from an orthopedic physician assistant on his phone at a warmly lit kitchen table

You booked the appointment to see the surgeon. The person who walks in, examines your shoulder, orders the X-ray, reads it with you, and lays out the plan has “PA-C” after their name: an orthopedic physician assistant. It is a fair moment to wonder who you are talking to and whether you are getting the visit you came for.

October 6 to 12 is PA Week, so here is a plain answer. Below you will find what a physician assistant is, what a nurse practitioner is, what both of them do at an orthopedic practice like ours, and why seeing one is often the fastest route to the care you need.

Watch: What Is a Physician Assistant (PA)? Orthopedics, with Kristin Thomas, PA-C

What an orthopedic physician assistant is

According to the American Academy of Physician Associates, PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. They take medical histories, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, prescribe medication, and perform procedures.

The training is a master’s-level program of roughly 27 months with more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations, on top of a bachelor’s degree and, for most, prior hands-on healthcare work. After graduating, a PA must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. The “-C” in PA-C means that certification is current.

Many of our PAs came to the profession by way of another one. Aaron Shakespeare, PA-C, was an orthopedic physical therapist first and has worked with Dr. Sam Sydney since 2002. Sean McGiveron, PA-C, and John Strawley, PA-C, both started at OACM in other roles, as a medical assistant and a medical scribe, and came back as PAs after graduate school. Kristin Thomas, PA-C, was an athletic trainer and an orthopedic technician before PA school.

What a nurse practitioner is

Nurse practitioners take a different road to a similar place. NPs are registered nurses who go on to complete a master’s or doctoral degree and advanced clinical training, hold national board certification, and can order and interpret tests and prescribe medications. In Maryland the title is certified registered nurse practitioner, or CRNP.

At OACM, Emily Holloway, CRNP, works with Dr. Michael DeMarco on spine and pain management after six years as an orthopaedic, trauma, and spine nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Maria Lacson, CRNP, brings more than 24 years of nursing experience to foot and ankle care with Dr. Marc Lipton and Dr. Hayden Hoffler.

What an orthopedic physician assistant does day to day

At OACM, every orthopedic physician assistant and nurse practitioner is paired with a surgeon or physician and works inside that specialty. Carolina Johnson, PA-C, works with Dr. Brian Janz on hand and elbow. Michael Miller, PA-C, works with Dr. Ke Xie on hip and knee replacement. Morgan Tuomey, PA-C, works with Dr. Khurram Pervaiz on the upper extremity. Lynn Hendrickson, PA-C, works with Dr. Oren Blam on the spine. Day to day, that looks like:

  • Seeing you for new problems, follow-ups, and post-operative checks
  • Examining the joint, ordering imaging, and going over the results with you
  • Injections, casting, splinting, and suture removal
  • Assisting in the operating room with the surgeon they work alongside
  • Coordinating physical therapy, bracing, and the next step in your plan

Jordan Nalls, PA-C, describes his role this way on his profile: “I work alongside Dr. Zade to evaluate and treat a wide range of sports medicine and orthopedic conditions in both the clinic and operating room.”

The pairing is the point. When you see Michael Miller for a knee replacement follow-up, you are seeing someone who spent eight years with a high-volume hip and knee surgeon before joining Dr. Xie, and who was in the operating room for cases like yours. Nothing about that visit is a step down.

Why you may see an orthopedic physician assistant instead of the surgeon

Surgeons operate. On the days they are in the operating room, the clinic still needs to run. An orthopedic physician assistant or nurse practitioner makes it possible for a practice with twelve locations to see new injuries promptly and keep post-operative checks on schedule.

The surgeon is not out of the loop. The PA or NP works from the same chart, reviews the same imaging, and brings the surgeon in when the plan calls for it. When surgery is the answer, the PA you saw in clinic is often the person assisting in the OR and the one you see for follow-up afterward.

Meet the team this week

During PA Week we are introducing every PA and nurse practitioner on the OACM team on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Each of them is also on our provider directory.

Schedule at our Columbia, Catonsville, Eldersburg, or Fulton clinic

Whether your visit is with a surgeon, a PA, or a nurse practitioner, it starts the same way. Call (410) 644-1880 or schedule online.

Frequently asked questions

Is a PA a doctor?
No. PAs and NPs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine as part of a physician-led team. They diagnose, treat, prescribe, and perform procedures within their specialty.
Can I ask to see the surgeon instead?
Yes, always. If you would rather see the physician, say so when you book. It may mean a later appointment date.
Will a PA do my surgery?
No. Surgeons perform surgery. PAs assist in the operating room and manage much of the care before and after.
What is the difference between a PA and an NP?
Both are advanced practice clinicians with graduate degrees and national certification. PAs train in a medical model across all specialties. NPs train in a nursing model and build on prior experience as registered nurses. At OACM they fill similar roles on the care team.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a qualified orthopedic provider about your specific symptoms and medical history. To schedule an appointment with Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, call (410) 644-1880 or visit mdbonedocs.com.