We treat underlying medical conditions and evaluate the patients in both intensive care and the units from a surgical perspective. When I received my few seconds of applause at the ACS meeting, I proudly received it as an embrace for my profession, not myself. In fact, the surgeons I have spoken with perceive surgical PAs to be living and thriving partners in surgery. We are invited to their receptions, enter into deep dialogue with their senior leaders, and have the ability to positively influence their reception of the PA profession. Surgical PAs working in a specialty awaken each morning feeling like members of the team.
Surgeons traditionally embrace PAs as a full member of the team.
It has taken many years to achieve that distinction. Remember that our role is more extensive than placing clamps and suturing wounds. A novice can shadow a cardiovascular PA in his duties in the operating room, intensive care unit, and postoperative unit and appreciate their scope of practice. As a surgical PA cares for patients in the OR, cardiac ICU, and surgical unit, it is humbling to notice that this PA is functioning from the pinnacle of knowledge. This example can be shared with other specialists who perform their skills on a daily basis.