Not pictured: PAs Ella Besserer, Ismat Zeeshan and Kyle Stroomer
On November 27, Canadians celebrate National Physician Assistant Day, which recognizes the physician assistant (PA) profession and its contributions to health care in Canada. Working alongside physicians and other health professionals, PAs are having a positive impact on many aspects of health care from emergency room wait times, access to primary care, the quality of seniors care and access to health care in rural communities.
This year, we connected with Brett Glena, who works in the Emergency Department, to learn more about the profession.
Why did you decide to become a physician assistant?
I have wanted to help people since I was a child, but wasn’t sure the best avenue for me to do so. Once I heard about the PA profession, I knew it was perfect for me. I get to help patients and decrease the burden on our health care system, while being able to maintain a work-life balance that fits with my busy day-to-day life.
Tell us about your role in the ED.
In the Emergency Department, I work with the physicians to aid them in attending to more patients. I also work directly with nurses, clerks, support workers, and other medical professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team to help the department run smoothly, improving wait times and patient experience.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to assist patients with their medical issues. Whether it is figuring out a difficult diagnosis or coming up with a treatment plan with the patient, knowing I helped them makes coming to work everyday more than worth it!
What would you tell someone looking to pursue a career as a physician assistant?
I would tell them that physician assistants help to improve our health care system by aiding physicians in seeing more patients, and that it is a rewarding career that I could not recommend more. I would then advise that they look into which of the schools offering a physician assistant program works best for them and to apply, as the field is only growing.
Join us in celebrating our PAs and thanking them for their important and life-saving contributions. Learn more about the profession by visiting the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants website.