WAPA honors 2 physician assistants

For Immediate Release

October 10, 2014

Contact: Sally Winkelman

WAPA honors two physician assistants

Lindsey Kulbacki, PA-C and Sarah Misustin, PA-C are named Wisconsin PA of the Year

Kimberly, WI – At its annual Awards Banquet and celebration of PA week this week in Stevens Point, the Wisconsin Academy Physician Assistants (WAPA) recognized two PAs for their significant contribution in offering patients with access to high quality and cost-effective health care. The 2014 honor of PA of the Year was awarded to both Lindsey Kulbacki, a PA at Bellin Health Generations and Gynecologic Oncology teams in Green Bay, and Sarah Misustin, the inpatient PA on the Breast, Pancreas and Endocrine Service in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital.

The PA of the Year award annually honors an outstanding physician assistant who demonstrates excellence in service to patients and the community, promotes awareness of the PA’s role in healthcare to the general public, and bolsters workforce development by educating potential future PAs.

Ms. Kulbacki was nominated by her colleagues at Bellin, for her drive, motivation and attention to detail. She was instrumental in developing the first Department of GYN-Oncology for Bellin Health. She trained to assist with radical pelvic cancer surgeries of all types. Behind the scenes, she assisted with the creation of pre and post-operative order sets and templates for documentation of consultations for gynecologic cancer patients. Lindsey developed her own GYN-Oncology surveillance program and sees follow-up patients independently, serving as a thoughtful and important connection between patients and referring providers. She developed one of Wisconsin’s first Survivorship Programs for GYN-Oncology and has spoken widely about both the program, as well as robotic surgery, one of her areas of special interest. According to her nomination Lindsey is recognized throughout the system for her cheerfulness, excellence, and compassion for her patients.

Ms. Misustin was the first PA in General Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin and through example, has led the college to employ more surgical PAs. She developed informational patient education brochures for pancreatic cancer patients and conducts extensive research work on pain control in for these patients. She teaches PA students about breast cancer care and promotes the many options available to PAs. Both in and out of the operating room, she cares for her patients and proactively works to educate patients, residents and students alike. According to her nomination, submitted by colleagues at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, she is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team with energy, enthusiasm and a genuine concern for others.

“We are thrilled to honor both Lindsey and Sarah with the 2014 PA of the Year Award,” says Jean Fischer, MPAS, PA-C, chair of the selection committee. “We received nearly twenty outstanding nominations this year, and after a difficult time narrowing the field, we selected these two extremely deserving individuals for the honor.”

Physician assistants play an increasingly critical role on the team of healthcare workers providing patient care. Physician assistants are medically trained and licensed to provide high quality health care, treat illnesses, plan prevention strategies, and write prescriptions. PAs practice medicine as part of a physician-directed medical team, and are making health care more accessible every day.

Established in 1976, the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA) provides comprehensive advocacy for the PA profession. Representing over 1,000 members, WAPA works to advance careers for current and future PAs, and enhance patient care by promoting awareness and education of the physician assistant’s integral role on the healthcare team. WAPA is a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.