Bellin Health employee honored by Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants

Bart Miller, PA-C of Green Bay Named 2015 Wisconsin Physician Assistant of the Year

Kimberly, WI – At its annual Awards Banquet and celebration of PA week last week in Elkhart Lake, WI, the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA) recognized an outstanding physician assistant for his significant contribution in offering patients with access to high quality and cost-effective health care. The 2015 PA of the Year Award was presented to Bart Miller, a physician assistant at Bellin Health Family Medical Center/Clinica Hispaña in Green Bay.

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, and bolsters workforce development by educating potential future PAs.

“We are thrilled to honor Bart Miller as Wisconsin’s 2015 PA of the Year Award,” says Jean Fischer, MPAS, PA-C, chair of the selection committee. “We received many outstanding nominations this year, and after a difficult time narrowing the field, we selected Bart, an extremely deserving individual for the honor.”

Mr. Miller, a bilingual provider whose specific areas of clinical interest include pediatrics and ENT, has worked with Bellin’s Clinica Hispaña clinic for over five years. In addition to his patient care duties, he shares his knowledge openly and with enthusiasm by mentoring PA students on clinical rotations.

In his practice, Mr. Miller cares for patients with often medically complex cases in a setting further complicated by educational, social and language barriers. His attitude always remains positive and his outlook encouraging. He was nominated for the award by his supervising physician, Jo Watson, MD, who writes, “Bart is not flashy. He does not self-promote. He is not achievement-driven. Day to day, however, he exhibits all that is excellent, honorable and compassionate in the practice of medicine.”

In accepting his award, Mr. Miller shared a few personal remarks. “I’m not doing anything special, but I’m a part of something special. PAs are truly special. It takes a special person to work in healthcare today. I love being a PA. It is the greatest decision I’ve ever made.”

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.