2016 PA of the year announced

Ascension Employee honored by WAPA

Kimberly, WI – At its annual Awards Dinner and celebration of PA week earlier this month in Elkhart Lake, WI, the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA) recognized Jeffrey Baranek with the 2016 PA of the Year Award.

Baranek, a cardiovascular PA with Ascension Wheaton Heart & Vascular in Milwaukee, completed the University of Wisconsin-Madison PA program in 1988. He began his career by returning to his home community in southeast Wisconsin where he worked in solo practice for nearly 20 years before taking an employed position within a large health system. He is actively involved in educating PA students, something he encourages every PA to do. In addition to mentoring, he has also taken on important leadership roles within his organization.

Baranek admits he sees many challenges on the horizon for PAs working for large health systems, especially related to PA hiring and the proper representation of PA interests. However, he also he also sees expanding opportunities for PAs to care for patients.

Patients find Baranek to have great compassion, care and intellect, and they appreciate his willingness to take the time to really listen and to share information. Colleagues appreciate his strong communication skills, detailed and thoughtful notes, willingness to discuss complex cases and new literature, and most importantly, the excellent care that he provides to patients.

The PA of the Year Award annually honors an outstanding physician assistant who demonstrates leadership and 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. “Many outstanding nominations were received this year, and after a difficult time narrowing the field, we selected Jeff, an extremely deserving individual for the honor,” says Jean Fischer, MPAS, PA-C, who served on the selection committee and presented the award.

Deb Standridge, Regional President of the North Region for Ascension Wisconsin, served as the keynote presenter at the awards dinner. Deb oversees 12 hospitals across a diverse geography from Steven’s Point to Eagle River, and represents a continuum of care from tertiary hospitals in metro areas to critical access hospitals in rural communities. She spoke of the increasingly critical role PAs have on the team of healthcare providers, and the importance of collaboration.

PAs 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.