Magdalena (Maggie) Johana Klein, PA-C, who works for Dr. J. Michael Bennett and the Fondren Orthopedic Group, is one of only 240 certified physician assistants (PA-Cs) nationally to recently earn a specialty credential called a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Maggie was awarded a CAQ in Orthopaedic Surgery, a distinction earned by meeting licensure, education and experience requirements and then passing an exam in the specialty. She is one of only 52 certified PAs in Texas and approximately 800 nationally to earn a CAQ since the program’s inception in 2011.
“Certified PAs are in high demand because they are valued as medical providers who deliver quality care to the patients they serve,” says Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PA-C, president and CEO of NCCPA. “Now in addition to their primary certification, PAs in seven specialties can also earn a CAQ as an objective assessment of their specialty knowledge and skills. This combined with their general medical education are just two of the many reasons that demand for PAs is increasing in every clinical setting and specialty area.”
CAQs are offered to certified PAs in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopaedic surgery, nephrology and psychiatry, and for the first time in 2014, hospital medicine and pediatrics.
Certified PAs are licensed and certified health care professionals who practice medicine. Certified PAs can take histories, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventative health care, assist in surgery, perform a variety of procedures and write prescriptions.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Popular culture gives a dangerous edge to the idea of shooting lasers into your body. In fact, modern medicine uses laser light to heal. Multiwave locked system (MLS) lasers can ease pain and inflammation for a variety of injuries and conditions.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a simple and effective treatment that accelerates your body’s natural healing powers and may be able to quickly get you back to doing the things you love. Here’s what to expect from your first treatment.
When you have no desire to undergo surgery, but you’re more than ready to be rid of chronic tendon pain, the Tenex Health TX™ procedure may be your best option. Learn how this minimally invasive technology eliminates the source of chronic pain.
Do you have joint pain from a sports injury or arthritis? You may be a candidate for orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic surgery can relieve you of your pain and get you back to the activities you enjoy.
Your shoulder joint is highly flexible, placing it at a higher risk of instability and injury. While many shoulder injuries can be rehabilitated with therapy, sometimes you need surgery. Learn about five of the most common shoulder surgeries.
Whether you’re actually an avid tennis player or you’ve developed tennis elbow another way, there are nonsurgical solutions that can help relieve your pain.
