Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners
At Ortho Illinois, we utilize a team approach that allows for the highest quality service and treatment. For most of our physicians, an integral part of their team is a certified physician assistant (PA-C) or a nurse practitioner (NP).
As part of the physician team, PAs and NPs have completed advance education in medical training and must pass national licensing exams to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative healthcare services.
They are qualified to take medical histories, examine patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, make diagnoses, and serve as first assist for surgical procedures.
PAs and NPs may attend patients at pre- and post-operative appointments to provide education and follow-up. They can provide care services such as suturing and splinting, may order rehabilitation therapy, and may prescribe medications. NPs may provide even more independent diagnoses and treatments.
If you receive care from a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner you can feel confident you are in skilled hands.
What is a Physician Assistant?
A physician assistant (PA) is licensed a healthcare provider that may practice medicine under the direct supervision of a physician. Each has attended an accredited educational program that includes classroom and clinical rotation medical training. Upon completion of formal training a PA must pass a national exam developed and governed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and once the exam is passed the PA becomes “certified,” or a PA-C.
Ortho Illinois PA-Cs include:
- Adam Mollsen, PA-C
- Amanda Kroymann, PA-C, ATC
- Brian Mulder, FNP-BC
- Brittany Bennett, PA-C
- Carlie Combs, PA-C
- Chelsea Thomas, PA-C
- Christina Tortorici, PA-C
- Clayton Lewis, PA-C
- Emily Kaempfer, PA-C
- Colin Broderick, PA-C
- Dan Jameson, PA-C
- Donald Kuick, PA-C
- Francie Kelso, PA-C
- Idalia Zachara, PA-C
- Jason Kadar, PA-C
- Jennifer Santacaterina, PA-C
- John Holbrook, PA-C
- Joe Maroney, PA-C
- John Moore, PA-C, ATC
- Kristian Green PA-C
- Marie Rivers, PA-C
- Michael Finigan, PA-C
- Michael Gilbertson, PA-C
- Michael Weedman, PA-C
- Matthew Schwabero, MSBS, PA-C
- Nicholas McKeown, PA-C
- Sabrina Miller, PA-C
- Sean Soare, PA-C
- Sage Norwood, PA-C
- Stephanie Leverentz, PA-C
- Tim Gilbertson, MPAS, PA-C
- Valerie McCannon, PA-C
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (APRN) is a registered nurse who has undergone advance clinical training and completed a master’s or doctoral degree program beyond registered nurse training. This training is followed by a rigorous certification process and APRNs undergo periodic peer review and clinical outcome evaluations while also completing ongoing continued learning and professional development training.
Nurse practitioners may work autonomously or in collaboration with a physician and may independently evaluate, diagnose, treat, educate and prescribe for a wide range of preventative and acute healthcare services without the direct oversight of a physician. APRN’s emphasize the health and well-being of the whole person and work to guide patients with health promotion, disease prevention, and health education to improve overall health and lifestyle.
You can learn about APRN training, qualifications and more at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners website.
Ortho Illinois nurse practitioners include:
- Brian Mulder, FNP-BC
- Tammy Carlson, APRN
- Tori Homb, NP
- Kasondra LaMere, AGNP-C, RNFA
- Kelsey Montana, FNP-C
- Ted Peterson, APRN, FNP-BC