National Physician Assistant Week ran from October 6 to October 12 this year, and it was a time for us to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of PAs across the country. At Sunshine Community Health Center, we felt incredibly proud to have our three Physician Assistants paving the way for community health at both of our facilities. Their dedication to patient care and commitment to enhancing community wellness are invaluable assets to our organization.
Meet Our Amazing PAs
Shaina Ahles, PA
Shaina completed her Biology degree at Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, TN, from 2013 to 2017. She then moved to Dayton, OH, to earn her Master of Physician Assistant degree at Kettering College, which she completed in 2019. Driven by a passion for maintaining the health and wellness of her community, Shaina makes a significant impact every day.
In her personal time, Shaina enjoys all the seasons Alaska offers with her husband, a pilot and mechanic. They both love the outdoors and spend as much time in nature as possible. Shaina is especially passionate about mountain biking, skiing, hiking, fishing, and backpacking. When she isn’t exploring the great outdoors, she loves spending time reading, gardening, and quilting.
Jenelle Johnson, PA-C
Jenelle completed her Medical Assisting certification with the Career Academy in 2009 and continued her studies, earning a B.A. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Alaska in 2013. She finished her M.S. in Clinical Health Services, Physician Assistant Studies, at the University of Washington in 2019.
Throughout her training, Jenelle completed rotations in family practice, OB/GYN, dermatology, emergency medicine, and more. Her board certifications included Medical Laboratory Scientist - American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and Physician Assistant - National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Jenelle had special interests in women's health, OB/GYN, pediatrics, behavioral health, and substance abuse recovery.
Recently, Jenelle made a huge impact on a local Alaskan family, providing care that exemplified her commitment to her patients. You can read more about it in our blog post here.
Keith Kehoe, PA
Keith completed his B.S. in Biology at Illinois Benedictine College in 1983 and received his Physician Assistant certification from the University of Washington/MEDEX in 1995. He worked in various settings, both remote and urban, as well as in England and Scotland, providing urgent care and family practice. Keith’s cumulative experience at Sunshine CHC spanned 20 years, making him a cornerstone of our team. Outside of work, he enjoyed beekeeping and woodworking.
The Role of Physician Assistants in Community Health
Physician Assistants (PAs) played a critical role in healthcare, serving as vital links between patients and physicians. They were trained to provide a wide range of medical services, including diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, and conducting examinations. In community health centers, PAs helped expand access to care and improve health outcomes, ensuring that patients received the attention they needed when they needed it most.
Shout Outs to Our PAs
As we celebrated National Physician Assistant Week, we wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to our PAs for their incredible contributions:
Stephanie Stanley-Harrell, Human Resources Director: "I SO AGREE! THANK YOU WONDERFUL PAs!!!!"
Paul Forman, MD, Chief Medical Officer: "Thank you, Keith, Jenelle, and Shaina for all the great care you provided to our Sunshine patients! You are all great providers and an important part of our Sunshine team!"
Duronda Twigg, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer: "Happy PA week! I am honored to work with all of you!"
A Lasting Impact
PAs are essential in enhancing community health and expanding access to quality care. According to the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), there are over 155,000 PAs in the United States, and they provide care in nearly every medical specialty. PAs are known for their patient-centered approach, often leading to higher patient satisfaction and better health outcomes.
As we recognized National Physician Assistant Week, we expressed our gratitude for the vital role our PAs played in the health of our community. Thank you, Shaina, Jenelle, and Keith, for your unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care!
Sunshine Community Health Center
1-907-376-2273 (PANGANGALAGA)
*This article was written with the support of AI*