Barbara Ann Elias, MS, PA-C
Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C)
Regional West Medical Center
Scottsbluff, NE
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS has been a reliable source of up-to-date information and guidelines to assist in providing excellent patient care.
As an Affiliated Professional Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
I always value Patient Education resources and am pleased to have access to handouts for Spanish-speaking patients. I also enjoy the online CME opportunities.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best advice I ever received: Treat others the way you would like yourself, family members and friends to be treated. You will never go wrong if you adhere to this simple rule. I am not exactly sure who initially imparted these words of wisdom, but it has been a constant theme throughout my career. It is something that I have shared with students and new PA's throughout the years.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I feel very strongly about the MD/PA team approach. I simply try to do whatever possible to allow the team to be productive. Sometimes that means staying in the clinic while my supervising physician is in Surgery, seeing consults, and closing while the surgeon dictates his operative note and/or putting in postop orders. I will do whatever it takes to allow our team to take care of patients in an effective, efficient manner.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
I am trying to get myself accustomed to using Dragon technology. I am so used to simply typing notes, but want to become more efficient.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
I enjoy long-distance running and am currently training for a 100-mile run, I enjoy being outside and observing nature, especially birds and other wildlife. I also enjoy watching movies.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I have had a variety of jobs, especially prior to PA School. I worked as a Security Guard/EMT at American Express and McDonnell Douglas in the early to mid 90's. I also worked at a Great Harvest Bakery in Salt Lake City , UT during this same period of time. I helped in all aspects of operations including kneading bread, washing pots and pans, mixing dough for sourdough bread and working the front counter. These were jobs to supplement different positions I held in a local hospital. I held many different medically related jobs prior to PA school including: EKG Technician, Cardiac Rehabilitation Therapist, Phlebotomist, ICU Technician, EMT at Snowbird Ski Resort and EMT/ED Technician. All of these jobs provided valuable experience prior to PA School.