Physician Assistants (PA)

Physician Assistants (PA) are highly-trained health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. At the Hand Center of Southwestern Ohio, PAs are an important part of our team. They conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and can write prescriptions.

PAs are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Because of the close working relationship PAs have with physicians, PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. To maintain their national certification, PAs must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for a recertification every six years. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure.

Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.

Carla Robinson MPAS,
PA-C

Originally from North Dakota, Carla Robinson earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Her previous work experience involved specializing in Orthopedic Surgery, but for the past two years, Carla has concentrated on upper extremity surgery. In her free time, she enjoys being with her two children, running, and traveling. Carla was hand selected to work with Dr. Brent Bamberger and Dr. Tim Harman at the Hand Center.