POCN Announces 2023 America’s Top Physician Associates to Celebrate National PA Week

POCN’s annual America’s Top PA Awards recognizes the impact physician associates have on their patients and their quality of care

BOONTON, N.J. – October 9, 2023 – According to a 2023 Harris Poll, 88% of U.S. adults say physician associates (PAs) improve the quality of healthcare. With PAs making such a notable difference in their patients’ care, POCN, the largest PA and nurse practitioner (NP) network in the United States, honors those making an exceptional impact in healthcare, health outcomes, and in PA-peer support.

Today, POCN announces the winners of its 2023 America’s Top PA Awards. This annual award recognizes PAs who go above and beyond in specific areas, including patient care and advancement in patient treatment, peer support and leadership within the PA/NP community, and care for underserved communities.

The winners were nominated by their peers for their significant contributions to healthcare and their profession. The 2023 recipients highlight a cross section of the best of the profession, providers in leadership roles amongst AAPAs, vocal advocates for the PA profession, and past or present leaders of medical societies.

POCN and the PA community at large are thrilled to honor this year’s recipients:

  • Raquelle Akavan, MS, PA-C, Surgery and PA Education
  • Sonia Bahroo, PA-C, Endocrinology
  • Karlijn Burridge, PA-C, MMS, FOMA, Obesity Medicine
  • Brittany Johnson, PA-C, Internal Medicine
  • Jacqueline Kernaghan, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, Bone Health
  • Amy Ladewski, PA-C, RD, MMS, Gastroenterology
  • Charles Lim, MS, PA-C, Interventional Radiology
  • Benito Lopez, BC-ADM, DMSc, PA-C, Endocrinology
  • Melanie Lucks, PA-C, Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Ken Mitchell, MPAS, PA-C, Urology and Men’s Health
  • Jennifer Orozco, DMSc, PA-C, Leadership and Advocacy
  • Sarah Patel, DScPAs, PA-C, MBA, Gastroenterology
  • Kris Pyles-Sweet, DMSc, PA-C, Dermatology
  • Laura Ross, PA-C, MS, CLS, Dip ACLM, AACC, Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Sarah Sagorsky, MPAS- PA-C, Oncology
  • Amanda Stanton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, Colon and Rectal Surgery

“We believe a key aspect of any professional community must center around recognition for those making the biggest impact in the PA profession” says Richard Zwickel, Founder and CEO of POCN. “I offer my congratulations to this year’s winners for their outstanding leadership among their peers and their dedication to furthering the standard of patient care.”

Winners of 2023 America’s Top PA Awards will receive:

  • $150 toward the professional membership of their choice
  • Recognition and press exposure in healthcare media, including on POCN social media and web properties (such as videos on POCN+ and POCN.com)
  • Ability to serve as an advisor to POCN and POCN partners, helping to advance educational programs in support of the PA community

“It’s wonderful to see my colleagues, who are not only making an impact in their respective fields, but also championing awareness to the PA profession, get celebrated within our community,” said ATPA winner Karlijn Burridge, PA-C who serves as the President of PAs in Obesity Medicine. “I’m honored to be included with this impressive group of individuals.”

POCN’s mission is to bring PAs and NPs together to network, share ideas, and create a strong foundation of providers. To learn more about POCN and its programs, visit: https://www.pocn.com.

About POCN

POCN, the largest network of PAs and NPs, is a trusted source for over 400,000 PAs/NPs who have opted-in to be informed about opportunities to network with peers, support and shape PA/NP education, learn the latest healthcare news, find earning opportunities including their next jobs, and access resources to improve patient outcomes. Traditionally, the physician community has received the majority of funding and resourcing, resulting in an underappreciation of the PA/NP community. POCN recognizes the need to advocate, support, and educate PAs and NPs. The organization does this through data and support services. For more information, visit www.pocn.com.

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