10/07/2023

PA Week Spotlight: Amita Joshi, PA-C

Happy PA Week, October 6-12, 2023!

OAPA is celebrating the growth of our PA community as it gets wider and more diverse every year. We cherish the value that PAs bring to the table and recognize the unique contributions each PA makes to health care landscape across Ohio.

Today we feature an interview with Amita Joshi, PA-C, who practices in Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic.

1. What does PA week mean to you?

PA week for me means-that time of the year where the nation celebrates and appreciates the "amazing work" i.e "quality and comprehensive Care" that PAs offers in various fields of healthcare. It's the time to reflect and learn and feel proud to be a PA-whose services are fast transforming the delivery of healthcare in our nation.

2. What is your favorite part of being a PA?

My favorite part is I get to spend meaningful time with patients, listening, and collaborating to provide excellent care. I love the fact that my services increase access to healthcare.

3. Do you currently take students or train other PAs?

I have switched jobs recently and do not know my employer policy at this time. I did take in a student for 4 weeks last year.

4. What was your journey like to your current position?

It was a long journey as I was an international medical graduate in India first. Then I practiced as a neurologist and had to go through the whole process all over again consisting of undergraduate studies, volunteering hours, and shadowing hours before I could apply to PA school in the US. But the journey was a journey towards being a better person and gave me an opportunity to understand my wonderful community in a much better way. As I reflect back I would say the long journey made me a better provider.

5. Why do you love your current work in Neurology?

All my working life I have worked in Neurology and I love what I do. And, after working for 16 plus years I have witnessed the new techniques, medications, therapies change lives. This is the best time to work in Neurology!

6. How does practicing in Neurology improve patient care?

Working in neurology means working with significantly elderly people. About 16% of our communities are elderly people and providing PA services helps improve access to care for our elderly. Being a woman with a history of migraine headaches helps me understand and care for my headache patients in a better way.

7. How has your role changed throughout your assignment?

I am a 2020 graduate and I remain independent in my practice, since i first started working in 2020.

8. What do you see changing in the PA profession within the next 5 to 10 years?

The PA profession is growing fast and is expected to open 10,000 plus openings each year, which is much faster than average for all occupations. I see it coming closer to the number 1 position for the STEM jobs category.