Degree: Mrs. Rogde received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant
Practice in June, 1998 from Finch University of Health Services
the Chicago Medical School PA Program in North Chicago.
Background: She grew up in
Bolingbrook and received her undergraduate degree in Medical
Technology from Illinois State University. She worked for six
years at Loyola Medical Center as a medical
technologist before returning to school. What is a Physician Assistant?Physician
Assistants (PAs) are licensed health professionals who practice
medicine with physician supervision. As part of the physician/PA
team, PAs exercise autonomy in diagnosing and treating
illnesses. PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical
services to diverse populations in both rural and urban settings
throughout the United States. Their focus in patient care, and
their practice may include education, research, and
administrative activities. In most states, PAs can treat
patients when the physician is away from the practice and can
write prescriptions.
The role of
the PA:
PAs are
highly skilled professionals educated to use the same medical
procedures as their physician counterparts. For example, PAs
take medical histories, perform physical examinations, diagnose
and treat illnesses, order and interpret laboratory tests,
perform minor surgery and in most states prescribe medications.
PAs practice in virtually every medical specialty - from family
medicine to surgery. Before PAs
may practice, graduates of accredited PA programs must pass a
single national certification exam developed by the National
Board of Medical Examiners and administered by the National
Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Only those
individuals with current certification may use the designation
Physician Assistant-Certified or PA-C.
To maintain
certification, PAs must earn 100 hours of continuing medical
education every two years and sit for a recertification exam
every six years.
