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PA4Life Blog

A collaboration of PAs, Healthcare partners, and others who want to make a difference.
Balancing life

The Transformative Power of Coaching for Physician Assistants

  During one of my clinical rotations in PA school, coaching was introduced as part of the curriculum. Initially skeptical, I was surprised by the profound impact it had on my personal and

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Addiction

Unmasking the Shadows: Recognizing and Understanding the Signs of Substance Use Disorder

Are you struggling with substances?     Or are you concerned about a healthcare partner who is struggling with substances?     Here are some signs and symptoms to watch for.  Believe it or not,

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Blog

“From Struggle to Strength: A Nurse’s Journey of Triumph Over Substance Use Disorder”

  The steel door closed as I looked out of my cold jail cell. Lonely and afraid, tears began to fall down my face. The sense of shame and guilt flushed over me.

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Balancing life

Prescription for Renewal: A Physician Assistant’s Journey to Healing Through Backpacking

  Over the past 10 years, I have spent time camping and backpacking throughout much of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. I would like to explain to you why I believe you should

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Balancing life

Are you an emotional eater? 5 tips for healthcare providers dealing with burnout and stress

It’s been another long day at work and I’m feeling more overwhelmed and exhausted than ever. I can’t help but wonder if this career was the right choice for me.    Every day

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Blog

When is it time to consult with a career coach?

Here is a question to consider: Are you feeling burned out? In my work with PAs on career issues, I’ve found that burnout is an increasing concern, even for PAs with relatively few

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Blog

Never Give Up: Maria Heavel’s fight to beat breast cancer

Today’s post with give you an inspiring update on Maria Heavel’s Cancer journey. To learn more about Maria, check out this post here, which discusses the start of her journey. I was diagnosed

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Balancing life

True Efficiency: A Tale of Balancing Work and Rest

  The story of the “Two Lumberjacks” is a simple yet indelible tale that often bounces around in my mind when I am thinking about productivity and work-life balance. According to the narrative,

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Balancing life

Frazzled and Burned out? PA mom Tracy finally decided to trust her intuition and follow her dream

Meet Tracy Hi, I’m Tracy Bingaman. I’m a multi-passionate woman who loves faith, finances, freedom, and fun. I spend my days working as a Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics PA & this year is

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Balancing life

When Breast Cancer interrupts your life: An interview with Maria Heavel

I recently had the opportunity to meet Maria Heavel in the craziest of ways. I was selling some pink shoes on Facebook Marketplace and she notified me that she would like to purchase

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Balancing life

You have control of your health and quality of life: Start today!

My life has been a series of pivotal events that have culminated in Saravit Wellness, a Telehealth clinic and community that promotes health and wellness for anyone ready to start living their best

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Addiction

My break-up with Alcohol: Finding my way back home

The party girl Growing up, I always struggled with anxiety and self-esteem issues. Socializing was hard for me because I felt out of place.  I vividly remember the first time I drank. I

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Balancing life

What I wish they had taught me in PA school

As I look back on my 16- year career as a surgical Physician Assistant, there are things that I wish would have been included in the PA educational curriculum.  These things are more

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Balancing life

Confessions of a Burnt Cookie; Creating community for healthcare providers dealing with burnout

  Hi all. My name is Laura McDowell, and I’m a burnt cookie. I’m not exactly sure how I got here. I have stress. We all have. Maybe I can blame it on

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Balancing life

The importance of pruning in leadership and life; 5 steps to personal growth and development

I don’t know about you, but pruning trees in the spring and the fall can be a daunting task.  Since I don’t do this on a regular basis, I find myself watching YouTube

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Balancing life

Kid friendly road trip planner: 15 tips for a great family road trip in 2023

Planning ahead will make your time more enjoyable and avoid conflict or crisis while you are traveling.

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holding hands, love, relationship
Balancing life

Why great marriages don’t just happen; keys to a thriving marriage

If it has been a while, then it is probably time to mix things up.

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Balancing life

One Day at a Time; how to live in the present

Do you have a hard time living in the present? If you’re as old as me, you have probably heard that song “One day at a time, sweet Jesus.”  I remember my mom

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Blog

Making a phone call has never been more difficult; Working as a Physician Assistant Hospitalist during COVID 19

(Note: This article was written in Dec 2020 when St. Louis COVID hospitalizations peaked in the region) I’m not a doomsday person, but there is not a lot of great news on the

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Balancing life

Why would a busy ER Physician Assistant start a blog? I’m glad you asked.

I am an emergency medicine physician assistant and I started this blog with the goal of helping those seeking to become a PA. I’ve been in your shoes. And it seems overwhelming. My

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Blog

Physician Assistant’s brush with death from Toxic Shock Syndrome helped him find his purpose

Are you having trouble finding “your why?” Do you find yourself having trouble finding the passion that you once had?  I sometimes need to remind myself of how Toxic Shock Syndrome helped me

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