Banner Medical Clinic welcomes new physician assistant
Michelle Hunter, PA-C
TORRINGTON, Wyo. (July 8, 2009) - Michelle K. Hunter, physician assistant, loves her new practice at Banner Medical Clinic. After working for the last six years at an urgent care clinic in Scottsbluff, Neb., she says she is excited to be able to provide continuity of care. “I was tired of saying ‘follow up with your doctor in a week’,“ Hunter says. “I wanted to be able to say ‘follow up with me in a week’, and then be able to follow the care of my patients. I also wanted the balance of acute and chronic medicine, which I have at Banner Medical Clinic.”
Hunter grew up in North Platte, Neb., and received her bachelor of science in psychology at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She then went on to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., and received her master of physician assistant (PA) studies.
Physician assistant students follow the same model of training as doctors. They take similar classes, but schooling is compressed into two and a half years. Physician assistants take national board exams for certification, take continuing medical education on a two-year cycle, and then retake the board exam every six years. Physician assistants work under a supervising physician. Hunter’s supervising physician at Banner Medical Clinic is Marion Smith, MD.
As she was growing up, Hunter always wanted to go into the medical field, and felt the need to help people. “I think medicine is fascinating,” Hunter says. “New things are found all of the time.” Hunter first considered being a nurse or doctor, before settling on a career as a physician assistant. “I felt a PA was a good compromise for me.”
Hunter says. “I needed to be able to balance career and family.” Hunter and her husband, David, have two children: Son Matthew, 3, and daughter Danielle, 10 months. Another contributing factor in her decision is that as a PA, she is able to spend more time with the patients.
Hunter says she is looking forward to being able to provide preventative care and help her patients get ahead of chronic illnesses, especially for the diabetes and hypertension patients whose health she will help manage. “I love it here,” Hunter says. “The nurses, doctors, staff and patients have been so receptive and welcoming. I look forward to providing care in this community.”
For an appointment with Hunter, please call Banner Medical Clinic at 307-532-2107.
Banner Medical Clinic professionals pride themselves on providing excellent medical care to residents in southeast Wyoming and bordering Nebraska communities. We strive to care for our patients, their families and friends as neighbors would, with thoughtfulness and respect.
Banner Health, a nonprofit hospital system based in Phoenix, owns and operates 22 hospitals and health care facilities in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming.
