In honor of Heart Month and as we continue to spotlight APPs who have been recognized by their colleagues, we are pleased to highlight Kathleen Vasquez, a physician assistant from the division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. In his nomination letter for Excellence in Clinical Practice, Dr. Scott Lick wrote:
"Kathleen trained here as a PA 20-some years ago, and she has stayed as our CT Surgery PA ever since. She has superb operating hands and good surgical instincts. She has been a trusted first assistant the whole time. She is a technical wiz at endoscopic saphenous vein harvest, a service she sometimes does for Vascular Surgery upon request."
"Kathleen watches out for our patients' interest pre-and post-op, for inpatients and outpatients, catching medication errors, overlooked complicating factors, or early signs of complications."
"She is tireless, hard-working, amicable, witty and wise. She quietly spots holes in patient care and fills them. When assisting on a case, whether as first- or second- assistant, she has been described as "the BASF of cardiac surgery: she doesn't make the operation -- she makes the operation better." Heart operations go more smoothly when Kathleen is around. In a teaching program such as ours, she provides a continuity not seen with residents and fellows."
Congratulations to Kennikqua (Nikki) Thompson, FNP-C, who has been selected as the APP Team Lead for the CBC Urgent Care.
Dr. Cynthia Judice states, “Because of her enthusiasm and excellent leadership skills, Nikki Thompson, in collaboration with our urgent care medical directors, has been tapped to represent our urgent cares as the Lead Urgent Care APP. She joins Laura Ellender, Primary Care Lead APP on the CBC Administrative Team.”
APP Corner is a monthly feature by, about, and for UTMB's Advanced Practice Professionals.