With the beginning of the new year, NCAPA is highlighting new faces. Leadership is so important to the PA profession, so we wanted to take an opportunity to introduce you to some great PA leaders among us, right here in North Carolina. And with that, our highlighted leader this month is Brian Robinson, MS, MPAS, PA-C.
Brian was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. He spent six years in Hattiesburg, MS, getting his Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology and a Master of Science in Microbiology, followed by several years as a contract virology and microbiology researcher for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, before joining the military as a Clinical Microbiologist. While working as a clinical microbiologist in the ICU, Brian observed PAs treating patients and was inspired to apply to PA school. He attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, graduated in 2013, and became a certified PA.
During PA school, Brian was a member of the Texas Academy of PAs and upon moving to North Carolina in 2014, he joined “without hesitation”. He believes that state organizations are great resources for PAs and states that “NCAPA is an advocate and voice of the PA in North Carolina. It is only through membership and input from PAs working and living in the state that we can maintain and advance the practice of PAs in the state.” He hopes that “PAs will continue a reputation for providing high-quality, cost-effective care to the patients we serve and continue as leaders in the medical, professional, and academic communities of North Carolina and beyond.”
Brian lives in Zionville (just outside of Boone) and has been an Assistant Professor with the Wake Forest PA Studies program on the Boone campus since 2017. He also practices clinically one day a week with Blue Ridge ENT in Linville, NC. Upon moving to Watauga County, Brian explored local and regional groups that might be available for PAs and found none. He felt the region would benefit from a regional chapter of NCAPA with regards to networking, job opportunities, and continuing education. He collaborated with his coworkers and PA colleagues and together they formed the Appalachian Association of Physician Assistants (AppAPA) in 2018. Brian has served as President of AppAPA since that time.
We asked Brian what he loves most about being a PA: “The lifestyle of a clinical PA and PA educator is excellent! I get to work in a top-notch institution with a #7 ranked PA program, with educators who are experts in their fields, all the while sharing the passion of educating top PA students. Clinically, I am able to provide private-practice ENT services in a rural setting and encounter very gracious patients who love their PA all backed with a very collaborative physician relationship.”
Through teaching students, treating patients, and supporting fellow PAs, Brian is helping lead the way to an even brighter future for the PA profession in North Carolina.
