“PAs will always change and evolve as healthcare continues to change and evolve. The big thing I hope to continue to see is for PAs to become the ‘change agents’ of healthcare, especially in North Carolina.” – Trey Boyd, DMSc, MSM, PA-C
With his avid involvement in many different state academies, healthcare organizations, free clinics, and academia, NCAPA is excited to highlight current Director-at-Large, Trey Boyd DMSc, MSM, PA-C for June’s “I Am NCAPA” member interview. NCAPA recently spoke with PA Boyd on his insights surrounding PA practice in North Carolina. PA Boyd is in his twelfth year of PA practice, is currently the Associate Clinical Director of the Gardner-Webb University PA program and specializes in orthopedics.
He was born and raised in South Carolina and attended Trevecca-Nazarene University PA Program in Nashville, Tennessee. “After graduating PA school, I came back and worked in South Carolina for about eight years, where I helped to found the Presbyterian College PA Program in 2017-2018,” PA Boyd shared.
PA Boyd shared that one his most significant experiences has been his time as practicing PA in a free clinic. “I began working at the Good Shepherd Free Clinic during my time in academia at Presbyterian College to maintain my skills,” he continued, sharing that he was one of the providers at the clinic in Laurens County, South Carolina. “I enjoyed the patients and the atmosphere, and I felt like I was making a direct impact on my patients, and not just a cog in the wheel. I had agency in what I was doing.”
Inspired by and dedicated to the work that he was apart of at the free clinics, PA Boyd later partnered with the Free Clinic of Central Virginia to establish a brand-new clinic in the neighboring county upon moving to Virginia, continuing to provide for his surrounding community.
When asked on his opinion on what makes North Carolina a unique place to practice as a PA, he shared, “PAs practice everywhere, and when you’re in the PA world, it’s hard to imagine a world where there aren’t PAs, and whether that be in Tennessee or South Carolina or beyond, PAs are providing good, quality healthcare.
“What I like about North Carolina is how engaged in the healthcare system PAs seem to be. PAs have really high-level leadership roles in major health systems here in North Carolina, and it is encouraging to see PAs having a seat at the table here in the state.” – Trey Boyd, DMSc, MSM, PA-C
With his time as a practicing PA, the NCAPA also asked if there was a patient story that has stayed with him throughout his career. He smiled, saying that he can’t possibly choose just one story. “And that just speaks a lot to what PAs do and how impactful we can be for our patients, right?” he said.
“However, one patient does come to mind. She was a very young patient that suffered a very bad lower leg injury. She needed multiple surgeries, and we were not sure if she would regain the ability to walk. Today, not only is she walking, but she is now a coach. That is one example, from beginning to end, from a patient going from something so dire to regaining function, not just so that person can survive, but to thrive. That’s something we’re really proud of in orthopedics.”
Trey is currently one of the NCAPA Directors-at-Large, serving on the NCAPA Board of Directors and engaging with the entire Board to lead the Academy. However, his involvement with state academies started well before moving to North Carolina, becoming heavily involved in the state academies in South Carolina and Virginia.
“When we moved to Virginia, before we even settled and bought a house, the first thing I did was call the state academy,” he said. “I basically said, ‘Hey, I’m on the way, and I want to be involved.’ I then chaired the advocacy committee for the Virginia state academy and got involved during my time in the state.”
“When I was headed to North Carolina, I did the same thing: I called NCAPA and said, ‘I’m coming, I want to be involved, please put me where you need me,’” he shared. “I’ve mentored a lot of PAs through their doctorates, and a lot of them always ask me how to get involved. I always tell them to call their state academies and just ask where to start.”
“Whether PAs are taking on leadership roles in their communities or state organizations, PAs will always adapt and will always provide high quality, safe, and effective healthcare no matter what – that’s what the healthcare system needs.” – Trey Boyd, DMSc, MSM, PA-C
