There are several patients that I’ve been fortunate enough to foster deep connections with. That’s what keeps me coming back to my job everyday – helping people get through some of the hardest and the worst times of their lives and celebrating with them at their biggest wins.” –Laura Blanchard, MPAP, PA-C
The NCAPA is dedicated to celebrating our members who impact not only their patients, but also the PA profession by leading the way, in and out of the clinic. NCAPA recently sat down with Member Laura Blanchard, MPAP, PA-C, on how her journey as an inpatient PA and APP supervisor in malignant hematology has allowed her to be an empathetic provider and servant leader that guides patients through one of the most difficult times of their life – a cancer diagnosis.
Laura was born and raised in Greenville, NC, and graduated PA school from Campbell University’s charter class of 2013. She has served on the NCAPA Government Affairs Committee, is Chair of the Triangle Leadership Team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is on the Conference Planning Committee for the Advanced Practice Provider Oncology Summit (APPOS).
A Desire to Serve and Support
PA Blanchard was initially a trumpet performance major at East Carolina University, but after being exposed to the PA profession through working with a hematology PA, she realized, “I have such a strong desire to help people, and I knew I wanted to help people get through cancer, to be able to diagnose and treat, but also support.”
During her time in PA school, she recalled one pivotal moment during her second year of clinical rotations while working with a preceptor. “[This] preceptor was really tough, but only for my best interest. I was terrified of making these decisions, and he essentially said, ‘You are it – you tell me what you think you should do, because now is the time for someone to guide you. Make the most of this time.’ He basically transformed my confidence and decision-making skills.”
“I want to be that type of preceptor to my students too,” she shared. “As a preceptor, I sit down with them, encourage them to shadow and learn the basics, but remind them that by the end of this, I want them to be the provider and be able to confidently back their decisions.”
A Day in the Life: Malignant Hematology
PA Blanchard’s day varies every single day – which is what she loves the most about it.
“The main thing I do is diagnose and treat various forms of blood cancers and all the complications that come along with that diagnosis. This consists of helping patients understand their diagnosis, the complications, and their overall prognosis, but also having the hard conversations when the treatments no longer work. If they are in the death and dying process, I also help them to understand what the process will look like and how we can best support them.”
When asked if there was a patient story that still sticks with her to this day, PA Blanchard shared the story of her grandmother, who passed away three years ago from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) – the very same cancer she primarily diagnoses and treats.
“In that situation, I was not only the family member but also a provider in a way, as I had to walk my own family through the diagnosis and treatment but also the death and dying process. It was a privilege and an honor to give the same support to my own family that I give to my patients everyday.”
Leading the Way
Having served on NCAPA’s Government Affairs Committee and Regulatory Subcommittee, PA Blanchard’s passion lies in ensuring PAs practice at the top of their license. “This means working to make sure we have strong legislation to make this happen,” she shared.
She reinforced the need for PAs to continue advocating towards “retaining that collaborative relationship with our supervising physicians, while making sure that institutions across the nation truly understand the value that PAs bring, the education we have, and how much we can do for patients.”
PA Blanchard also serves on the Conference Planning Committee of the Advanced Practice Provider Oncology Summit (APPOS), with this being her second year of being involved. She recently won an award for being the APPOS MVP (Most Valuable Professional) of the Year, with the nomination coming from one of her colleagues and nurse on her unit that she had supported, uplifted, and encouraged throughout her journey on returning to school to become a NP.
Outside of the Clinic
PA Blanchard has been a Member of the NCAPA since she was a PA student. When asked on why she continues to be a Member even after graduating, she said, “It was the networking component – you never know who you’re going to meet. [NCAPA] was a sense of community, even before I fully got immersed in the profession, and that was invaluable.”
In her free time, she enjoys watching her kids play sports, and if she weren’t a PA, she would love to be a professional baseball mom! “Seeing my kids do the things they love brings me such joy,” she shared.
