By Christine Buttell, PA-C
Have you ever noticed the letters “PA-C” after a healthcare provider’s name and wondered what they mean? You’re not alone.
As a Physician Assistant, it’s a question I hear from time to time. PA-C stands for Physician Assistant-Certified. While the title may sound unfamiliar to some patients, PAs have been an important part of healthcare teams since the 1960s and at LCHC, our team of PAs are proud to care for patients of all ages.
What Does a PA-C Do?
As PAs, we are licensed medical providers trained to diagnose illnesses, perform physical exams, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans.
Whether you’re coming in for an annual wellness visit, a sore throat, management of a chronic condition, or an unexpected illness or injury, a PA can truly do it all!
In many ways, the care you receive from a PA is similar to the care you would receive from a physician. We work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure every patient receives the care they need.
How Are PA-Cs Trained?
One thing many patients are surprised to learn is just how extensive PA education and training is.
Before entering PA school, most of us complete a bachelor’s degree and accumulate over 1,000 hours of healthcare experience. PA programs are graduate-level programs that combine intensive classroom education with thousands of hours of clinical training.
During our education, we gain experience in a wide variety of specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, emergency medicine, behavioral health, and more. This broad medical training prepares us to care for patients across many different healthcare settings.
After graduation, we must pass a national certification exam to earn the PA-C credential. From there, we must complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years and every ten years, we are required to retake the certification exam. This helps ensure we stay current on medical advancements and provide you the best care possible.
Why Are PAs Important in Rural Healthcare?
In communities like ours, access to healthcare is incredibly important.
PAs help expand access to care by increasing appointment availability and ensuring patients can receive timely treatment close to home. As members of the LCHC healthcare team, we work closely with physicians, nurses, therapists, specialists, and many other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for our patients.
Our goal is simple: to make sure you receive high-quality care when you need it.
What We Want Patients to Know
The letters “PA-C” represent years of education, clinical training, certification, and ongoing learning. More importantly, they represent a commitment to caring for patients.
As PAs, we have chosen this profession because we enjoy building relationships with patients, solving healthcare challenges, and helping people feel their best. We are proud to be part of the healthcare team at Lucas County Health Center and grateful for the opportunity to serve our community every day.
The next time you see “PA-C” after a provider’s name, you’ll know you’re being cared for by a highly trained medical professional who is working alongside an entire healthcare team to help you achieve your best health.
Meet Your LCHC PA Team
At Lucas County Health Center, our team of Physician Assistants is committed to serving our community through compassionate, patient-centered care.
Each of us brings unique experiences and strengths, but we share a common goal—helping our patients live healthier lives. Whether we’re treating an acute illness, helping manage a chronic condition, or providing preventive care, we are honored to be part of your healthcare journey.
Note: On July 1, 2026, SF2190 will take effect changing the terminology “Physician Assistant” to “Physician Associate.” Both terms may be used interchangeably.