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Hailey Physician Honored for Mentoring Physician Assistants
Dr. Richard Paris, a physician at St. Luke’s Clinic – Family Medicine: Hailey, was recently recognized with the 2018 IAPA Supervising Physician of the Year Award.
The Idaho Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) Supervising Physician of the Year Award recognizes a physician who demonstrates great mentorship and fosters a unique relationship of trust, collegiality and mutual respect.
During the award ceremony in Sun Valley, Dr. Paris was described as a champion of Idaho physician assistants for more than 20 years; he exemplifies the principles of collaborative practice and has been a mentor in encouraging the PAs he supervises to practice to the full extent of their skills and knowledge.
Dr. Paris has been the supervising physician for Emily Karassik, a physician assistant at the Hailey clinic, for 19 years.
In addition to his fulltime practice in Hailey, Dr. Paris is committed to providing care in rural areas where communities lack fulltime physicians. To serve patients in those rural areas where travel can be a challenge, Dr. Paris – who is a pilot – often flies to the locations so he can spend more time in the clinics.
As part of his rural practice, Dr. Paris has been the medical director and supervising physician for Amy Klingler, a physician assistant at the Salmon River Clinic in Stanley, for more than a decade, and the supervising physician for three other PAs at the Challis Area Health Center in Challis.
Because of his commitment to these clinics and PAs over the last two decades, patients have access to high quality, affordable healthcare in remote locations throughout Central Idaho. His leadership has given his PAs the confidence to rely on their skills and clinical judgment, and to make informed decisions daily about the often-complicated patients they encounter in rural medicine.
About The Idaho Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA)
The IAPAis a state constituent chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. When founded in 1977, there were only 16 PAs in Idaho. Today, there are over 1,100 licensed PAs and PA students in the state. Over the years, the IAPA has developed into a dynamic professional organization representing over 425 PAs and PA students in the state of Idaho, leading the profession through education, advocacy, community involvement and professional growth.
About The Author
Joy Prudek is the manager of public relations for St. Luke's Wood River.
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