Alexandra McMenamin, BA, MS, PA-C
Ali has been passionately practicing family medicine in Oregon for the past 18 years. Born and raised in Colorado, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Shortly after she ventured west where she obtained her Masters of Science and Physician Assistant degree and certification at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Ali is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (Associates).
Ali is passionate about providing individualized, quality care and working together with patients to develop a treatment plan that best suits each ones needs. She brings to Merritt Health and Wellness a plethora of family medicine and internal medicine experience and enjoys preventative care with the goal of disease prevention and early detection. She is skilled in managing a broad range of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, migraines, depression and anxiety and is also happy to see you for a cold, rash or back pain.
Ali’s passion for disease prevention doesn’t stop at the clinic doors. Outside of office hours she prioritizes and enjoys staying active through a regular exercise program and exploring the great Pacific Northwest outdoors, experimenting and having fun with healthy cooking and slowing down to enjoy time with her family.
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What is a Physician Assistant (Associate)?
Physician assistants are integral members of the health care team in many hospitals and clinical practices. The role of the physician assistant (PA) is to practice medicine under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician.
How did the physician assistant (associate) profession begin?
The first PAs began training in 1967 at Duke University in North Carolina. The program began to assist Vietnam veterans who had served as medics. It allowed them to transition into civilian life by gaining credentials to use their training and extraordinary experience.
Overtime, the number of PAs (as military corpsman) has grown. Today, a master’s degree is required as entry-level education. There are now sophisticated, standardized education and certification processes in place. Programs must gain accreditation by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
What do physician assistants (associates) do?
Working interdependently with physicians, PAs provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care in virtually all medical specialties and settings. They take patient histories, perform physical examinations, order laboratory and diagnostic studies, prescribe medications, and develop patient treatment plans. Their job descriptions are as diverse as those of their supervising physicians, and include clinical practice, patient education, team leadership, medical education, health administration, and research.
Where do physician assistants (associates) practice?
PAs have opportunities in a wide variety of specialties. These range from Primary Care to Surgery.