Fred Barfield: Chief physician assistant
July 23, 2010 Fred Barfield, RPA-C at Nassau University Medical Center examines a MRI of a shoulder. Credit: Photo by Daniel Goodrich
Name: Fred Barfield
Age: 29
Company: Nassau University Medical Center, orthopedic department
Location: East Meadow
Job title: Chief physician assistant
Where Barfield thinks industry is headed:
Physicians practicing primary care are in short supply and their numbers are not expected to increase in time to meet the need created by health care reform, experts said. So medical practices will be looking for physician assistants and nurse practitioners to deliver many primary-care services.
His field's new direction:
Toward greater recognition and respect, as his profession becomes increasingly important in patient health care.
I wanted to get out and start helping people. . . . And I knew a PA [physician assistant] had good flexibility to work in different aspects of medicine. . . . Just knowing I am helping people get better and making a difference."
