Jack Jones

“Dr. Deschamps-Braly is incredibly approachable. He appreciates my medical opinions and knowledge on certain things. He even asks me questions at times. Our collaboration is truly with a capital “C.” I love that aspect of working here, something I felt was lacking in my previous roles.

In my previous positions, it often felt like providers believed their opinions were the only right ones, and there was a lack of collaboration. However, in my current job, I can approach my surgeon and attending physician with questions. I can even suggest things in the operating room, and they listen and take my input respectfully. This collaborative and professional interprofessional communication is truly unique. I feel fortunate to have this sense of collaboration with him and wouldn’t want it any other way at this point in my career.”

“I need to take time for myself; that’s crucial. It’s essential in any career, any job, or any part of your life. Being able to pause, reflect on your life is necessary. You’re changing the lives of others and being a part of their healthcare journey. But it’s equally important not to let that weigh on you or affect your own journey and life.

Taking time for myself, sometimes hitting the pause button, is vital. This isn’t just about medicine; it’s about life in general.”

“Great question. In the world of medicine, especially now, with these large hospitals, big academic centers, and extensive facilities within large hospital systems, they do a decent job when it comes to patient care. However, I believe that in a private practice setting, you experience a more patient-centered approach. This is because your patient population tends to be smaller in numbers compared to larger institutions. It’s intimate and, for lack of a better word, very personalized. I find it to be more patient-centered than what you typically encounter in larger institutions.

This is what I enjoy and what I felt was missing in my previous roles when I worked at various hospital systems. Coming to work and focusing on a smaller group of patients allows me to dedicate my medical energy and attention to their care and outcomes. In many other areas of medicine and institutions, they often face understaffing and resource limitations. Here, it’s different. We take our time with our patients, prioritize their care, and aim to provide the best for them. This isn’t to say that other institutions don’t, but the patient-centered model here is something I’ve come to deeply respect and love as a crucial component of my work.”

“Yeah, there are a few stories I can share with you. I’ve had a variety of patient interactions that have been profoundly meaningful and hold a special place in my heart. For instance, there was a patient I was caring for in the hospital during my previous job. Surprisingly, no family members or friends came to visit this patient. So, I decided to spend some extra time with them. I provided medical care, but I also formed a unique friendship with them. We sat down at the bedside, I listened to their stories, and I got to know them as a person, not just someone with a diagnosis. This experience was amazing, and it’s exactly why I became a clinician and a medical provider.

These moments go beyond medicine; they are profoundly human and genuine. I have the privilege of experiencing these moments almost every day at the Deschamps-Braly Clinic. I get to sit with patients and be a part of their journey, a part of their transition. While this is just one component of their journey, it’s an essential one because it shapes their perception of the world. I genuinely love this aspect of my job, being able to work with these patients and play a part in this significant moment in their journey and transition.

There’s a specific moment that stands out, where a patient came to us for a consultation and became emotional. I also felt the emotional connection and asked them to put their hands out. I held their hands and reassured them, saying, “We’ve got you, we’re here for you.” Just being present in that moment with them, offering support, and seeing the gratitude in their eyes was special. Maybe they hadn’t experienced much of that in their personal life or in interactions with other medical providers. This is why I’m so passionate about what I do.

I think I needed these reminders coming into a practice like this because I had lost some of that in my previous work. It brings me great joy to come to work every day and be able to share these moments with our patients.”

“The operating room can be an intimidating place; it’s not for everyone. It is a very detail-oriented environment, from the components of anesthesia to the operation itself. It’s like a dance; you don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. So, you have to learn the dance; otherwise, it doesn’t work.

Of course, there’s a learning curve, and there are moments when you feel like you’re drowning while learning a surgical process or an operation that you’re not familiar with. That’s the beauty of being a PA—you can pivot into other specialties. The operating room can be grueling and intimidating, but I’m very fortunate to work with a surgeon who is level-headed, skilled, composed, and communicative. This has contributed significantly to my growth as a PA, as well as a person.

I’ve learned that overcoming these obstacles has taught me resilience, not just from a physical standpoint but also a focused mentality, which I can use in both my professional and personal life. I’ve learned a lot in the operating room, about myself and about people. I’ve worked with various personalities and extended that into my professional and personal life.

When I first started in the operating room right out of PA school, it was scary. Everyone was receptive to someone learning, but there comes a point where you’re expected to know it. If you don’t meet those expectations, it can be a “Make It or Break It” situation.

I’ve learned a lot in cardiac surgery and transitioned it into my current role. While there’s a lot of foundational surgical knowledge, it’s like learning an entirely different operation, which comes with its own challenges and frustrations. Over time, it gets better, and proving to your surgeon and those around you that you know what you’re doing, can learn quickly, and think on your feet is essential. This has greatly helped me in my clinical practice.”

“I think, as a PA, you get to do a lot in the realm of medicine. You get to see patients, come up with your treatment plans, diagnose, and form relationships with your patients. That stems from collaborating with your attending and/or supervising physician. So, that collaboration, in and of itself, like being able to go to my supervising and/or attending, being Dr. Deschamps-Braly, has really helped provide a safe space and a safe environment to either bounce ideas off of him or ask questions that might be beyond my current knowledge.

He’s there as my resource, and it leads to the most beneficial patient care. Of course, a patient doesn’t want someone making decisions that might not provide them with the best care. So, having the confidence in yourself to know certain things but also having the confidence to present ideas and questions to your attending in this collaborative work environment is for the benefit of the patient. I think that collaboration is really emphasized here, and it’s genuinely appreciated. I couldn’t be happier with the collaboration I share with Dr. Deschamps-Braly.”