What Chelsea Varner, PA-C likes best about being a physician assistant (PA) specializing in plastic surgery and cosmetics is guiding patients through the surgical process and helping them return to looking and feeling their best.
“I started my career as a medical technologist working in a laboratory. Although I was involved in patient care, it was behind the scenes with no patient contact,” Varner says.
Varner eventually began working with oncologists, adding phlebotomy (blood draws) and bone marrow aspirations to her responsibilities. She realized she liked interacting with patients, which led to a life-changing decision.
“I wanted to educate patients and see the direct effect of what I was doing. I went back to school to become a PA and found I loved surgery and caring for patients post-operatively.”
As a plastic surgery PA, Varner divides her time between the hospital and the office, whether she is checking in with patients following surgery, seeing them for a follow-up visit, or assisting in the operating room.
She often sees patients immediately following a diagnosis of cancer, when they are feeling vulnerable and unsure about the road ahead.
“Among my patients are those with skin cancer or breast cancer. I enjoy educating my patients and helping them through this phase of their journey,” she says.
“I may meet a patient in the hospital the first day after surgery and see them every day they are in the hospital until they are discharged home. I take the time to thoroughly explain their care instructions, including what to look out for and what to expect in the coming days, weeks and months. I will stay in touch with that patient regularly until they are comfortable managing by themselves.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is watching patients return to their lives and thrive after recovering from surgery or treatment.
“Many of my patients have had their lives interrupted by illness or injury. By the time they’ve finished their surgery with us, they have usually completed their treatment. We have the privilege of watching them return to their jobs and lives and start feeling good about themselves again,” she adds.
Varner also cares for patients who come to her practice for limb reconstruction.
“Some of these patients would be facing amputation without our services. Our microsurgeon is able to give them a second chance at keeping their extremity,” she says.
Varner recalls the joy of watching a patient walk into her office and seeing firsthand how her team impacted that patient’s life.
“It was the first time I had seen that patient walk. When she originally came to us, she was unable to take a step on her own. I hadn’t seen her in several months and when she came in walking with a cane, we both started crying. It was incredibly uplifting.”
View Chelsea Varner's clinical profile