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Women of Distinction

Kristine Daugherty,

PA-C, MPAS, MIM, MBA

Physician Assistant and Clinical Consultant

By Judith A. Habert

Kristine Daugherty knew Her original area of inter- ing mobility after a
from an early age that she est led her to consider attend- musculoskeletal
was destined to go into the ing medical school to become injury, improv-
medical field. She had a giv- a surgeon. However, while in ing chronic pain,
ing heart and helped to take school Kristine realized that eliminating the
care of her great grandmother this career path would not need for medica-
when she was just a young satisfy her need to help her tions due to lifestyle
girl. What sealed the deal for patients on a long-term basis, changes, or support-
Kristine was the changes she “Since a surgeon only sees pa- ing them with chronic
saw. “I saw a marked differ- tients for a few appointments, diseases such as diabe-
ence in my great grandmother before and after surgery, I tes. I am very passionate
when she was given the care soon realized that being a sur- about educating patients
she needed. I was fascinated geon was not the right path on nutrition, complemen-
with some of the differences for me. What gives me the tary and alternative med-
I saw in her health and loved most satisfaction is having a icine, and the mind-body Photo by Margot Duane
seeing her quality of life im- long-term relationship where connection. I use a variety of
prove right in front of my I could work with a patient on tools such as supplements, can workout and enjoy ac-
eyes. Sometimes it was from an ongoing basis and help to light therapy, mindfulness tivity they could not before.
a simple medication change improve their quality of life.” practices, peptides, and much I have had patients who were
or the coordination of care When it came time to con- more to support patients with battling depression and after
she received from different sider her postgraduate study, chronic medical conditions, teaching them mindfulness
specialists. I knew that I was she pursued her PA. C, which nutrient deficiencies, anxiety, and breathing techniques,
destined to have a career in is a course of study that leads depression, insomnia, gut they realize that they can
medicine after volunteering at to a Physician Assistant desig- issues, and other health con- control their moods without
a skilled nursing facility when nation. The C is for a PA who is cerns. utilizing traditional medica-
I was 12 years old. I will always certified by the National Com- “It is so amazing and ful- tion.”
treasure this experience as it mission of Certification of PAs. filling for me to have my Kristine is one of the most
was so rewarding to establish Kristine soon found out that patients come back for a fol- knowledgeable medical pro-
meaningful relationships with she made the right decision. low-up visit and have them fessionals that I have spoken
the residents and to support Today she works with patients tell me how much better they to over the years and she
them with day to day activi- in a wide variety of areas. “I re- are feeling. They are often does not take her job light-
ties. As a senior in high school, ally am passionate about uti- amazed that their sleep pat- ly. From our interview it was
I was granted several scholar- lizing different therapies that terns have improved. They easy to see that much time
ships to study advertising and allow the body to heal itself.” have renewed energy and and thought have gone into
marketing in college, so I ulti- I asked Kristine what her are possessing less anxiety. her acquiring such a wide
mately decided to complete favorite part of her job was. Many of my patients feel as range of knowledge in so
my undergraduate degree in “I truly love hearing success if they have a new lease on many different specialties.
business. I chose to take ad- stories from my patients and life and can suddenly enjoy “I practice in regenerative
vantage of my scholarships supporting them in achieving simple things like picking up medicine, integrative medi-
and planned to go back and their health/wellness goals. their grandchildren. When cine, and functional medicine.
later in life to pursue a career This can vary from achieving they reach weight loss goals, I work at getting to the root
in medicine.” weight loss goals, increas- they suddenly find that they cause of why my patients are

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