SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - Dignity Health YRMC Physician Assistant Named Program Preceptor of the Year

Episode Date: January 8, 2025

Send us a text and chime in!Jerry Baldwin, a Physician Assistant at Dignity Health YRMC, received the Creighton University PA Program Preceptor of the Year Award. This award recognizes his dedication to training future healthcare professionals. The award presentation was a surprise from some of his former students. Baldwin's work exemplifies the successful partnership between YRMG and Creighton University, providing valuable hands-on clinical learning experiences. This partnership contributes to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals in the community. The article appeared on the SignalsAZ.com website, a local news and events publication.Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Welcome back, everybody. Ready for another deep dive. Always ready to dide in. Awesome. Today, we're headed to Chino Valley, Arizona. Sounds sunny. What are we looking into there? Well, it's actually a pre-inspiring story about a physician assistant, Gerald Jerry Baldwin. Okay, and what's so special about Jerry? Well, he was just given this big award, the Creighton University PA program Perceptor of the Year award.

Preceptor of the Year? That's got to be a big deal. Yeah, and you know what makes it even cooler? his former students surprised him with it. Wow. Talk about making an impact. So what exactly does a preceptor do anyway? Basically, they're the bridge between the classroom and the real world for PA students. Ah, so they're the ones who take all that textbook knowledge and show students how to actually apply it with patients. Precisely.

And Jerry, apparently, is phenomenal at it. I can imagine. Getting an award like that nominated by your own students, that speaks volumes. Absolutely. You can just hear the passion in his voice when he talks about it. He said, I put my heart into my work and the opportunity to train others and have those very students come up to the clinic unexpectedly to share their appreciation is kind of a full circle moment. It really is. I mean, when you think about it, these preceptors are shaping the future of health care.

So true. They're mentoring the next generation of providers. And a good preceptor can make all the difference. You know, I remember when I was a student. Oh, you have to tell me about it. What was your experience like? Well, I was lucky enough to have a fantastic preceptor, super knowledgeable, obviously, but also patient and supportive. It's such a critical balance, isn't it? You need someone who can guide you, answer your questions, but also give you the space to learn and grow.

Exactly. It's like you want someone who's there to catch you if you fall, but they also encourage you to take those first steps on your own. And that's what makes people like Jerry so important. They're not just teaching skills. They're building confidence in these future PAs. Couldn't agree more. And when you have confident, competent providers, it benefits everyone, right? The patients get better care. The whole system runs more smoothly. It's like a ripple effect. One dedicated preceptor can touch the lives of countless patients down the line. And it all starts with that passion, that commitment to teaching and mentorship that someone like Jerry embodies. So let's talk a bit about the bigger picture here. Sure. What do you have in mind? Well, we have this amazing story about Jerry and the impact he's having. But it also highlights. the importance of partnerships, like the one between Dignity Health, where he works, and Creton University, his alma mater. Absolutely. Those collaborations are crucial. I mean, think about it. Universities can provide the theoretical foundation, but health care institutions like Dignity Health offer the real-world experience, the hands-on training.

And it's a win-win, right? The students get the practical skills they need and the community benefits from having well-trained providers. Precisely. It's a fantastic model for ensuring we have. have a strong health care workforce for the future. Which makes you think, with the increasing demand for health care professionals, particularly PA's, could this kind of mentorship be even more important going forward? It's definitely a key piece of the puzzle. We need to invest in these mentorship programs, support preceptors like Jerry, and recognize the incredible impact they have.

It's about empowering the next generation of health care heroes, one student at a time. Well said. And it leaves us with a question for our listeners. to ponder. What can we do individually or collectively to encourage and support more health care professionals to become exceptional mentors like Jerry? Because that kind of dedication can truly transform health care. It's food for thought for sure. And a great place to wrap up today's deep dive. Thanks for joining us, everyone, and we'll see you next time.