NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS
In the Trenches submission special to The News Press
2/28/2006Name: Michael Young
Title: Physician Assistant for Pediatric Orthopedics of Southwest Florida
Job: Physician Assistants are licensed health care professionals trained in the same format as physicians. They have postgraduate degree and certification to work as mid level health care providers under the supervision of physicians.
I work in pediatric orthopedics under the direction of two orthopedic surgeons Doctors Brett Shannon and John Churchill, and we deal with a wide spectrum of orthopedic conditions in newborns to children up to age 18. A lot of what I do is work with sports injuries in children and teens.
I run a daily fracture clinic seeing as many as 30 to 40 patients a day with many acute injuries and confer with the physicians on treatment plans.
My day consists of a wide variety of tasks ranging from reducing fractures of the arm, assisting with comprehensive surgeries such as ligament reconstructions of the knee, to assess rehabilitation efforts that allow kids to get back into their sport.
I enjoy working with children as well as teenagers, assisting them in their healing process. I have found that you have to be honest with kids, if they see that you truly care, then you have a good chance at being trusted and becoming their friend.
I have worked in this field since 1991, and have watched firsthand the growth of our youth population. We are the sole "pediatric only" orthopedic group in Southwest Florida which makes me the only pediatric orthopedic PA in the entire three county area!
I feel I have a connection with the local high school athletes. Having graduated from high school here, I donate my efforts each spring to several local high schools for free pre-participation sports physicals.
Goal: Continue to assist children/adolescents to heal their injuries and continue to be a positive role model for the people around me.
Hobbies, interests, and activities: Spending time with my wife, travel and training/competing in triathlons. We recently returned from a mission trip to China.
Last book read: "The Book of Hope," a chronological account of the life of Jesus.
Family: My wife Christine and I are in the process of international adoption.
Words of Advice: Success is a journey not a destination. If something comes easy, then chances are you haven't pushed yourself to your highest potential.
For further information, contact:
Carolyn Rogers, CR Public Relations 239-850-5020 (cell), 239-432-9722 (office)
Contact for this submission: Annette Murray, Practice Manager, Pediatric Orthopedics, 239-432-5105.