Blogs

Member Spotlight: Kimberly Sapre, PA-C

By Paige Bishop posted 02-07-2025
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Where did you grow up? I grew up in Crawford, AL, a rural town outside of Phenix City, AL. Why did you choose a career in medicine? I chose a career in medicine to help eliminate healthcare disparities. Unfortunately, I was introduced to how the U.S. healthcare system functioned as a patient. I had several traumatizing experiences as a patient and decided that I could work to make a difference for patients in the future. What is your favorite part about being a physician assistant and why? The PA profession is an excellent career choice. One of my favorite parts of being a PA was the ability to take care of patients ...
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Member Spotlight: Ishan Perera

By Paige Bishop posted 04-04-2025
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Today we spotlight Ishan Perera from our medical student section. Where did you grow up? I was born in New York, New York, but moved to Norfolk, VA, when I was about 3. I spent most of my childhood in Norfolk; in fact, I attended elementary, middle, high school, and college on essentially the same street! Why did you choose a career in medicine? I chose medicine while I was in high school after volunteering at my local hospital and by chance shadowing the Neurosurgery team. I immediately fell in love and decided I would pursue it. What is your favorite part about being a physician and why? I am not a physician just yet, ...
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6 Tips for Talking with Your Patients about Breastfeeding

By Lindsay Gould posted 08-11-2022
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Despite the fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a baby’s first 6 months of life , many women do not breastfeed — whether they aren’t successful, they had to stop early, or this option wasn’t accessible for them. The reasons are unique to every mother. However, it’s never been more important to talk with your patients about breastfeeding. The AAP recently updated its breastfeeding guidelines as well as issued a call for more support for breastfeeding mothers to help overcome challenges like stigma, lack of support, and workplace barriers. In addition, the national formula shortage has certainly brought ...
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Help Patients Make Healthy Eating a Priority — Even On the Go

By Mary Schmidt posted 03-21-2022
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“I want to eat healthy, but I just don’t have the time.” Sound familiar? For National Nutrition Month, it’s important to recognize that time is the one thing we never have enough of. Just like you, your patients have long to-do lists and busy schedules. Unfortunately, when time is short, healthy eating often goes out the window. You know diets high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugar can lead to conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. In fact, most of the sodium we consume comes from restaurant, processed, packaged, and store-bought food — the very things we reach for when we’re in a hurry. It’s important ...
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Member Spotlight: Dr. Claudette Dalton

By Paige Bishop posted 08-28-2024
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We're excited to launch a new series that puts the spotlight on our physician, PA, and student members! Beyond impressive credentials and medical expertise, our members are fascinating individuals with unique stories and perspectives. This new feature uncovers their passions, hobbies, and the inspiring journeys that led them to a career in medicine. Our first spotlight is with long-time MSV member and leader, Dr. Claudette Dalton. Thank you, Paige Where did you grow up? In Charlotte, NC where my dad was a Family Med doc. Why did you choose a career in medicine? Mostly ...
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Member Spotlight: Karina Parr, MD

By Paige Bishop posted 08-29-2025
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Where did you grow up? I have lived overseas and traveled extensively throughout my childhood before moving to Texas, where I finished high school. All my subsequent education was there, including Texas A&M Medical School and Baylor Scott and White residency. Why did you choose a career in medicine? Both of my parents are physicians. My mother is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and my father is a pathologist. They were always very generous with their time and medical training. My mom made house calls to check on her friends’ children any time there was a need. She volunteered as a team doctor for my and my sister’s athletic ...
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Member Spotlight: Dr. Sharon L Sheffield

By Paige Bishop posted 12-05-2024
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Thank you Dr. Sharon Sheffield for being our member spotlight for the month of December! Where did you grow up? I was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. My father was in the Navy, and when I was in the third grade, my father was transferred to the West Coast. He drove us from Portsmouth to live in Bremerton, Washington, in Navy Housing. After one year, we moved to Long Beach, California, and returned to Portsmouth when I was in the 6th grade. Why did you choose a career in medicine? I have always wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. I recently realized that genetics affected my decision because ...
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Member Spotlight! Dr. Steven Lewis

By Paige Bishop posted 05-12-2025
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Where did you grow up? My parents were both military so I grew up mostly moving between Northern Virginia and several countries overseas, including Germany, Korea, and Egypt. My family is originally from Mississippi and I often spent time there while my parents were deployed. Why did you choose a career in medicine? I initially did not plan on going into medicine. While I was living in Egypt in high school, I had the opportunity to see how medical care was provided to people with limited resources and that at times even lived in desert areas and I was amazed by the passion the physicians and interdisciplinary team provided ...
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Member Spotlight: Dr. Joe Hutchison

By Paige Bishop posted 09-23-2024
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Where did you grow up? I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. I spent a lot of time in Iowa City with college and medical school. I had another 5 years in Iowa City as a college dropout playing in a band and touring the Midwest. Why did you choose a career in medicine? It seemed like the only thing that was interesting besides playing music. Also, I figured I would rely less on ramen noodles as a physician than as a musician. What is your favorite part about being a physician and why? One is the relationships with entire families who are patients. Another aspect is I just love science. Last, I really love saving lives, some literally ...
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Member Spotlight: Raziuddin Ali , MD

By Paige Bishop posted 06-27-2025
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Where did you grow up? The suburbs of RVA! Why did you choose a career in medicine? I knew I drew strength from interacting with people, hearing their stories, and wanting to improve people’s lives, but I did not know where to go with that. I candy striped at a local hospital as a teenager which piqued my curiosity in healthcare. When I was in high school, my father suffered a heart attack, and it cemented my desire to positively impact people’s health. That set off a cascade of events that led me to pursue medicine. What is your favorite part about being a physician and why? The relationship and trust with patients. ...
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Physician Shortage: Solutions to Protect Physicians, Patients, and Healthcare Delivery

By Jenny Young posted 07-12-2022
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Within 12 years, the U.S. faces a physician shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians — which balloons to between 102,400 and 180,400 if underserved populations had healthcare-use patterns similar to those with fewer access barriers. These shortage projections by the Association of American Medical Colleges include between 17,800 and 48,000 primary care physicians, and between 21,000 and 77,100 non-primary care physicians. Unfortunately, the shortage is already very apparent. Despite the fact that the number of U.S. physicians is on the rise, there aren’t enough physicians today to meet needs. Physician numbers just aren’t growing fast enough ...
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Member Spotlight: Olaoluwa Omotowa, MD

By Paige Bishop posted 08-08-2025
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Where did you grow up? I grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho Why did you choose a career in medicine? My father was trained as a chemist, obtaining his PhD in Chemistry and my mother was trained as a bedside nurse, obtaining her PhD in Nursing Policy. From an early age I enjoyed meeting all the people my mother helped and loved having discussions about science with my father. A career in Medicine was a natural fit for me as it was a perfect blend of science and caring for others. What is your favorite part about being a physician and why? My favorite part about being a physician is caring for patients and answering ...
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Member Spotlight: Kathleen Scarbalis, PA-C

By Paige Bishop posted 09-12-2025
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Where did you grow up? Saratoga Springs, NY; the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, a beautiful place I have family and continue to visit. Why did you choose a career in medicine? Two of my loves are science and education. Medicine beautifully combines these. I was a chemistry major with a teaching minor in college. In the days before the internet, my mother sent me a newspaper clipping about the PA program at Albany Medical Center. What a great idea! What is your favorite part about being a PA and why? Relationships are important to me. The collaborative relationship with work colleagues and patient relationships ...
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Member Spotlight: Bobby Cockram, PA-C

By Paige Bishop posted 01-22-2026
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New year, new stories! In 2026, we’re stepping behind the scenes with our Member Spotlight series. From life-changing patient care to 'aha!' moments that define your career, we’re putting the heart of healthcare on camera. Meet the members who make an impact. Our kick-off starts with Bobby Cockram, PA‑C, with Inova Health. Bobby’s healthcare career began as a medic, where he first discovered his passion for helping people—an ethos that continues to define his work today. His commitment to his patients and profession exemplifies the best of healthcare in Virginia. We’re honored to have him as a member, and fortunate to have him serving communities across ...
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Member Spotlight: Courtney Corboy, PA-C

By Paige Bishop posted 04-18-2025
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Thank you Courtney Corboy, PA-C for being our spotlight! Currently Corboy works clinically with Head and Neck Cancer at VCU Health as well as PA Educator at RMC PA Program. Read her spotlight below. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Smithfield, VA, affectionately known for “Ham, History, and Hospitality.” Why did you choose a career in medicine? Practicing medicine is a beautiful combination of my love for science and people. What is your favorite part about being a physician assistant and why? Learning from members of my team and educating patients make this career life-giving for me. I appreciate that every member ...
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Member Spotlight: Dr. Thomas Eppes

By Paige Bishop posted 03-07-2025
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Thank you to Dr. Thomas Eppes for being our March Member spotlight! 1. Where did you grow up? Amelia, Virginia, essentially Mayberry USA, in a town of 800. My father’s pharmacy was the shaping force of my work life. 2. Why did you choose a career in medicine? I was called at age19, to be a physician as a healer. On top of this I was called to be a Christian physician living this as the NorthStar of my life and practice. 3. What is your favorite part about being a physician and why? Patients and the trust that they put in me to guide their health care. Every day I knew that I was ...
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What is the MSVPAC? Why MSV’s Political Action Committee is so important

By Taylor Cepeda-Laporte posted 04-11-2022
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Posted on behalf of co-authors and MSVPAC Board Members Trisha Anest, MD and Robert Glasgow, PA-C, MPAS, MPH -- When you need to make an important decision but you’re not familiar with the subject area, what do you do? You consult an expert to get the details you need to help you make an informed decision. The goal of MSV’s nonpartisan Political Action Committee (MSVPAC) is to do just that: provide legislative decision-makers with the information, data, and details they need to make informed decisions about healthcare-related issues and policies. Despite the fact that healthcare issues are at the top of the agenda for our legislators here in ...
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Colorectal Cancer Screening: 4 Steps for Success in Your Practice

By Arthur Vayer posted 03-07-2023
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Are you talking to your patients about colorectal cancer screening? Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is an important time for conversations with your patients about the disease, including screening and prevention — because your patients are more likely to have seen, heard, or read information about it right now. It’s also the perfect time to assess how your own practice is doing with patient screenings, because you know screening is the secret weapon in the fight against cancer. Setting up your practice for colorectal cancer screening success is as easy as following 4 steps recommended in a guide by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), ...
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Physician Self-Care Is Mission-Critical Today

By Arturo Saavedra posted 11-08-2021
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There’s no question COVID-19 has up-leveled physician stress and burnout — which you know all too well was already a challenge for medical professionals. Quarantines. Increased patient loads. Staff absences and shortages. Fear of exposure. Supply anxiety. New PPE protocols. Vaccinations and vaccination status concerns. Decreased practice revenue and increased costs (link is external) . Patient fear. Misinformation. Telehealth visits and their related technology demands. Delayed patient health screenings and treatment. The list goes on. And that’s all on top of issues already facing physicians and PAs every day before the pandemic. We’ve all ...
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Member Spotlight: Scott Armistead, MD

By Paige Bishop posted 12-03-2025
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Where did you grow up? Mechanicsville, VA Why did you choose a career in medicine? I felt called to missionary medicine during my first year in college. What is your favorite part about being a physician and why? I value the bond with people and families formed by walking with them in their journey through the challenges of illness. Is there a specific event or learning experience that you had that served as an “a-ha” moment or growth opportunity? I was able to shadow a missionary doctor in Kenya during the summer after my junior year in college. I observed the demise of a young boy with Burkitt’s ...
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