Download PDF

About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

Stephen Pasquini, PA-C, is a 2004 graduate of the Rutgers/UMDNJ PA program, a National Health Service Corps Scholarship recipient, and a proud physician assistant with over eighteen years of clinical experience in bilingual Spanish/English settings. He is the owner and creator of The Physician Assistant Life Website, Smarty PANCE PA Board Review, PA School Finder, and the web chair for Physician Assistants for Global Health with a goal of bringing greater awareness and understanding of the PA profession. He has co-authored several books on the PA profession. Stephen has a passion for primary care medicine and delights in the chance to provide a safe medical home with continuity of care for all his patients. His goal is to build a healthier community and someday see a world without healthcare inequality.

Employment Summary

Sep 2018Present

Physician Assistant Certified

Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency

As a dedicated Family Practice Physician Assistant, I provided comprehensive healthcare services at the Homeless Persons Health Project and Emeline Clinics. Leveraging strong clinical skills and a patient-centric approach, I delivered high-quality primary care to underserved populations. Responsibilities included diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, performing routine check-ups, managing medications, addiction medicine services (including medication-assisted treatment and shared medical appointments), and educating patients on health maintenance and disease prevention. Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and adapt to high-pressure environments, delivering empathetic and effective healthcare to those most in need.

Jan 2012Present

CEO/Founder

The PA Life, INC

As the CEO and Founder of ThePALife.com and SmartyPANCE.com, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial skills in establishing and growing two successful online platforms. With a strong background in the medical field, I have dedicated my career to providing comprehensive resources and tools for Physician Assistants/Associates (PAs) and PA students. ThePALife.com is renowned for its insightful content, including articles, interviews, advice, and services that supports and guides aspiring and practicing PAs. Meanwhile, SmartyPANCE.com is an innovative platform that offers a wealth of study materials, practice exams, and educational resources tailored for PAs and PA students preparing for their PANCE, PANRE, EOR, and EOC exams. My expertise in content creation, digital marketing, and e-learning, coupled with a deep understanding of the PA profession, has enabled me to create a significant impact in the PA community. My commitment to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement has been instrumental in the success and recognition of both platforms.

Dec 2015Sept 2018

Physician Assistant Certified

Prime Pain Medicine Institute

Physician assistant and pain medicine specialty provider as part of a multidisciplinary team using integrative and novel approaches to treat pain at its source while decreasing dependence on opioid pain medications. Our philosophy is to accurately diagnose and treat the cause of pain rather than mask symptoms. I work in a bustling office setting managing chronic, complex, and challenging cases. Along with diagnosis and treatment, I perform numerous procedures, including but not limited to: ultrasound-guided injections, joint injections, selective nerve blocks, and intramuscular trigger point injections. I also provide medical education and lead small patient groups within our functional restoration and rehabilitation program.

Oct 2004Jul 2014

Physician Assistant Certified

Mee Memorial Hospital, Greenfield, CA

Physician assistant and primary care provider in a fast-paced, rural, community health center. Involved in all aspects of patient care across the lifespan, including; detailed history, physical examinations, development and implementation of treatment plans, prescription of medications, ordering and interpretation of laboratory tests and diagnostic studies, as well as in-office surgical procedures. For many years I served as the sole clinical provider on weekends and holidays, have participated in a community-based program to teach sexual education in local area middle schools, and have joined in an effort to provide free physical examinations to the uninsured through our community outreach program.

Applicable Skills

  • Diagnose and treat common urgent care problems including URI's, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, mononucleosis, asthma exacerbations, UTIs, otitis media and externa, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion, migraines, gastroenteritis, fractures/dislocations, allergic reactions.
  • Experience in the management of chronic medical illness such as, but not limited to diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart failure, obesity, chronic pain syndromes, thyroid disease, cirrhosis, and chemical dependency.
  • Procedures: I and D's, closure of wounds via sutures, staples and Dermabond; wound and skin care, injections, aseptic and isolation techniques, venipuncture, initiation of intravenous infusions, placement of NG tubes, collection of cultures, arterial blood draws, CPR, placement of catheters, eye examination using fluorescein and Wood's light.
  • Extensive practice in the area of pediatrics and adolescent medicine including well child/adolescent exams, screening sports physicals, infant care and nutrition, disorders of the bladder and bowel, the effective management of ADHD, eating disorders, and childhood behavioral problems.
  • Women's health including Papanicolaou cytology smears, wet mount and KOH prep, evaluation and management of abnormal uterine bleeding, menopause, osteoporosis, contraceptive initiation, and surveillance as well as basic obstetric care.
  • The ability to focus on mental health as it affects physiological well being.
  • The skill to work in a diverse and multicultural environment, with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Oct 20122014

Haiti Medical Team

FCF Missions, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Medical lead and co-organizer of a physician assistant led medical missions team to Port-au-Prince Haiti. We provide primary care to underserved communities in and around Port-au-Prince as well as several rural outlying villages in the region. We team with local doctors, dentists, and volunteer agencies to provide ongoing services and prescription medications through local contacts to extend services beyond present-day needs.

Sep 1999Jul 2001

Senior Mobile Technician/Supervisor

Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, WA

On-site supervisor and lead technician during mobile community blood drives. On-site coordinator of bone marrow and rare blood donor drives. Supervised 2-15 staff/volunteers per day and performed venipuncture for whole blood/sample collection. Screened donors for medical history, took vital signs and performed hematocrit testing. Monitored and cared for all donor reactions. Trained and precepted new staff. Responsible for the post-drive summary, donor health reports, computer/data entry, on-site maintenance, post-donation evaluations, and all on-site consultations with mobile coordinators and clinical program nurses.

Oct 1998Jun 1999

Phlebotomist

University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA

Performed venipuncture for laboratory testing on adults and children in both inpatient and outpatient setting. Educated patients on correct specimen handling and collection. Ordered and distributed diagnostic tests from outside laboratories. Trained new personnel in venipuncture and laboratory procedures. Tended to all patient reactions and complications as needed.

Education

20012004

Masters of Science Physician Assistant Studies

University of Medicine and Dentistry / Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

Intensive program included 18 months of classroom training shared with Robert Wood Johnson medical students culminating with 16 months of clinical rotations.

Masters Project: Community-Oriented Primary Care Summer Assistantship: In collaboration with the Jersey Shore Medical Center "A" Team, a clinic providing care to underserved patients with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, I organized and created a community awareness campaign regarding Hepatitis C infection/transmission. Provided direct patient outreach within the team’s mobile unit and compiled on-site research data for publication to guide Hepatitis C treatment and education within the clinic. 

Books and Online Publications

  • Test-Taking Masterclass: Interactive online course and a comprehensive guide to developing effective test-taking strategies for high-stakes exams. It not only focuses on understanding the structure of test questions but also emphasizes the importance of thinking critically and analytically to navigate through them successfully. Published May 2023
  • 101 PA School Admissions Essays: Stories of life in the pursuit of medicine, Published March 2017
  • How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement, Published September 2015
  • Smarty PANCE - NCCPA Content Blueprint PANCE and PANRE physician assistant exam review. Integrated Picmonic and ReelDX patient video cases, 2014 - present.
  • The Physician Assistant Life - A site focused on creating awareness and understanding of the physician assistant profession with content geared toward pre-physician assistants and students interested in the PA career path, 2012 - present.
  • PA School Finder - Interactive online physician assistant program directory, 2013 - present.
  • Physician Assistants for Global Health - The international arm of The American Academy of Physician Assistants - content creator and web chair, 2008 - 2019.

Scholarships

  • US Department of Health and Human Services, National Health Service Corps Scholarship, 2002 - 2004
  • SEARCH (Student Experiences and Rotations in Community Health) NHSC Scholarship program Oregon Primary Care Association, Woodburn, OR, 2004
  • Scholarship - Dean's List, University of Washington, 1999

Honors and Awards

  • Most dedicated provider, Mee Memorial Hospital 2012-2014
  • United States Patent Pending, #61/069927, Santa Cruz, CA, 2008
  • United States Patent Pending, #60/222539, Seattle, WA, 2000
  • Employee of the Year, Hall Health Primary Care Center