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Heather Kitchens, PA-C

Locations:

  • Pinehurst Dermatology

Heather Kitchens, PA-C, joined Pinehurst Dermatology in 2019, and the practice recently joined The Skin Surgery Center in November 2020. Heather, a native North Carolinian, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. She then went on to earn her Masters of Medical Science from the Emory University Physician Assistant Program. Heather first began work in internal medicine and has worked in the dermatology field since 2009. Her primary focus is general dermatology, with interests in skin cancer and psoriasis, among others. Heather is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA), in addition to being certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

EDUCATION

1993 University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC
BA, Psychology

1996 Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
Master of Medical Science

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

  • National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, October 1996 — present
  • Licensed by Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, April 1997 — present
  • Licensed by State of Alabama Board of Medical Examiner, 1998 – 2009
  • North Carolina Physician Assistant License (pending)

EMPLOYMENT

August 2016 – 2019
Dermatology Physician Assistant
Evans Dermatology
Augusta, GA

  • Provided high quality dermatologic services which include examination, diagnoses and treatment of various skin disorders to patients of all ages in a private practice general and cosmetic dermatology office.
  • Performed elliptical excisions of melanoma, squamous and basal cell carcinomas and atypical nevi including occasional facial excisions.
  • Performed shave, punch and excisional biopsies, cryosurgery, incision and drainage of skin abs.cess, intralesional steroid injections, psoriatic biologic training and injection.
  • Diagnose and treat eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, contact dermatitis, acne including isotretinoin therapy, rosacea, hidradenitis supertiva, HSV, Varicella zoster, cutaneous lupus, pyogenic granuloma, annular erythemas, tinea corporis, onychomycosis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, lamellar ichthyosis.

November 2009 – June 2016
Dermatology Physician Assistant
Augusta Dermatology Associates
Augusta, GA

  • Provided excellent dermatologic care to patients in a private practice Mohs surgery and general dermatology office with a focus on skin cancer treatments.
  • Independently evaluated, diagnosed  and treated a wide array of dermatologic conditions on patients of all ages.
  • Performed comprehensive new and established patient full body skin examinations and skin cancer screening evaluations.
  • Procedures included melanoma, non-melanoma, and atypical nevi skin excisions, cryotherapy, KOH scrapes, Blu Light photodynamic therapy, skin biopsies, electrodessication and curettage, narrow band UVB light treatments.
  • Special interest in management of psoriatic patients with biologic agents when appropriate.

August 2000 – August 2004
Certified Physician Assistant
Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
Internal Medicine Clinic and Anticoagulation Clinic
Birmingham, AL

  • Evaluated and treated medically complex  patients in  busy hospital based  Internal Medicine Clinic.
  • Independently performed detailed medical histories and complete physical examinations on new patients, ordered and interpreted appropriate radiographic and laboratory studies, integrated findings, formulated diagnostic and therapeutic plans.
  • Reassessed patients as ongoing primary care provider, referring to supervising physician when appropriate.
  • Established the hospital’s first ambulatory Anticoagulation Clinic and educated hospital clinicians on current evidence-based recommendations for anticoagulation.
  • Developed individualized patient treatment plans for outpatient anticoagulation, ordered and interpreted laboratory tests for anemia, hemophilia, and heparin induced thrombocytopenia.
  • Screened high risk patients for thrombophilia.
  • Planned LMWH bridge therapy for surgery patients. Supervised and evaluated clinic staff.

November 1997 – April 2000
Certified Physician Assistant
Federal Correctional Institution
Talladega, AL

  • Provided high quality medical care to inmates at a medium security level federal prison as a member of a two physician, nine PA team, and as a solo clinician on nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Performed comprehensive new patient histories and physical examinations and provided ongoing care for patients.
  • Correctional environment provided excellent opportunity to diagnose and treat a broad variety of dermatologic conditions.
  • Served as Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Chairperson, Acting Supervisory PA, and Annual Refreshner Training Instructor.
  • Taught BLS aid Medical Emergencies to institutional staff.
  • Received Outstanding Service Award for developing two new institutional programs: Patient Education and Cancer Screening.

January 1997 – May 1997
Certified Physician Assistant
Tifton Woman’s Center
Tifton, GA

  • Treated uncomplicated and high-risk obstetric patients in a busy South Georgia OB GYN clinic.
  • Duties included new OB history and physical examinations, postpartum visits, and first assisting with cesarean Sections and tubal ligations, pelvic examinations, wet preps, cervical cultures, STD screening and counseling, family planning, hormone replacement therapy management, pre-op history and physical evaluation, endometrial biopsy, assisting with urodynamics, first assisting with vaginal hysterectomies.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

  • Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
  • American Academy of Physician Assistants
  • Georgia Association of Physician Assistants
  • Admissions Committee, Emory University Physician Assistant Program
  • Allied Health Honor Council Representative, Emory University

HONOR AND AWARDS

  • Outstanding Performance Recognition, Cooper tureen Mercy Hospital., 2002
  • Outstanding Service Award, Federal Correctional Institution, 2000
    Awarded Grand Prize for best article published in 1998, Physician Assistant magazine
  • National Health Service Corps Scholarship Recipient
  • Recognized by Emory Progress and Promotions Committee, 1995, 1996
  • Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society

PUBLICATIONS

  • Kitchens, HQ. Recognition and Management of Elder Abuse. Physician Assistant. 1998;22(4).58-72.
  • Awarded Grand Prize for beset article published in 1998, Physician Assistant.
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