PA Leadership Series: Jennifer Orozco, PA-C

I’m SOOO excited to introduce this next person!

Jennifer Orozco is the Director of Advanced Practice Providers at Rush University, a Vascular Surgery PA, PA Faculty member, serves in her state PA Association (IAPA), serves as Director at Large for AAPA, and is an all-around awesome person. She and I first met briefly at the Executive Leadership Conference and since then have kept in contact, and I’m so thankful we have. Her passionate, driven personality is immediately apparent, and it’s clear she is a true advocate for our profession! She is another wonderful example of a PA leader, and more, she is a fantastic example of how PAs can be Empowered.

Tell us a little about yourself? Name, how long you’ve been a PA, where you went to school, and anything else you’d like to add.

I graduated from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL and have been a PA in vascular surgery for 16 years. Prior to my current role as Director of APPs, I was the Director of Clinical Education for the Rush Department of PA Studies and the Director of PA Clinical Practice for Medical Affairs, which helped solidify both the PA program and the APP role at Rush. In addition, I am intimately involved in PA advocacy and policy on both the state and national level in regards to the role and utilization of APPs.

What is your role as a leader? (entrepreneurial, administrative, academic, political, etc.)

I wear several hats as a PA including my role as a PA Administrator, Vascular Surgery PA, PA faculty and PA Advocate. In my role as Director, I am responsible for the leadership, oversight and strategy for over 320 PAs and APRNs (collectively known as APPs) across the healthcare system. Additionally I serve as PA faculty in the Rush PA program and practice as a vascular surgery PA several times a month. Outside of work, I am passionate about advancement of the PA profession and serve as Legislative Chair of the Illinois Academy of PAs and Director at Large for the American Academy of PAs. We have a long way to go to gain the respect and recognition of the PA role across the US and my hope is with the implementation of Optimal Team Practice and the collective efforts of PAs and PA organizations, we will get there.    

What does your typical day look like?

In addition to my PA roles, I am also a mom of three so my day is pretty crazy! I commute on the train to downtown Chicago and then my day is usually packed with meetings across the system. From meetings about day to day operations to participating in overall system strategy discussions, it can be a pretty packed day. Even though it’s packed, it feels great to have an APP voice at the table.

If you are clinical, how is your practice set up? What is the structure and what is your relationship with your supervising collaborating physician like?

Since I mainly practice only a few times per month now, my practice is in the outpatient vascular surgery clinic. I have my own clinic and will only contact my collaborating physician if it’s needed. Otherwise, I see both new, return and post-operative vascular surgery patients as I have for many years.

*Total sidenote, I LOVE that Jenn crossed out the term “supervising”. Legally, in my state, the collaborating physician is still referred to as “supervising physician” so out of habit, I still use this term! Old habits die hard, but it’s important to use progressive terminology if we want to make any change! I will make a point to use the term “collaborative” more often! -C

Do you divide your time into clinical and administrative tasks?

It’s tough. The beauty of being administrative is that I have more flexibility, but when I have clinic it can be tough. My administrative work doesn’t stop so I’m usually7 dealing with administrative issues even while I’m in the clinic. Recently, I’ve started to put an out of office reply on my email that says I’m practicing clinically today and only available for emergencies. That seems to give me some balance.

Did you pursue a leadership role or was it offered to you?

I would have to say a little bit of both. I always knew I wanted to work in a formal leadership role and was often looking for opportunities of advancement outside my clinical practice. I didn’t always seek just PA leadership opportunities but looked for any way to be involved at the institution at a higher level. Eventually after many years of work, I was asked to step in as the Interim Director and then ultimately assumed the full role.

How did you prepare for your role? Did you take any leadership courses?

As I described above, I became involved in as many things as I could. From committees to projects, I tried to learn as much about healthcare systems operations as I could so I could be a better leader. Additionally, I looked for opportunities to develop my leadership skills. One turning point for me was that I attended the Cleveland Clinic’s Executive PA leadership conference. This conference led by PA Josanne Pagel, really helped me solidify the direction of my career path. Since then, I try to find different types of leadership conferences to attend each year. Many are offered by AAPA or other national APP organizations and allow me the opportunity to network and learn from other leaders.

Do you have room or opportunities to grow in your current leadership position?

Yes absolutely. I am always looking at ways to take the next step. The sky’s the limit. I often tell PAs they should apply for positions not usually filled or offered to PAs. You would be surprised how many actually land them. Employers want great leaders with clinical background. If you have the skills, it doesn’t ultimately matter your board certification or degree. 

Are you satisfied with your position? If you could do it all over again, would you?

Yes, very satisfied. This position allows be to feel as though I’m making a difference as a PA and allows me to collaborate with others to develop the future for all APPs across the system. If I could do it again, I would. 

Do you think PAs are adequately educated about how to be a leader? If not, do you have any suggestions on what should be taught?

No I do not. I think we need to add opportunities for PA students outside the clinical arena and offer more flexibility to those students to finish their education while simultaneously becoming leaders. I also believe we need to develop programs, not necessarily degree programs, that are affordable for all PAs and can be tailored to their interests. From administration, to clinical medicine, to public health to business. We need to create flexible pathways online that allow PAs to gain these important leadership skills at a time and place that works for them and their life.

Do you have any suggestions for newly graduated PAs interested in becoming leaders in their community?

My suggest is that the sky is the limit! Always seek needed opportunities even if you think you aren’t qualified. You never know what can happen until you ask and the worst someone can say is no. Ultimately find your passion and be passionate about it. Talk about it, be visible and let your voice be heard.

Anything else you’d like to add?

As PAs we need to start talking about how great we are. It’s a hard thing for all of us to do but we need to start talking about it with everyone else outside ourselves. Patients need to hear it. Physicians need to hear it. Everyone needs to hear it. Educate yourself about Optimal Team Practice (OTP) so you can talk about it easily. It’s time for PAs to take back control of their profession and allow us to do what we do best…practice medicine.

Where can we find out more?

• Website: PowerofthePA.com
• Facebook page: Power of the PA
• Instagram: Power of the PA
• LinkedIn: Jennifer Orozco

I want to thank Jenn for her contribution to our introductory leadership blog series. She has a passion for seeing the PA profession advance, and her dedication shows in everything she does. I think it is safe to say she and I will be teaming up on future endeavors, so stay tuned!

-C