Physician Assistants (PA)

What are Physician Assistants?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are highly qualified health care professionals who work under the supervision of your doctor.

What does a PA do?

Your PA may evaluate you by taking your medical history, doing physical examination, and ordering laboratory studies or x-rays, and will be involved in treating you. Your PA concentrates on treating the more commonly found illnesses and medical problems, and will consult with or have you see your doctor whenever it is necessary. This team approach helps you get the best possible care and keeps medical costs down.

Quality Care

Your doctor can vouch for the high quality of care your PA gives. Most important, so can the patients. Many government and private studies show that PAs give care equal in quality to that of physicians in the same setting. This is possible since your PA is well-trained, is working with your doctor as part of a team, and because your PA will probably be able to spend more time with you than your doctor can.

Training and Licensure

All Physician Assistants in this state must be licensed and pass a rigorous national examination before they are allowed to practice. They must be graduates of state-approved programs located in or associated with medical schools. Their training is intensive and broad, with an emphasis on direct patient care.

Kelly Sales, PA-C

Kelly Sales is a certified Physician Assistant who enjoys treating the entire family, from infancy to adulthood. She graduated from Weill Cornell Medical School Physician Assistant Program in 2007, receiving honors for her clinical work. She moved from the East coast to California in 2007 and has worked in family medicine and pediatrics since then. Kelly joined North Coast Family Medical Group in 2015. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the California Academy of Physician Assistants. She enjoys hiking, snowboarding, travel and above all, spending time with her husband, two young children, and friends.

Amber McMahon, PA-C

Amber McMahon is a certified Physician Assistant that has been working in Family Medicine for 20 years. She believes in providing thorough and compassionate care and helping patients achieve wellness with preventative medicine and lifestyle changes. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UCSD and received her Master of Medical Science and Physician Associate training through Yale School of Medicine. In her spare time, Amber enjoys giving back to the community volunteering through school and church organizations. She loves traveling, skiing, and beach days spent with her husband and two daughters.

Julie (Geimer) Palmer, PA-C

Julie (Geimer) Palmer received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English and Psychology from Idaho State University, at Pocatello, Idaho, in 1989, returning to get her BS degree in Physician Assistant studies in 1999. Julie spent the first several years of her career practicing in Boise, Idaho, before moving back to California to be closer to family. Julie loves spending time outdoors, especially when she can be in the sunshine or at the beach. After spending much of her adult life dealing with snowy winters, she tries to appreciate each sunny day. She has two grown children and six grandchildren and always enjoys spending time with them. They keep her young! Julie also enjoys daily walks with her sweet Lucy, a schnauzer mix rescue, who never fails to make her laugh.

Julie Robinson, PA-C

Julie Robinson was born and raised in the Chicago area and graduated from Butler University PA school in 2015. As a certified physician associate, she spent several years working in downtown Chicago urgent care and emergency room settings. PA Robinson is transitioning to the long-term relationships that get established in Family Medicine. Having developed a passion for acute care medicine, her interests include women’s health, orthopedics and preventive medicine. In her free time, she loves to be outside in the sunshine: hiking, running or walking on the beach.

Samantha Noel, PA-C

Samantha Noel is a certified Physician Assistant (PA) who has previous experience in gastroenterology. She is passionate about preventative medicine and empowering patients through education and shared decision-making. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from UCLA and Master of Health Science from the Drexel University PA Program in Philadelphia. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Associates and the California Academy of Physician Associates. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring national parks, reading, and spending time with her family.