The Physician Assistant
What is PA?
Your PA is a new and highly qualified health care professional who works 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.
Jennifer Cates, PA-C
Jennifer has worked with North Coast Family Medical Group since 1985, first as a medical assistant and now as a Physician Assistant. In 1993 she began her Physician Assistant clinical training under direct supervision of the NCFMG physicians. She graduated from UC Davis Family Nurse practitioner/Physician Assistant Program. Jennifer is licensed by the Physician Assistant examining committee, a division of the Medical Board of California. She is a member of the American Associations and California Association of Physician Assistants. She has special interests in womens health and menopause. Jennifer lives in Carlsbad with her husband and her yellow lab. She has 2 adult children and enjoys athletics & growing orchids.
 Julie Geimer, PA-C
Julie Geimer is a San Diego native who moved to Idaho at age eighteen. Julie graduated from Idaho Sate University (ISU) in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education and Psychology. She returned to ISU in 1997 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in the Physician Assistant Program. Julie was awarded the Academic Coordinator’s Achievement Honor for her graduating class. She returned to San Diego and joined North Coast Family Medical Group in January 2010. Julie is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is licensed in the State of California as a Physician Assistant. She is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Julie lives in Encinitas with her husband and two lab-mix “babies.” She enjoys hiking, biking and spending time with her two grown children, four grandchildren and extended family. She is very happy to be home in San Diego.
 Amber McMahon, PA-C
Amber McMahon is a certified Physician Assistant who enjoys family practice and the continuity of care at all ages. She graduated with a BS in Biology from the University of California, San Diego. In 2000 Amber was awarded honors for her thesis, received her Master’s Degree in Medical Science and Physician Associate certificate from the Yale School of Medicine. She has worked in family medicine since 2001 and joined North Coast Family Medical Group in 2005. Amber is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the California Academy of Physician Assistants. She enjoys skiing, jogging, travel, and spending time with friends, family and above all, her husband and daughters.
 Linda Magness, PA-C
Linda was born and raised in San Francisco, California. In 1997, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University. She worked for ten years in inpatient physical therapy, before attending school to become a Physician Assistant. In 2006, she graduated from the Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Program, at the University of California, Davis. Linda is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and licensed in the State of California as a Physician Assistant. She is a member of the California Academy of Physician Assistants, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Linda and her husband moved to the San Diego area in 2006. Happy to call this place her home, she enjoys running on the beach, wines, and traveling.
"I strive to create a comfortable environment for my patients. Its important to me to be approachable, to be a good listener, and to educate my patients as much as possible. By doing this, I try to create a partnership with my patients to promote their health and well being."
Mara Snee, PA-C
Mara is a certified physician assistant who enjoys providing complete care to various age groups in family practice. Mara received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Mathematics in 2003 from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Upon returning to Southern California, Mara gained entrance to and completed her Masters in Physician Assistant Practice at the University of Southern California. She has been working in family practice since graduating in 2007. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is licensed to practice in the state of California. Mara is a member of the California Academy of Physician Assistants and continues to serve as an alumni representative for incoming PA students at USC. “Prevention of disease and educating patients are my passions in medicine.” In her spare time, Mara enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, cooking and collecting wine. Mara is an athlete and loves cycling, running and golf.
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