Stephanie Collins

Stephanie, a Jacksonville local has been a part of Dr. Brink's team at Beaches Ear, Nose and Throat for several years. After graduating from Bishop Kenny High School, Stephanie went on to graduate summa cum laude and earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of North Florida in 2002. She then attended Philadelphia University in Pennsylvania receiving her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2004.

Stephanie is certified by the NCCPA and maintains her Physician Assistant licensure for the State of Florida.

Her otolaryngology interests include: diseases of the outer and middle ear, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis and cancer of the head and neck.

In her free time Stephanie enjoys running, playing with her dogs and spending time with her family. She looks forward to taking care of the members of the Jacksonville and Beaches communities.

What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants (PAs) provide healthcare services under the supervision of physicians. They should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x rays, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. After diagnosing a problem, the PA develops and implements a treatment plan in consultation with the supervising physician. Patient education and counseling are important aspects of a PA's function. PAs advise patients on preventive health care as well as the treatment and management of health problems. A Physician Assistant may, under the supervision of a licensed physician, perform any and all services which are (a) within the competence of the physician assistant in question, as determined by the supervising physician's assessment, and (b) within the scope of service for which the supervising physician can provide adequate supervision to ensure that accepted standards of medical practice are followed. A supervising physician may supervise two physician assistants at any one time. Many PAs work in primary care areas such as otolaryngology - head and neck surgery (ear, nose and throat), general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine. Others work in specialty areas, such as general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide pre- and postoperative care, and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery.