Brickley served on our BV Derm team as a medical assistant before returning to school to complete her Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) at Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences in Emory, Virginia. She graduated in 2022.

What is the most important thing you learned during your time as a medical assistant?
The most important thing I learned was how to be a passionate provider. Watching the providers at BV Derm interact with patients was influential in my understanding of patient-provider interaction. They care deeply about providing excellent patient care, and simply being good human beings. They are all wonderful providers, and I am grateful for their mentorship. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from them.

Do you have any memories you’d like to share about your time with BV Derm?
There have been so many fun-filled and wonderful days working at BV Derm. I have made life- long friendships with my co-workers. There are many memories I will cherish, but mostly I will look back on my time at BV Derm and remember how much I laughed with those around me. Work can be tough sometimes, but the people here brought me such joy and happiness. I will certainly miss them all.

What did you learn from the team at BV Derm?
A lot of my success in PA school, and now in practice, can be attributed to those years at BV Derm. The medical knowledge I gained as a medical assistant has greatly helped my practice. Maybe more important, however, was the experience I gained working in a busy office. Those skills were transferable to every setting of medicine, or life in general!

What are you doing now?
Currently I am a family practice PA at Yampa Valley Medical Associates in Steamboat Springs. I was seriously considering specializing but then I had my family medicine rotation and fell in love with it! Like in dermatology, I see all ages – from newborns to the older population. I am very happy.

What advice would you give to those contemplating a career in medicine?
My words of wisdom for those graduating college would be to not set on any particular path. I came into BV Derm wanting to be a doctor but left very excited for a career as a PA. I’ve seen people change their plans after starting at BV Derm, and that is what the experience is for. Most importantly, don’t give up on your goals. BV Derm is a great place to gain experience that will benefit you for years to come.