Shien-Lin S. Garrett
Physician Assistant in Dermatology

PAs in Dermatology

Certified physician assistants (PA-C) are medical providers formally trained in primary care, graduating from one of over 100 accredited academic training programs in the United States. Mrs. Garrett graduated from the Physician Assistant program at the University of Southern California School of Medicine with honors.

Before beginning her education as a PA, she has worked as an Emergency Medical Technician/ Lab Technician/ Physical Therapist aide for 5 years at South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, CA. Upon entering the PA program, she received "medical model" schooling for 24 months, but her education does not stop there:

To remain nationally certified, Mrs. Garrett will complete 100 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) every 2 years, and pass a national recertification examination every 6 years.

While just under half of the 30,000 physician assistants nationwide remain in primary care, the rest can be found in every medical and surgical specialty, including dermatology.

Physician assistants have been practicing with dermatologists for 20 years, providing a wide variety of services, including diagnosis, prescription, ordering and interpreting lab tests, biopsies, wound suturing, and medical or surgical treatment of a wide variety of clinical pathology. As with all physician assistants, dermatology PAs are legally and ethically bound to practice only under supervision by their employing physician.

Starting with her primary care training and experience, Mrs. Garrett has studied dermatology in a variety of ways, including on-the-job with dermatologists, through dermatology lectures and seminars, attendance at the American Academy of Dermatology education conferences, tumor board meetings, and computer/home-study courses. Mrs. Garrett has done volunteer work in underserved areas, such as downtown Los Angeles. She is also teaching in the Physician Assistant program at the USC School of Medicine. Mrs. Garrett has had a great deal of experience in laser surgery, cutaneous surgery, sclerotherapy, chemical peels, Botox injections and acne treatment.

Mrs. Garrett is a member of the following professional organizations:

Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
American Academy of Physician Assistants
California Academy of Physician Assistants

More information about physician assistants in general can be found on the World Wide Web at the American Academy of PAs.
Dermatology PA information

« Home