301: [UNICORN] Caring for Our Youngest Patients - A Conversation with a NICU PA

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Neonatal PA? Have you dreamed of working in the NICU but don’t know where to start? My guest today is here to answer all those questions and more!

Lex Mastro is a Neonatal PA and currently the Division of Newborn Medicine Advanced Practice Provider Supervisor and Associate Director of the Advanced Practice Provider Neonatology Fellowship Program. After graduating PA school, Lex initially worked in a surgical subspeciality but then found a passion for neonatology. She completed a postgraduate neonatology fellowship program and has since worked in a variety of NICU settings. 

In today’s episode, Lex discusses the value of postgraduate fellowship programs and how to decide if one is right for you. We also discuss how to become comfortable as a provider in complex, high risk situations as well as the importance of emotional intelligence. Lex and I also talk about how providers can improve healthcare access and address healthcare disparities so that we can provide better care to our patients. 

I’m excited to share this episode so you can learn not only what it’s like to be a NICU PA, but also how to improve your own practice, whatever specialty that may be. 

SPONSORS

AAPA Job Source: aapa.org/pajobsource

Freed AI [DISCOUNT CODE: PA50] https://www.getfreed.ai

CONNECT WITH LEX

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-lex-mastro-712095341

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 

• Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs (APPAP)

• https://www.appap.org/

• 2024 March of Dimes Report Card

• https://www.marchofdimes.org/report-card

• Social media kit for 2024 report card: https://socialpresskit.com/march-of-dimes#march-of-dimes-report-card-2024

• Full Report Card: https://www.marchofdimes.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/2024_MOD_Report_Card_and_Policy_Actions_Booklet_V1.pdf

• Abbreviated Card in English: https://www.marchofdimes.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/US_Report_Card_2024_English.pdf

• Social Determinants of Health Resources

• https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople

• https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health

• Health Center Resources

• https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about-health-center-program/what-health-center

• Find a Health Center: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

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