New WHS Family Medicine Physician Assistant Ready to Provide Care in Her Hometown

By Andrew Wilson

As a social person with a love for medicine, Kate DuCarme, MPAS, PA-C, believes she has found a perfect fit for her interests and skills.

“Being a physician assistant is the perfect combination for me,” said the new family medicine physician assistant for Washington Health System’s California Family Medicine practice. “I love learning and I love people.”

Physician assistants (soon to be referred known as physician associates) are licensed healthcare providers who practice medicine in collaboration with a physician and other members of the healthcare team. Specific duties vary depending on the specialty area, but typically include examining, diagnosing, creating and managing patient care plans, and prescribing medication or therapy for the patients they see.

DuCarme says that one of the aspects of family medicine that she is most looking forward to is the opportunity to treat patients of all ages.

“That’s the joy of family medicine,” she said. “Family medicine providers treat patients in all stages of life.”

Of course, the challenge of family medicine is that a practitioner may treat a child in one exam room and a more senior person in the next. Even if both patients happen to be suffering from the same illness, their conditions, and subsequently the treatments, may vary depending due to their age and overall health.

It’s a challenge that DuCarme is relishing. 

“It definitely keeps you on your toes,” said DuCarme. “While I was growing up, I was one of those people who wanted to do everything. At various times, I thought of journalism or dance choreography (as a possible career), but health sciences began to appeal to me as I neared high school graduation.”

Born and raised in Washington County and a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, DuCarme graduated magna cum laude from Gannon University in Erie, Pa., with a B.S. in health science, and a master’s degree in physician assistant science. As part of the master’s program, she completed specialty rotations in internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, pediatrics, oncology, orthopedics, and family medicine. 

The rotations were at different practices, mostly throughout western Pennsylvania, but the oncology rotation was at The University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She came to appreciate not just the similarities and differences in the various specialties but also the value of working with so many different medical professionals.

“I think one of the best parts is the variety in the experience that I was able to gain,” she said. “You learn to care not only for the patient’s condition that you’re treating, but you may also have knowledge of where to send them for treatment of an additional issue.”

Her oncology experience taught her the value of preventive screenings and she encourages patients to undergo those screenings when they are due to be done. She understands that no one wants to hear that they have cancer, but she tries to impress upon her patients that if cancer is detected early, it usually can be treated more effectively and successfully.

As a lifelong Washington County resident working at WHS, DuCarme is cognizant that many of her patients may be familiar to her as neighbors, friends, or family members of friends. She is looking forward to that.

“I think if people are familiar to me that can be an advantage because it allows me to have a more comprehensive picture of their overall health. I have an even better understanding of how their current condition is impacting their life and how their life is impacting their condition,” she said. However, whether neighbor or stranger, DuCarme believes her training has taught her to be diligent in her work.

“Symptoms don’t come from nowhere,” she said. “I was taught that if things aren’t making sense, you may need to dig a little deeper (to find the reason for the symptoms).”

An avid reader, DuCarme belongs to a book club that meets regularly and also is active in the local community, volunteering for a few after school programs for kids. She teaches dance at some of these programs, which allows her to follow the path of one of her mentors.

“One of my former dance teachers is one of my mentors,” she said. “I find her admirable because she is so committed to her work. She is always reading and learning new techniques to be the best teacher she can be.”

It’s a character trait that DuCarme has taken to heart.

“I try to read as much as I can about medicine, so that I can learn new strategies for caring for my patients and for being the best version of myself,” she said, adding that the ultimate goal she has is to help her patients become better educated about their health. “I want to be an advocate for my patients and empower them to take charge of their own health.” 

Washington Health System Family Medicine - California has been providing quality care to southwestern Pennsylvania since 2004. The board-certified physicians and advanced health practitioners are dedicated to providing medical care which is specifically tailored to your needs and the needs of your family. Located at 300 Technology Drive, Coal Center, PA, you can contact them at 724-938-7466 or visit on the web at whs.org/fmcalifornia.