Physician Assistant [PA]

A Physician’s Assistant is a health care professional licensed to see patients with the supervision of a doctor. They often see patients in the clinical environment as well as assisting doctors in surgery.

Their education consists of specialized programming by accredited universities dedicated to becoming a Physician Assistant. Programs may be completed in either the bachelor’s stage of education or the masters. Upon completion of the coursework, candidates must pass an exam to become certified. After becoming certified, they are required to obtain a high number of continuing education hours each year. In order to retain the PA-C designation, they must also take a recertification exam every six years.

The Physician Assistants at Midwest Orthopaedic Center have all gone through training to specialize in orthopaedic medicine. Each of our doctors works closely with their PA to provide the very best care for our patients.

Physician Assistants are often members of two main groups. They are the American Academy of Physician Assistants [AAPA] and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants [IAPA]. You will find that many of our Physician Assistants are members of these associations.

Midwest Orthopaedic Center Physician Assistants

Jeff Roberts – PA-C

Jeff Roberts has been working at Midwest Orthopaedic Center with Dr. Michael Gibbons for a number of years. He hales from Chester, West Virginia. Roberts has received a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He went on to achieve his Master of Science in Physician’s Assistant Studies from Finch University Health Sciences and Chicago Medical School in North Chicago.

Mr. Roberts is a member of NATA, AAPA, and GLATA. He is credentialed to practice at all three Peoria Area hospitals.

Dorcas Ogle – PA-C

Dorcas Ogle is the Physician Assistant to Dr. Jeffrey Akeson. Originally from Longansport, Indiana, she received her undergraduate education at Indiana State University in Exercise Science. She continued her education at the University of Saint Francis, where she received her masters in Physician Assistant Studies.

Ms. Ogle is a member of AAPA. She is credentialed to practice at all three Peoria Area hospitals.

Andrew Reese –PA-C

Andrew Reese is the Physician Assistant to Dr. Thomas Mulvey. He is a Heart of Illinois native from Eureka. He has been with the Center for a number of years. He graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana in Health Science with a major of Physician Assistant.

Mr. Reese is a member of AAPA and the IAPA. He is credentialed to practice at all three Peoria Area hospitals.

Ben Holman – PA-C

Ben Holman is the Physician Assistant to Dr. Brent Johnson. He has been working with Dr. Johnson for several years.

Ben, a Central Illinois native, grew up in Eureka and calls the Peoria Area home. He attended Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. He graduated from Butler in 2006 with his Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a major in Physician Assistant Studies. Ben then was successfully certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is an active member today. He is also a Fellow Member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and is credentialed to practice at all three Peoria Area hospitals.

Peter Merrell – PA-C

Peter Merrell is the Physician Assistant to Dr. James Williams and Dr. John Mahoney. Originally from Provo, Utah, he received his degree in Human Biology from Brigham Young University. He continued his education at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he received a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Additionally, he completed an internship at several Chicago area hospitals in the area of multi-specialty surgery.

Mr. Merrell is a member of AAPA. He is credentialed to practice at all three Peoria Area hospitals.

Laura Bade – PA-C

Laura Bade is the Physician Assistant to Dr. Daniel Mulconrey and Dr. Nirain D’Souza. She started her medical career as a registered nurse, earning her Bachelor of Science of Nursing from Illinois State University. She then continued her education at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania where she earned her Masters of Medical Science.

Laura is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is credentialed to practice at all three Peoria Area hospitals.

Brandon Gale – PA-C

Brandon Gale is the Physician Assistant to Dr. Michael Merkley. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Illinois State University. He continued his education and completed his Masters of Medical Science at St. Louis University in 2008.

Brandon is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He is credentialed to practice at all three Peoria Area hospitals.