Suzanne received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the
University of Colorado in 2000 where she worked as an athletic trainer
for collegiate athletes from 1998 to 2001. In 2001, she joined the
University of Washington’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics as a
certified intern athletic trainer for the women’s gymnastics team.
To
combine her passion for athletics and medicine, Suzanne returned to
school to become a PA. She completed her masters of medical science at
St. Francis University and became board certified as a physician
assistant in 2005. Her experience and education assist her in providing
diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare to individuals who
strive to stay active.
What do you most enjoy about your work?I
enjoy sharing in the progressive care that a patient experiences; from
their time of injury, through the operative and rehabilitative phases,
and finally to their complete return to activity. The trials and
successes that an individual encounters along the “road to recovery”
can be tiresome and yet exciting. I enjoy sharing in their experience
and having the opportunity to provide encouragement and
congratulations. I undoubtedly love the science of evaluating,
treating, and rehabilitating an athletic injury, but more importantly,
it is so gratifying to individually work with each patient to reach
their goals and help them return to their particular level of activity.
Additionally, it is a privilege to be part of such a
dynamic, motivated, and established environment at the University of
Washington. Being in an academic setting allows me to be involved in
the latest and future medical advances that will benefit patients. It
has much to offer in the way of patient care, education, and research;
three facets of medicine that I am enthusiastic about.
What is your treatment philosophy?
As
a PA, I value the team approach to medicine. The collaboration between
PAs, physicians, residents, nurses and other medical staff can
dramatically improve the quality of care received by the patient. The
interdependent relationship between an experienced, specially trained
orthopedic surgeon and PA ensures continuity of patient healthcare,
commitment to personalized treatment, and makes certain patients will
have greater access to care. The goal of this team is to magnify the
efficiency and safety in the clinic and operating room, and to make
certain the patient is receiving superior and quality care.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
My husband and I enjoy outdoor activities with our dog,
appreciate good music and food, and dream of traveling. I try to
balance my life in medicine with creative pursuits by baking,
gardening, attempting to sew, and dabbling in photography.
What is the focus of your teaching efforts?
I feel that a majority of my teaching responsibility is to the
patient and their family. Trying to understand an injury, its short
and long term effects, and its treatment can be confusing for
individuals. I believe a patient who is accurately informed will
become active participates in their own healthcare, and it is those
individuals who will have a better recovery.
In addition, my
goal is to make learning opportunities available and accessible to
future and current PA students, medical students, and residents. This
is made possible by organizing and managing the University of
Washington Arthroscopy Research and Training (ART) Laboratory. This
lab is a base for research projects and hands-on education, dedicated
to the study of injuries treated with arthroscopic surgery.
What is the focus of your clinical efforts?
My
role in the clinic is to further extend the care that Dr. Wahl provides
and offer a team approach to medicine that is consistent, dependable,
and accurate. I am committed to making our healthcare services more
accessible to our patients. It is my priority to take the time to
address the needs, questions, and concerns that individuals have,
especially during the peri-operative time. I strive to be sincerely
acquainted with the individual, not just their injury.
Suzanne Slaney’s Contact Information:
UW Sports Medicine Center: (206) 543-1552 or web site.
Eastside Specialty Center (425) 646-7777 or web site.