Dr. Stephen Vela
Farr West,UT
Summary
Dynamic PA professional with solid experience in primary care, occupational medicine, mental health, leadership, and educator roles. Adept at implementing clinical plans for patients and junior providers, driving quality and empathetic patient care. Skilled in clinic management and hospital staff relations. Collaborative and dedicated to building and leading talented and motivated individuals. Outstanding mentor and educator.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CEO
Stevel Nexus Consulting, LLC
10.2023 - Current
- Implemented strategic plans that drove company growth and streamlined operations.
- Negotiated contract terms to manage partnerships and resolve conflicts effectively.
- Developed operational initiatives that sustained significant business growth over time.
- Executed marketing campaigns and public relations efforts that enhanced brand reputation.
- Led research team in sourcing peer-reviewed scientific articles for Nexus letters.
- Established personalized client consultation service to navigate VA disability process.
- Achieved greater than 98% approval rate.
Deputy Branch Chief, Clinical Engineering and Sust
United States Air Force
08.2022 - 03.2025
- Implemented new protocols and employee crosstalk, enhancing branch productivity.
- Increased industry knowledge through proactive outreach to medical equipment manufacturers.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with Air Force medical logistics policies.
- Drove over $100 million in medical equipment acquisitions for the Air Force and Space Force.
Air Force Primary Care PA Consultant
United States Air Force
05.2023 - 06.2024
- Managed relationships with PA and medical centers through regular updates on recommendations and policy changes.
- Counseled and mentored over 400 Air Force Primary Care PAs to enhance professional development.
- Educated new PAs on effective patient interactions and inter-office collaboration.
- Facilitated communication between PAs and hospital leadership to resolve credentialing challenges.
Warrior Operational Medicine Clinic Flight Command
United States Air Force
08.2019 - 08.2022
- Directed 58 medical staff members in delivering quality care to military patients and medical advice to commanders.
- Managed clinic operations and maintained a personal four-day weekly patient care schedule.
- Oversaw training, evaluations, and performance feedback for personnel.
- Authored medical evaluation board summaries and aeromedical waivers to ensure duty readiness.
Director, IPAP Phase II Clinical Training
Interservice PA Program (IPAP)
06.2015 - 08.2019
- Achieved 100% graduation rate for PA students through effective work environment cultivation and active mentorship.
- Graduated 54 PA students, with 52 passing PANCE on first attempt and 2 on second.
- Enhanced collaboration among PA students and hospital staff via regular communication and goal-setting.
- Established culture of continuous improvement by encouraging student questions and ideas.
- Administered end-of-rotation exams, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, and Master's theses.
- Provided hands-on patient care training in primary care medicine to PA students.
- Collaborated with UNMC, UC Davis, Samuel Merrit, and Touro University PA programs to provide clinical training to PA students as an Adjunct Professor.
Flight Medicine PA
United States Air Force
07.2012 - 06.2015
- Delivered high-quality patient care and occupational medicine examinations for military aviators, firefighters, and security police for 1500 patients.
- Collaborated with network specialists to evaluate and treat patients effectively.
- Ordered and interpreted radiographs, CTs, MRIs, PET scans, labs, ECGs, and PFTs to ensure accurate diagnoses.
Family Medicine Physician Assistant
United States Air Force
09.2008 - 07.2012
- Counseled patients on lifestyle modifications and disease management, promoting preventative healthcare measures.
- Performed and interpreted diagnostic tests to support routine and emergent patient care.
- Delivered high-quality care to over 5,000 patients, ensuring optimal health outcomes.
Education
Doctor of Medical Science - Psychiatry
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Provo, UT08-2024
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Interservice Physician Assistant Program
Eglin AFB, FL09-2008
Bachelor of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Interservice Physician Assistant Program
Ft Sam Houston, TX08-2007
Skills
- Effective decision making
- Operational excellence
- Customer focus
- Strategic visioning
- Crisis management
- Global perspective
- Talent development
- Inspirational leadership
- Relationship and team building
- Leadership and people development
- Employee motivation and performance
- Effective communicator and public speaker
Accomplishments
- Achieved a 3.97 GPA in DMSc while working full-time in the Air Force and part-time writing Nexus letters.
- Supervised a team of more than 50 staff members as clinic commander at three different locations.
- Formulated succesful education plan for a student having difficulty with material and patient interactions.
- Served as a clinical coordinator and preceptor for four different PA programs, graduated 54 PA students.
- Led the Society of Air Force PAs as president, director-at-large, and HOD representative for four years.
- Experienced lecturer to conference attendees.
Certification
NCCPA certified through 2034.
Licensed in Utah and Virginia.
Three-time Preceptor of the Year award winner
IPAP graduates three classes of PA students per year, and each class chooses its preceptor of the year upon graduation.
Timeline
CEO
Stevel Nexus Consulting, LLC
10.2023 - Current
Air Force Primary Care PA Consultant
United States Air Force
05.2023 - 06.2024
Deputy Branch Chief, Clinical Engineering and Sust
United States Air Force
08.2022 - 03.2025
Warrior Operational Medicine Clinic Flight Command
United States Air Force
08.2019 - 08.2022
Director, IPAP Phase II Clinical Training
Interservice PA Program (IPAP)
06.2015 - 08.2019
Flight Medicine PA
United States Air Force
07.2012 - 06.2015
Family Medicine Physician Assistant
United States Air Force
09.2008 - 07.2012
Doctor of Medical Science - Psychiatry
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Interservice Physician Assistant Program
Bachelor of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Interservice Physician Assistant Program
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