Elizabeth Christ
Columbus,OH
Summary
Healthcare professional with frontline experience and a strong commitment to quality improvement and patient safety. Skilled at combining data-informed decision-making with provider and caregiver perspectives to identify safety risks, improve workflows, and support better patient outcomes. Brings a practical understanding of clinical operations, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the human factors that influence safe, high-quality care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Orthopedic Physician Assistant
OSU Wexner Medical Center
02.2021 - Current
- Managed an independent outpatient orthopedic trauma clinic with a strong focus on: patient safety, complication prevention, wound care optimization, quality improvement for high-risk postoperative and trauma patients
- Performed clinical assessments, ordered and interpreted labs and imaging, managed medications, and supported timely follow-up care.
- Leveraged EPIC documentation tools, order sets, smart phrases, and shortcuts to streamline clinical workflows and support safe patient management.
- Communicated effectively with multidisciplinary team members to coordinate care, enhance patient safety, and support optimal clinical results to: improve care transitions, coordinate complex surgical planning, and reduce risk for preventable complications.
- Served as inpatient first assist for complex orthopedic cases and limb salvage procedures.
- Supported safe perioperative care and continuity across inpatient and outpatient settings by optimizing orthopedic resident education handbook leveraging IHIS/Epic tools/shortcuts while also outlining best practices for our patients.
- Founded the annual OSU Orthopedic Trauma Survivorship Event in September 2021 to promote: patient engagement, recovery education, peer support, long-term outcome improvements.
- Pursued advanced wound care education to address an identified gap within OSU Orthopedics, where an APP-led wound care resource had not previously existed. This initiative was designed to improve timely access to specialized wound management, standardize evidence-based wound assessment, support early intervention for postoperative wound concerns, and improve patient safety by reducing wound complications, avoidable emergency visits, and hospital readmissions.
Adjunct Professor
Ohio University Physician Assistant Program
08.2017 - 04.2023
- Developed and delivered engaging lectures on advanced clinical practices and healthcare ethics.
- Facilitated hands-on learning through practical simulations in patient assessment techniques.
- Mentored students in clinical rotations, providing guidance on professional development and competencies.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, ensuring alignment with program objectives and accreditation standards.
Neurosurgery Physician Assistant
OSU Wexner Medical Center
10.2017 - 02.2021
- Provide advanced practice neurosurgical care within a Level 1 Trauma Center.
- Manage complex spine deformity patients across the continuum of care, from inpatient hospitalization through outpatient follow-up.
- Lead independent clinics focused on: emergency department follow-up, postoperative recovery, wound assessment, complication management, and new patient evaluation.
- Emphasize timely intervention, prevention of care delays, and reduction of postoperative complications.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to: promote safe transitions of care, optimize discharge planning, clarify orders, coordinate postoperative aftercare, ensure appropriate follow-up
- Utilize clinical assessment, laboratory and imaging interpretation, medication management, wound care, and patient education to support evidence-based care.
- Participate in process improvement by identifying: care coordination barriers, insurance authorization delays, documentation gaps
- Opportunities to standardize neurosurgical postoperative workflows by optimizing IHIS/EPIC tools and shortcuts.
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
OSU Wexner Medical Center
09.2015 - 09.2017
- Provided high-quality emergency medicine care to patients of all ages in a high-volume urban emergency department, prioritizing patient safety, timely evaluation, and evidence-based treatment.
- Exercised autonomous clinical decision-making in both low- and high-acuity areas while remaining within physician assistant scope of practice and in compliance with state, hospital, and departmental regulations.
- Performed rapid assessments, developed differential diagnoses, ordered and interpreted diagnostic studies, and initiated appropriate treatment plans to support safe and efficient patient care.
- Collaborated closely with emergency physicians, nurses, specialists, and ancillary teams to coordinate care, reduce delays, and promote optimal patient outcomes.
- Managed a broad range of acute and chronic medical conditions, including soft tissue injuries, infections, chronic wounds, and wound-related complications.
- Identified high-risk presentations and escalated care appropriately to ensure timely intervention and reduce risk of adverse outcomes.
- Supported patient safety through accurate documentation, medication reconciliation, discharge planning, and clear patient education regarding diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and return precautions.
- Utilized EPIC electronic medical record system to document patient encounters, track clinical progress, review prior history, and ensure continuity of care.
- Maintained accurate and timely electronic health records to enhance communication among care teams and support quality improvement, patient safety, and case management efforts.
- Participated in interdisciplinary communication to improve care coordination, streamline patient throughput, and support safe transitions of care.
- Applied hospital protocols, clinical guidelines, and evidence-based practices to promote standardized, high-quality emergency care.
Neurosurgery Physician Assistant
OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
08.2015 - 07.2017
- First Neurosurgery APP providing dedicated nightshift coverage at a Riverside Methodist Hospital.
- Delivered frontline overnight neurosurgical care, improving access, continuity, and timely decision-making.
- First assisted in emergent neurosurgical procedures.
- Evaluated inpatient and emergency neurosurgical consultations.
- Managed elective spine surgery and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.
- Performed histories, physicals, neurologic exams, and postoperative assessments.
- Ordered and interpreted labs, imaging, and diagnostic studies.
- Collaborated with neurosurgeons, intensivists, ED physicians, hospitalists, nursing, and ancillary teams.
- Monitored for neurologic decline, postoperative complications, hydrocephalus, vasospasm, infection, and wound concerns.
- Educated patients and families on diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, warning signs, and follow-up care.
- Coordinated discharge planning and transitions of care.
- Completed documentation, orders, and administrative tasks to support neurosurgical service operations.
- Supported quality improvement and patient safety initiatives for overnight neurosurgical patient care by being diligent with workload tracking and by utilizing EPIC report analysis to display quantitative evidence of this new position to identify areas to improve patient safety/outcomes and presented these to my APP leadership at the time.
Physician Assistant
Hometown Urgent Care
10.2014 - 08.2015
- Served as the sole Advanced Practice Provider across multiple Hometown Urgent Care facilities, delivering safe, high-quality outpatient care for acute and chronic illnesses and injuries to patients of all ages within physician assistant scope of practice.
- Prioritized patient safety through thorough clinical assessment, appropriate diagnostic testing, evidence-based treatment planning, clear discharge instructions, and timely escalation of care when higher-level evaluation was needed.
- Supported quality improvement by promoting efficient clinic workflows, reducing delays in care, and maintaining consistent adherence to clinical protocols, documentation standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Led daily clinic operations while supervising a multidisciplinary team that included a receptionist and radiology technician/medical assistant, fostering teamwork, communication, and accountability.
- Strengthened leadership skills by coordinating patient flow, delegating responsibilities appropriately, and ensuring team members worked collaboratively to maintain a safe and effective care environment.
- Managed high-volume urgent care visits while balancing clinical decision-making, patient education, diagnostic interpretation, and follow-up planning to support positive outcomes and continuity of care.
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
Qualified Emergency Specialists
06.2012 - 09.2014
- Delivered safe, high-quality emergency care to patients of all ages across rural and urban hospital settings, including a high-volume Level III trauma center affiliated with TriHealth Hospital.
- Prioritized patient safety through rapid assessment, timely diagnosis, appropriate escalation of care, and evidence-based treatment planning for emergent and urgent conditions.
- Self-initiated the development of four clinical training models focused on drug overdose, acute cardiac arrest, airway management, and respiratory arrest to enhance advanced practice provider education, improve critical care procedural skills, and improve patient care/safety.
- Exercised autonomous clinical decision-making in low- and high-acuity emergency department settings while remaining within physician assistant scope of practice and adhering to state regulations, hospital policies, and patient safety standards.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary care teams to coordinate care, reduce delays, and support optimal patient outcomes.
- Voluntarily advanced my procedural skills as an APP with emergent ultrasound diagnostics within the APP scope under the supervising physician to support timely clinical decision-making and improve patient care quality.
- Supported quality improvement through accurate documentation, effective communication, and consistent use of EPIC electronic medical records to collect, manage, and track patient health information, care status, and clinical outcomes.
- Promoted a culture of safety and continuous improvement by developing training resources that strengthened emergency preparedness, improved team response, and supported standardized patient care practices.
Orthopedic Physician Assistant
University Of Cincinnati Medical Center
09.2011 - 04.2012
- Independently developed and implemented an adjunct inpatient Advanced Practice Provider rounding service on our total joints patients to enhance continuity of care, improve post-operative monitoring, and support better patient outcomes.
- Functioned as first assist to the orthopedic surgeon within physician assistant scope of practice, maintaining patient safety standards, sterile technique, and effective intraoperative communication to support successful surgical outcomes.
- Managed pre-operative preparation and post-operative care, including patient assessment, risk identification, care coordination, medication management, and education to reduce complications and promote optimal recovery.
- Collaborated closely with inpatient services, nursing staff, surgeons, rehabilitation teams, and case management to ensure timely communication, coordinated discharge planning, and safe transitions of care.
- Evaluated and managed new and established patients in the outpatient orthopedic clinic through focused histories, physical examinations, diagnostic review, treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring of patient outcomes.
- Performed joint aspirations and injections using safe procedural technique, appropriate patient selection, and clear post-procedure instructions to minimize risk and improve symptom management.
- Ordered and interpreted outpatient diagnostic studies to support accurate diagnosis, timely intervention, and individualized treatment planning.
- Maintained regular communication with outpatient physical therapy facilities to monitor rehabilitation progress, address barriers to recovery, and support high-quality functional outcomes.
- Provided thorough patient education regarding diagnoses, surgical and non-surgical treatment options, medication use, activity restrictions, rehabilitation expectations, and post-operative recovery plans to improve adherence and reduce preventable complications.
- Promoted patient-centered care by counseling patients and families, clarifying expectations, addressing concerns, and ensuring understanding of recovery milestones and warning signs requiring medical attention.
Education
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Marietta College
Marietta, OH05-2011
Bachelor of Arts - Chemistry
Hanover College
Hanover05-2007
Skills
- Patient safety surveillance and risk mitigation
- Early identification and escalation of complications
- Interdisciplinary communication and collaboration
- Quality improvement and workflow optimization
- Problem-solving in complex clinical situations
- Leadership and initiative
- Time management
- EPIC/IHIS efficiency
- Post-operative outcomes monitoring
- Process improvement to enhance efficiency and patient care
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Organizational skills
- Data analysis
Accomplishments
• Ohio State University Medical Center Random Act of Kindness Award, November 2022
• Recipient of “Certificate of Excellence” for being a Top- Performing Provider at OSU, 2019
• Dean's List, Marietta College, 2009 – 2011
• President of Marietta College Physician Assistant Student Society (MCPASS) for Class of 2011
• Recipient of the American Academy of Physician Assistant's Foundation Scholarship, 2011
• Recipient of the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for the Physician Assistants, 2011
• Recipient of Ohio Association of Physician Assistant Student Scholarship, 2010
Hospital Affiliations
• Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center, 9/2015 – Present
• Riverside Methodist Hospital (OhioHealth), 8/17/2015 – 7/2017
• Good Samaritan Hospital (TriHealth), 6/20/2012 – 2/18/2015
• Bethesda North Hospital (TriHealth), 6/20/2012 – 2/18/2015
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 10/5/2011 – 7/23/2012
Certification
• Ohio State University Foundational Leadership Certificate Program, January 2023 – July 2023
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), July 2026 – Present
• Basic Life Support (BLS), July 2022– Present
• Granted Certificate to Practice by the Ohio Medical Board (50.003353), October 2011 – Present
• Granted Prescriptive Privileges by the Ohio Medical Board, July 2012 – Present o DEA License, 2012- Present
• NCCPA Certified (1144501271), August 2011 – Present
Timeline
Orthopedic Physician Assistant
OSU Wexner Medical Center
02.2021 - Current
Neurosurgery Physician Assistant
OSU Wexner Medical Center
10.2017 - 02.2021
Adjunct Professor
Ohio University Physician Assistant Program
08.2017 - 04.2023
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
OSU Wexner Medical Center
09.2015 - 09.2017
Neurosurgery Physician Assistant
OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
08.2015 - 07.2017
Physician Assistant
Hometown Urgent Care
10.2014 - 08.2015
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
Qualified Emergency Specialists
06.2012 - 09.2014
Orthopedic Physician Assistant
University Of Cincinnati Medical Center
09.2011 - 04.2012
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Marietta College
Bachelor of Arts - Chemistry
Hanover College