JESS PLAZA
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Experienced and licensed bilingual Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant who brings a strong, diverse background across inpatient and outpatient settings. Ex-Division I Student Athlete and anatomy enthusiast who is passionate about providing orthopedic care. Extremely adaptable to feedback, embraces challenges, self-starter who excels in effective communication, and pursues leadership/mentorship opportunities. Fluent in English and Spanish.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Inpatient Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
03.2025 - Current
- Established and defined the inaugural inpatient APP role for the Orthopedic Surgery/Orthopedic Oncology Department at HUP.
- Streamline communication across attendings, residents, and outpatient team to ensure continuity of care.
- Independently manage primary orthopedic and orthopedic oncology inpatients, addressing acute needs, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and ensuring safe, efficient discharges.
- Perform and staff inpatient orthopedic consults—including orthopedic emergencies, fracture care/reductions, septic arthritis, hardware complications, degenerative conditions, and pathologic fractures/tumors. Independently interpret XR/CT/MRI imaging. Execute bedside procedures such as joint aspirations, hematoma blocks, fracture reductions, wound/incision care, and splinting.
- Mentored pre-PA students through the Passport Program by providing clinical shadowing opportunities, guidance, and education
Adult Medicine Physician Assistant
Mary's Center
Adelphi, MD
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Adult Medicine PA at an FQHC, providing continuity of care to a predominantly uninsured Spanish-speaking patient population, addressing health literacy barriers to care through education
- Conducted exams, ordered and interpreted appropriate diagnostic testing for various chronic disease management, typically navigating with lack of health records.
- Exhibited excellent problem-solving skills when encountering complex medical cases, particularly without access to specialty care.
- Performed small in-house procedures.
Patient Care Technician/Emergency Medical Technician
Mission Hospital/Doctors & Royal Ambulance
Northern And Southern California
09.2017 - 08.2019
- Triaged patients as a first responder on BLS/ALS rig, transported patients in critical and stable states
- Administered patient care, monitored vital signs, collected specimens, and assisted patients with meals and hygiene
Anatomy Scholar
Stanford Medicine Surgery Division
Palo Alto, CA
02.2016 - 08.2017
- Designed and adapted lesson plans to lead anatomy teaching sessions to students with varying levels of science knowledge from high school to Physician Assistant students
- Created prosections (dissections made for student learning)
- Self-directed project (see publications)
Physician Associate Student
Stanford Health Care
Stanford, CA
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Provided orthopedic services in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings along with assisting in the OR. All elective rotations completed in orthopedics.
- Worked with Total Joint, Sports Medicine, Ortho Trauma, Shoulder/Elbow, Spine, and Bone Health
Softball Instructor & Mentor
Self Employed
01.2013 - Current
- Small business owner running softball clinics, private instruction, counsel on college recruiting, leadership skills, and mentoring student-athletes.
Education
M.S. Physician Assistant Studies -
Stanford School of Medicine
03-2022
B.A. Human Biology -
Stanford University
06-2016
Skills
- Leadership
- Effective Communication
- Coachable
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Team Oriented
Certification
- NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant Current
- Physician Assistant in the State of Pennsylvania with DEA license State: MA066306 Current
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Current
- Advanced Life Support (ACLS) Current
LANGUAGES
English Native
Spanish Fluent
Timeline
Inpatient Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
03.2025 - Current
Adult Medicine Physician Assistant
Mary's Center
01.2022 - 01.2025
Physician Associate Student
Stanford Health Care
01.2021 - 01.2022
Patient Care Technician/Emergency Medical Technician
Mission Hospital/Doctors & Royal Ambulance
09.2017 - 08.2019
Anatomy Scholar
Stanford Medicine Surgery Division
02.2016 - 08.2017
Softball Instructor & Mentor
Self Employed
01.2013 - Current
M.S. Physician Assistant Studies -
Stanford School of Medicine
B.A. Human Biology -
Stanford University
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
National Health Service Corp Scholarship Recipient, USA Softball National and Junior National Team Member, Stanford Division I Softball Scholarship Recipient
Softball Instructor and Mentor
PUBLICATIONS
Platform Speaker & Abstract Publication: American Association of Clinical Anatomists - Creating Virtual 3D Data Sets of Human Specimens with a Cryomacrotome Slicing Technique
Https://clinical-anatomy.org/images/downloads/revised_final_2017_program.pdf