SONIA ALFORD
Physician Assistant - Certified
Simpsonville,SC
Summary
Personable, professional and motivated NCCPA-Certified Physician Assistant with 20+ years experience and exposure to unique, complex medical cases in a busy, large, urban, fast paced academic center. As a licensed and registered Physician Assistant in New York state, awarded the NYPH/ Columbia University Medical Center Physician Assistant of the Year award in 2009 by a panel of peers and physician faculty for contributions made regarding advancement of patient care at the institution and team leadership . Provided bedside care with compassion and professional treatment to numerous pre- and post- surgical patients at one of the largest transplant centers in the United States. Advanced the Physician Assistant hospitalist role across the transplant service lines (liver, kidney and lung), into the ambulatory care clinics, providing telehealth services prior to 2020 and into management positions.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
9
9
Certifications
Work History
Senior Physician Assistant
Columbia University Medical Center
4 2016 - Current
- Provide autonomous patient care via remote tele-health clinic based on needs of transplant department for Liver and Kidney patient populations
- Approximately 10-12 patients visits per session
- Recommended appropriate diagnostic tests based on individual patient presentations, ensuring timely diagnosis of conditions.
- Post op care, wound checks, remote VAC management
- Reduced hospital readmissions through thorough patient education and effective follow-up strategies.
- Coordinated referrals to specialists when necessary, facilitating continuity of care for patients requiring additional services.
- Maintained accurate documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating seamless coordination between healthcare providers.
- Implemented preventive care initiatives, leading to reduced incidence of chronic diseases among patients.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide well-rounded care for patients with various comorbidities.
- Educated patients on health maintenance and disease prevention, empowering them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
- Participate in educational activities to maintain NY state & practice requirements for PA licensure
- Research applications for technological advances in Digicueticals, evidence-based software therapeutic interventions that prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease
- Participate, present in departmental QA,, Morbidity & Mortality meetings, Patient Selection meetings
Subcontractor, VA Disability Exam Provider
EmergencyMD
03.2023 - 08.2023
- Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
- Provided compassionate, problem based evaluations of Veterans for disability
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new and challenging systems, EHRs.
- Evaluated 10-12 veterans per clinic shift
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within short deadlines.
Stay at Home Parent
Leave of Absence
07.2014 - 04.2016
- Primary caregiver after premature birth of twins.
Senior Physician Assistant
Hepatology Advanced Practice Provider, Clinical Support
05.2013 - 07.2014
- Deliver autonomous outpatient and in-patient clinic support to adult & pediatric general hepatobiliary and post liver transplant, intestinal-multi-visceral transplant populations
- Support and enhance medical and surgical practice, minimize admissions, morbidity and mortality
- Outpatient clinic visits twice weekly with 8-10 patients scheduled per clinic
- Prescribe, manage acute and chronic diseases; Immunosuppression medication management
- Educated patients on health maintenance and disease prevention, empowering them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing
- Post op care, wound care, VAC management, drain removal, suture removal
- Participate in educational activities to maintain state & practice requirements for PA licensure, keep up to date on technological advances in healthcare
- Participate in departmental quality assurance, Morbidity & Mortality meetings
Chief Transplant Physician Assistant, Transplant Hosptalist
Liver and Kidney Transplant, In-patient Hospitalist Team
09.2002 - 05.2013
- Perform patient history and physicals, chronic illness maintenance, medication monitoring including immunosuppression medication management and their complications,, routine health maintenance, lab and EKG interpretation
- Manage pre- and post-operative liver transplant, GI/ hepatobiliary patients in post anesthesia care unit, on med-surgical ward, telemetry step-down unit; assist in rounding on SICU patients with surgical medicine fellow
- Enhance physician effectiveness by providing autonomous care, identifying and addressing complications, escalation of higher level of care (SICU/ MICU), or necessitating return to OR;
- Work to create positive work culture within cross-departmental teams and align this work with other Hospital initiatives with Utilization review, Nursing huddles and daily team rounds
- Managed high-stress situations effectively during emergency procedures, providing life-saving interventions when needed.
- Provided culturally sensitive care for diverse patient populations, addressing unique healthcare concerns based on cultural background or beliefs.
- Created treatment plans balancing medical expertise, patient goals and individual compliance levels.
- Implement Post op bedside procedures or care including basic to advanced wound care, VAC management, drain removal, suture removal; PICC line access and care, paracentesis, NG or Duo-tube placement/ removal etc
- Developed strong rapport with colleagues and staff members, promoting teamwork within workplace environment.
- Supervised 1st year resident physicians, mid-level practitioners, other health care providers and coordinated work.
- Documented interactions using correct format, codes and facility standards for optimal medical care in varied EHR (Ellipsis, Epic and Allscripts).
- Discharge planning protocols developed and initiated upon admission to reduce length of stay
- Ensured supportive peer environment resulting in above average patient satisfaction and in-patient clinical staff retention.
- Led recruitment and expansion of 24hr PA staff coverage service; Implemented education development and management protocols of 21 Physician Assistant staff for General Surgery abdominal transplant hospitalist service line
- Participate, present in departmental QA,, Morbidity & Mortality meetings, Patient Selection meetings
Education
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia 05.2001 -
Skills
Minor surgical procedures
Certification
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Awards
- PA of the Year 2009
Recognition Award nominated by peer and medical staff at NYPresbyterian Hospital - Columbia University Medical Center Campus
- Team Excellence in clinical documentation - August 2011
Groups
Faculty Advisor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP)
September 2017 to Present
Military Service
United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class
Medical Laboratory Technician /Hospital Corpsman,
National Defense Service Ribbon
Languages
Italian - Intermediate
Timeline
Infection Control Certification
07-2025
Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Certification
07-2025
DEA Certification
06-2025
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
12-2024
New York State Physician Assistant Registration
12-2024
South Carolina Physician Assistant Licensure
12-2024
BCLS Certification
11-2024
Subcontractor, VA Disability Exam Provider
EmergencyMD
03.2023 - 08.2023
Stay at Home Parent
Leave of Absence
07.2014 - 04.2016
Senior Physician Assistant
Hepatology Advanced Practice Provider, Clinical Support
05.2013 - 07.2014
Chief Transplant Physician Assistant, Transplant Hosptalist
Liver and Kidney Transplant, In-patient Hospitalist Team
09.2002 - 05.2013
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
05.2001 -
Senior Physician Assistant
Columbia University Medical Center
4 2016 - Current
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