Physician's Assistant student continues study in Libby

Rebecca Bassett just arrived in Libby, but she already thinks she will have trouble leaving.

Bassett began a 6-week rotation on Oct. 1 as part of her course work for a Physician's Assistant Program at Libby Clinic. Hailing from Springfield, Mass., Bassett is working with Dr. Greg Rice, Dr. Bill Cuskelly and a team of physicians in various medical capacities. She is especially excited to be delving into the world of family practice.

"In Massachusetts, family medicine is a rarity," she explained. "Everyone sees a specialist."

This is Bassett's fourth rotation and following its completion, she will be halfway to graduation. She is in the final phases of the PA program, which is a 27-month process, she explained.

Bassett received her undergraduate degree in genetics, a field she worked in for five years before beginning the PA program. She would like to combine her knowledge and work experience in the genetics field with a PA career, she said. Knowledge in genetics helps to diagnose an ailment and the prescription process, Bassett added. That applied knowledge could also transfer into any practice in the PA field.

Throughout the day, Bassett will do rounds at the clinic and meet with patients. As a family practice, the Libby Clinic sees various ailments throughout any given day. Given that the clinic is a family practice, Bassett has the opportunity to work within various specialties of medicine.

"I'm gaining confidence in doing procedures and dispensing medicine," Bassett said. "It's very humbling."

When Bassett's rotation ends on Nov. 17, she will return to Massachusetts to do a psychology rotation, an outpatient crisis rotation, as well as an obstetrics and gynecology rotation.

"This rotation will prepare me for the psych and OB/GYN rotations," Bassett commented.

Bassett is working within the National Health Service Corps. The corps matches health care professionals with areas in need. There are positions in every state. Bassett applied for the position in Libby and first made contact last spring.

"Susie Rice has been integral in getting me here, it's been seamless," Bassett said.

The day after the Rice's picked Bassett up from the airport in Spokane, Wash., they took her on a bike ride throughout Libby, showing her the sights.

"I'm excited and feeling more comfortable," she said about her arrival.

Bassett has three brothers and they are "all pretty adventurous," she said of her family. She also has family in Whitefish, who she plans on visiting while on her six-week sojourn here.

While Bassett has lived primarily in New England, she is no stranger to the mountains. While she was born in New Jersey, where she lived for eight years, she also lived in Colorado for 10 years before moving to Massachusetts to do her undergraduate studies. She has lived in New England for the last 18 years and when she returns to the region for her remaining rotations, she will be working primarily in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

She sees the opportunity to work with Dr. Rice as an advantage. Rice allows Bassett to see patients, discuss symptoms and then she presents the patients to Rice.

"He's an amazing doctor," she continued. "This is a very non-threatening situation. He clearly wants me to learn.

"One person doesn't have just one problem. Dr. Rice knows his patients and that's very rare where I come from," Bassett explained.

Bassett is scheduled to graduate from the PA program in May 2008 then she will study for the boards. She expects to be employed by June 2008. She hopes to practice in rural medicine upon completion of the program.

Like Dr. Rice, "I want to live in the community where I work," she added. "I think that provides a continuity of care."