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Snyder appoints five members to Task Force on Physician's Assistants
December 29, 2011
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of five members to the Michigan Task Force on Physician's Assistants.
The task force regulates physician's assistants in Michigan and provides a system to determine and approve the qualifications of physician's assistants.
"As we work to increase access to medical care, physician's assistants are taking on an ever-larger amount of responsibility for patient care," Snyder said. "These appointees will work to make sure patients receive care from qualified, committed physician's assistants."
April Adado, of Holt, is a physician assistant in family practice with J.P. Wulff, D.O. She earned an associate degree in respiratory therapy from Lansing Community College, a bachelor's degree in health studies from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in physician assistant studies from Central Michigan University. Adado will represent physician assistants and replaces Rene Hernandez.
Sara Basso, of Iron River, is a partner at Basso & Basso Legal Services, where she specializes in arbitration and mediation as well as public policy and regulatory areas. She previously served as the director of policy for the Michigan Office of the Racing Commissioner, a special hearing officer for the former Michigan Department of Civil Service, CEO of Yocone Café & Deli, and as a private investigator. Basso earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Basso will represent the general public and replaces Sherry Lepird.
Joel Kutz, of Clinton Township, is the Michigan owner and regional manager of Physician Assistant Solutions, where he works with employers and physician assistants to find jobs and promote the profession. He earned a bachelor's degree in sports medicine from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in physician assistant studies from Wayne State University. He will represent physician assistants and replaces Bernard O'Brien.
John Lopes, of Mt. Pleasant, is an assistant professor in the Physician Assistant Program at Central Michigan University. He previously worked with the Oldbury and Smethwick Primary Care Trust in the United Kingdom. Lopes holds a certificate of completion and diploma from the Physician Assistant Program of the U.S. Air Force School of Health Care Sciences. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a master's degree in technology education from Eastern Illinois University and a doctorate in health science from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He will represent physician assistants and replaces Karl Wagner.
William Palazzolo, of Dexter, is the pre-op clinical director and lead physician assistant for the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital. He earned a bachelor's degree in nutritional and food science and a master's degree in physician assistant studies from Wayne State University. He will represent physician assistants and fills a vacancy left by the resignation of Michael Davis.
Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2015, and are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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