Team Spotlight | Ryan Watson, MMS, PA-C
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Ryan Watson, MMS, PA-C serves as the Lead Advanced Practice Provider (APP) at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (OLOL)
May 9, 2023
Ryan Watson, MMS, PA-C serves as the Lead Advanced Practice Provider (APP) at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (OLOL), a Baton Rouge-based hospital with an emergency department serviced by Professional Emergency Physician Associates (PEPA), an Emergency Care Partners (ECP) local private practice group. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a 988-bed hospital and the area’s only Level I trauma center. OLOL is a leading healthcare innovator in Louisiana and part of one of the largest health systems in the state.
Watson was born and raised in Louisiana, growing up in the town of Walker, just outside of Baton Rouge. He earned a B.S Degree in Integrative Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Southeastern Louisiana University. Watson obtained a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University PA Program. In addition to his role as Lead APP, Watson also serves at OLOL as a Trauma Surgery Physician Assistant.
Clinical Experience and Leadership:
Watson is a highly valued member of the tight-knit PEPA team. “His persistence and determination are a true testament to his character and work ethic. He consistently demonstrates a positive, go-getter attitude and a hunger to learn and improve processes whenever possible,” said Dr. Mark Laperouse, Chief of Emergency Medicine at OLOL. Watson’s day to day responsibilities include the evaluation, treatment, and dispositioning of patients as well as overseeing the APPs supporting the emergency department. On average, he manages between seven and nine patients concurrently, performs consultations and orders and interprets labs and imaging. As Lead APP, Ryan is responsible for building the schedule for OLOL’s 50+ APPs and for assisting in hiring and training new APPs. Watson has been instrumental in facilitating PEPA’s growing APP bootcamps. The bootcamp is part of PEPA’s onboarding and integration process that focuses on quality, leadership, and overall patient care management. “Ryan exemplifies all aspects of great leadership. As a colleague of Ryan, I have witnessed firsthand his tireless efforts to deliver results, even under the most challenging circumstances. His persistence and determination are a true testament to his character and work ethic. It is a pleasure to work with someone who consistently demonstrates such a positive attitude and willingness to set a higher standard,” said Maci Copeland, PEPA Credentialing Coordinator. Watson’s insights and ideas have helped the PEPA group grow as a team and innovate in all areas of emergency medicine.
Interview with Ryan Watson, PA-C:
When did you decide you wanted to work in Emergency Medicine?
I started working in healthcare when I was in high school. I first started as a phlebotomist. I made the decision to become a PA while in college while I was working in an emergency department. I went into emergency medicine after school because I enjoy both the diversity of patients and the fast-paced environment.
What is your favorite part about working with PEPA and ECP?
My favorite part about working with PEPA and ECP is the culture and strong sense of family that we have here.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
The complexity of the patients that we see in the emergency department, but that is also what I enjoy most.
Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?
I like spending my free time with my family, my wife Emily and I welcomed our first baby in March! I also enjoy cooking and going to aquariums.
About Emergency Care Partners (ECP):
Headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, ECP is a leading provider of emergency medicine and emergency department management services for hospitals across the U.S. with current operations in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. ECP currently sees more than 1,200,000 patient visits annually across operations at 45 sites of service, supported by a clinical workforce of 900+ physicians and mid-level providers. ECP employs a differentiated model relative to other platforms in the industry, highlighted by the ability to maintain ownership through its physician partnership model and for regional/local groups to maintain their branding and clinical autonomy while benefitting from ECP’s resources.
About Professional Emergency Physician Associates (PEPA):
Looking for Better, Faster, More Efficient Care? Professional Emergency Physician Associates (PEPA) partners with hospitals throughout Louisiana. PEPA provides strong leadership, uniquely incentivized physician teams and the advanced resources necessary to fuel a high-performing emergency department. We offer data-driven management, true physician leadership and real expertise in emergency department services — exploring the complete extent of the efficiency process. Our process improvement strategies are based on proven lean methodologies and transparent, collaborative relationships with hospitals and physicians. PEPA aims to enhance patient satisfaction by making visits better, faster, and more efficient.