Brenda LaVigne is a NCCPA certified, Oregon Medical Board and Washington Department of Health licensed PA with a passion for leadership, education and cultivating growth.   

Prior to becoming a PA, Brenda worked in emergency medical services (EMS) starting in 2003 as an EMT, then joined the Army as a Medic/Healthcare Specialist (68W). After discharge from the military, she worked as an ER-tech, a Medical Assistant and a Phlebotomist in a high acuity urgent care before starting her studies to become a PA.   

Brenda has been providing direct clinical care for patients on several Multispecialty teams since graduating from The University of Washington’s MEDEX-NW PA Program in 2015. Since 2017, she has worked on OHSU's Multidisciplinary Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Team and is a faculty instructor for the OHSU School of Medicine - Department of Vascular Surgery, where she is involved in OHSU’s APP Leadership development, and professionalism activities. Brenda proctors students, educates colleagues, and volunteers on several committees within OHSU and in the community. She chairs the Oregon Society of PA’s Membership & Communications Committee, leads journal clubs, and plans education events. Brenda participates in PA program interviews and OSCE skills, teaches quarterly Wound/Infection Intersessions to Medical Students; and previously facilitated Inter-professional Education classes. Brenda frequently provides educational lectures within OHSU, as well as in the community and for several annual CME events.   

After working for over 8 years as a PA, in 2023, she began her studies in the OHSU/PSU Healthcare MBA program, where she hopes to continue making an impact improving the future of healthcare and expanding on her leadership and education skills to train future generations.   

While working to advance her career and caring for patients, Brenda also enjoys spending quality time with her spouse and kids, adventuring with friends and loved ones, playing games, dancing, snowboarding, paddle boarding, and creating art. She hopes to continue developing her non-profit, with the goal of purchasing a large property with sustainable amenities where she can combine her passions and provide inspirational opportunities for community growth and advancement. Regardless of what she is doing or where, Brenda always aspires to create a fun and inclusive environment where all feel welcome to be themselves and live their fullest lives.   

Brenda LaVigne's published research