Kara Berent is a physician assistant in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. She works directly with Dr. Yoo and Dr. Lin in their respective orthopedic clinics. Physicians assistants (PAs) are often referred to as mid-level providers. Physician assistants are highly trained members of our orthopedic surgery health care team who practice medicine with the supervision of licensed physicians, providing patients with a wide range of services that would otherwise be performed by physicians. Specific duties are defined by state regulation and practice setting, but include a variety of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. They obtain medical histories, perform complete physical examinations and minor surgical procedures, diagnose illnesses, order and interpret routine diagnostic tests, develop treatment and management plans, suture wounds, set fractures, assist in surgery, and provide education to patients regarding illness, health promotion and disease prevention.