Kristi Collins, PA-C
Program Director and Assistant Professor
Physician Assistant - Certified
Franklin Pierce University PA Program – West Lebanon, NH
Orthopaedic Hospitalist Service – St. Joseph Hospital – Nashua, NH
West Lebanon CTC – Acadia Healthcare – West Lebanon, NH
Why did you join AAOS?
PAs deserve a seat at the table in all sorts of professional organizations. The AAOS, and all the orthopaedic surgeons I have been lucky enough to work with have been very openly supportive of the PA profession. When PAs were able to join as Affiliated Professional Members, I took the opportunity to support my surgeon colleagues, and encourage advancement of the profession.
How do you define success?
Working hard at work that is worth doing and doing the work I love to the best of my ability. Of course, success also involves pursuing concrete, personal goals too. My very first attending used to tell me the world was my oyster. I try to always approach success that same way. Once a goal is reached, set a new, higher one.
Working hard at work that is worth doing and doing the work I love to the best of my ability. Of course, success also involves pursuing concrete, personal goals too. My very first attending used to tell me the world was my oyster. I try to always approach success that same way. Once a goal is reached, set a new, higher one.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Matt Hamilton of the US Men’s Curling Team. He’s proof that with enough grit and hard work, a regular guy can go out and win an Olympic gold medal. On a more serious note, my patients, colleagues, and others in my life inspire me every day with their stories of resilience. It’s nearly impossible to choose a single most influential one.
Matt Hamilton of the US Men’s Curling Team. He’s proof that with enough grit and hard work, a regular guy can go out and win an Olympic gold medal. On a more serious note, my patients, colleagues, and others in my life inspire me every day with their stories of resilience. It’s nearly impossible to choose a single most influential one.
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
In the big picture, I think the support and advocacy of PAs is one of the best benefits that the AAOS has to offer. On a personal level, being part of the AAOS has helped me stay up to date on advancements in the field.
What advice would you give to new members of AAOS?
Someone told me once, that you should always surround yourself with people who are better than you. Try to seek out those individuals and experiences. The AAOS is rich with knowledge and opportunity, therefore pursue it.
Someone told me once, that you should always surround yourself with people who are better than you. Try to seek out those individuals and experiences. The AAOS is rich with knowledge and opportunity, therefore pursue it.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I’m a curler – the rock sliding, ice gliding kind. A hobby I picked up when I moved to the northern latitudes, and my other reason for admiring Matt Hamilton.
I’m a curler – the rock sliding, ice gliding kind. A hobby I picked up when I moved to the northern latitudes, and my other reason for admiring Matt Hamilton.