Jennifer LaChance, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Northern Berkshire Orthopedics
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Orthopedics
SVMC Orthopedics is a practice of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center,
a member of Dartmouth Health
Williamstown, MA 01267
Member Since: 2023
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
The AAOS has helped me to start learning the standards of and keep informed of new advances in the orthopedic specialty as I have only been in Orthopedics for a little over two years.
As an Allied member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
Although not a new PA, I am fairly new to the specialty of Orthopedics solely. I love the education in the form of webinars, videos, and publications that are available to me online.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best advice I’ve ever been given was by a former colleague and mentor Jenine Gesino, PA-C. As a very young PA, she told me to never get too worked up about proposed administrative or work changes before the change actually happens. The medical field is forever changing and it requires flexibility so it is often best to roll with the punches.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go to productivity trick is preparing my charts! For 13 years I worked in-patient. I had very little time to know as much about a patient as possible before seeing them. Now that I am office based, I take as much time as I can the day before seeing my patients to learn about them and all the reasons that they may be coming to see me. Not only does this save me time during the day of visit but I think my patients appreciate that I know and understand their history.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Currently, I am trying to make daily walks a habit. I live in a cold climate and it has been a LONG winter! Hopefully the Spring will be coming and I can set a good example for my patients with a simple walk each day.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
My hobbies include hiking, road biking, and scuba diving. In the winter, I tend to hibernate and read a ton of books and listen to podcasts.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
My fun fact and most proud accomplishment is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2018. I would like to climb to Everest Base Camp for my next big birthday (I won’t say what number it will be 😊 )