The UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery is pleased to announce that Brooke Skaggs, PA-C, has been named director of advanced practice providers (APPs), a new position within the department. Skaggs, who has served six years as an APP for the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery, will officially assume her new job duties on May 5.
The APP director position was developed in collaboration with Paula Works, DNP, chief AP officer of the UK Office of Advanced Practice. The position is meant to address the needs of the growing number of APPs within Surgery, said Shawn Coffey, surgery department administrator. There are approximately 60 APPs currently serving in one or more of the department’s 11 divisions and more will likely join those ranks in the near future.
This level of growth throughout the department needs administrative oversight to manage budgets, staffing, and strategic operations. Importantly, it gives the division’s advanced providers a director who is an experienced APP and who understands best practices and flow models for effective patient care, Paula Works commented.
Brooke Skaggs earned her degree in Physician Assistant Studies from UK in 2018 and subsequently joined the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery as one of its APPs.
Prior to her APP work, Skaggs was no stranger to patient care. In 2014, she graduated from UK with her undergraduate degree in human nutrition and also earned credentials as a nursing assistant from the Bluegrass Nurse Aide Training Center in Lexington. She worked two years as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), first with Richmond Place Healthcare Center, then with UK Chandler Hospital before taking two years to complete the physician assistant degree program.
During her time as a practicing plastic surgery APP, Brooke divided her time between patient care services and acquiring leadership experience.
In addition to providing urgent and emergent treatment to patients suffering severe burns, hand and facial traumas, and complex lacerations, she assists in surgical procedures and maintains clinic hours to follow up on treatment and visit with new patients.
Her growing interest in pediatric craniofacial and cleft care led her to be appointed team coordinator in that specialty. She helped the team earn American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) certification and assisted in the development of a multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial clinic in partnership with The Office of Children with Special Health Care Needs.
Independently, Skaggs partnered with Pikeville Medical Center to provide telehealth services for pediatric craniofacial anomalies.
This combination of leadership, loyalty, and dedication to her peers and patients made her an excellent choice to fill the new director’s position.
Please join the department of surgery in congratulating Brooke on her new position.