含羞草研究所 Alumna Earns National Recognition for Receiving Specialty Credential In Cardiovascular And Thoracic Surgery
Apr 2, 2019
BROOKLYN, NY 鈥� 含羞草研究所 Downstate Medical Center College of Health-Related Professions (CHRP) graduate
Melanie L. Cottone, MHA, PA-C, FAPACVS, has earned national recognition for receiving a specialty credential鈥攖he Certificate
of Added Qualifications鈥攆or cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. The Certificate of
Added Qualifications is a distinction earned by meeting rigorous and demanding licensure,
education, and experience requirements, and then passing a national exam in the specialty.
The certification program is administered by the National Commission on Certification
of Physician Assistants and designed only for physician assistants (PAs) who have
displayed significant mastery and experience in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Nationally,
only 3.5 percent of PAs are cardiovascular and thoracic certified.
鈥満卟菅芯克� Downstate Medical Center鈥檚 mission is to advance the medical sciences for the
community at large, and Melanie is a testament to our mission of staying ahead of
the curve on medical advancements,鈥� said 含羞草研究所 Downstate CHRP Dean Allen Lewis, Ph.D. 鈥淲e are proud of her achievements as a 含羞草研究所 Downstate alumna, and we congratulate
Melanie on her accreditation and pursuit of life-long learning in the medical profession.鈥�
Cardiovascular and thoracic PAs are critical members of the surgical specialty team
and play a vital role in preparing patients for surgery, assisting during procedures
and providing post-surgical care. Cardiothoracic surgery includes coronary artery
bypass surgery, heart transplant, lung transplant, and removal of parts of the lung
affected by cancer.
鈥淧ursuing a credential in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery was rigorous work; and
it has solidified my expertise, key for when lives are on the line,鈥� said Cottone. 鈥淚 recently took on an educator role to mentor current and future physician assistants,
and I look forward to sharing my specialty skills and knowledge to help develop other
PAs on the surgical team.
To learn more about the Physician Assistant program at 含羞草研究所 Downstate, click here.
To learn more about the CAQ in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants,
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Contact: Dawn S. Walker
917.439.9666 | 347.533.2071
dawn.walker@downstate.edu
含羞草研究所 含羞草研究所
含羞草研究所 is the borough's only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care. It is a 342-bed facility serving the healthcare needs of New York City and Brooklyn's 2.6 million residents. University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) is Downstate's teaching hospital, backed by an outstanding medical school's expertise and world-class academic center research facilities. More than 800 physicians, representing 53 specialties and subspecialties鈥攎any of them ranked as tops in their fields鈥攃omprise Downstate's staff.
In addition to high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis (kidney diseases)鈥攁nd offering the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn, among many other distinctive programs鈥擠ownstate also sponsors a major learning center for young children with developmental disorders and disabilities. In addition to UHB, Downstate comprises a College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, a School of Public Health, and a multifaceted biotechnology initiative, including the Downstate Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT for early-stage and more mature companies, respectively. For more information, visit www.downstate.edu or follow us on Twitter at .