News
Kara Cole is Clinic’s Newest Medical Provider
Colorado Plains Medical Center announces that the county has a new full-time medical provider at the Wiggins Clinic. Kara Cole, P.A., started seeing patients at the Clinic last week.
The recent graduate from Red Rocks Community College’s Physician Assistant program is excited to be providing primary care services in a Colorado rural setting.
“During my clinical rotations, I had the pleasure working at a rural family practice office in Houlton, Maine, as well as on the Black Feet Indian reservation in Browning, Montana. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience getting to know the patients and community. This is a unique advantage in rural areas and often times an important, integral piece in providing great care,” notes Cole.
In addition to her clinical experience, Cole has more than three years experience working with post-partum moms, newborns, pediatrics, and medical surgical patients in the hospital setting. She served as a certified nurse aid and as a patient care associate at Memorial Hospital (Colorado Springs) and Boulder Community Hospital respectively.
Cole came to Colorado from Longview, Washington when she was stationed at Peterson Air Force Base with the United States Air Force as a public health apprentice. While in that role she provided education in communicable disease control, food handling and occupational and employee health. Her experience led her to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder as well as a Master of Medical Science degree at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, in addition to her Physician Assistant Certificate.
Cole also provided emergency care and air transportation to patients within the United States and overseas while serving as an air evacuation medical technician for the Wyoming Air National Guard.
At the Wiggins Clinic, Cole will be responsible for providing primary care for patients of all ages, including minor surgery, acute and chronic illness management and well woman exams. She also can administer physical exams for DOT, sports, and schools, as well as perform lab draws and immunizations. The Wiggins Clinic, located at 226 Main Street, is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 483-7283.
When not caring for patients, Cole and her fiancé, who works for ADT Security in Denver, enjoy mountain biking, horseback riding, ice climbing and skiing.
The community is encouraged to attend an upcoming open house at the Clinic on Thursday, March 22, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. to meet Cole and new staff members, Helen Bernhardt, the Clinic’s receptionist, and Vickie Pena, the Clinic’s manager.