Leah Bressler
Chicago
Summary
Compassionate physician assistant with several years of experience in delivering direct clinical care to diverse patient populations in dermatologic, orthopedic, and urgent care settings. Highly skilled in communicating complex health care issues to patients and colleagues and devising plans to meet patient care needs. Expertise in providing preventive care, actualizing emergency interventions and performing non-invasive surgical and cosmetic procedures to restore and maintain patients' health. Proven leadership abilities that guide healthcare professionals towards achievement of patient outcome goals while optimizing activities and driving organizational missions.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
4027
4027
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Physician Assistant – Dermatology
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Oak Park
04.2024 - Current
- Perform dermatologic workup and management of medical skin conditions via history, physical exam, and diagnostic procedures for 30-40 patients per clinic day.
- Perform injections, cryosurgery, electrocautery, electrocautery and desiccation, shave biopsies and excisions and punch biopsies and other procedures as warranted.
- Perform surgical excisions for benign and malignant neoplasms
- Perform aesthetic services including neurotoxin, filler, microneedling, chemical peels and platelet rich plasma
- Oversee use of blue light therapy and broad band light to treat superficial skin cancers and acne
- Interpret and report on pathology results and lab work
- Assist with administrative duties, including charting, patient inquiries, insurance queries, prior authorizations, and other duties as necessary.
Physician Assistant – Dermatology
Duly Health and Care
Wheaton
11.2021 - 03.2024
- Perform dermatologic workup and management of medical skin conditions via history, physical exam, and diagnostic procedures for 25-30 patients per clinic day.
- Perform injections, cryosurgery, electrocautery, electrocautery and desiccation, shave biopsies and excisions and punch biopsies as warranted
- Perform surgical excisions for benign and malignant neoplasms
- Perform aesthetic services via neurotoxin, laser, filler, and PRP
- Interpret and report on pathology results and lab work
- Assist with administrative duties, including charting, patient inquiries, insurance queries, prior authorizations, and other duties as necessary
Physician Assistant - Orthopedic Immediate Care Clinic
Illinois Bone and Joint Institute
Hinsdale/Joliet
04.2022 - 12.2023
- Part-time position as the sole provider in a busy orthopedic urgent care clinic
- Obtain histories and physicals to diagnose and treat orthopedic urgent care needs
- Interpret diagnostic studies including labs and XR to assist in diagnosis and treatment
- Perform joint and musculoskeletal injections and aspirations
- Perform splinting and other DME placement as needed.
Guest Lecturer
Rush University Physician Assistant Program
Chicago
03.2017 - 11.2021
- Develop power point lectures on requested content per program.
- Deliver lectures on requested content to Rush University PA program.
Guest Lecturer
Rosalind Franklin University Physician Assistant Program
Chicago
03.2017 - 11.2021
- Develop power point lectures on requested content per program.
- Deliver lectures on requested content to Rosalind Franklin University PA program.
- Assist with on hands teaching of physical exam class.
Physician Assistant - Orthopedic Surgery
Midwest Orthopedics at RUSH
Chicago
07.2014 - 11.2021
- First assist in surgery
- Collaborate with supervising physician via history, physicals and imaging to determine a treatment plan.
- Manage independent clinic for 30-50 patients per clinic day.
- Interpret diagnostic studies, including XR, CT, MRI, and labs to assist in diagnosis, treatment, and peri-operative planning.
- Perform joint and musculoskeletal injections and aspirations.
- Assist with training of fellows, residents and PA students.
- Coordinate and assist with patient care in clinic, outpatient and inpatient surgery.
- Perform administrative duties; dictating, charting, independent medical examinations, patient phone calls, insurance queries, after hour needs, and other duties as assigned.
Physician Assistant Content Writer
Lecturio
03.2021 - 06.2021
- Develop and review PANCE and PANRE questions for practice exams.
Physician Assistant Content Writer
Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
06.2020 - 09.2020
- Develop and review PACKRAT questions for practice exams.
Physician Assistant - Urgent Care
Medspring Urgent Care
Chicago
07.2016 - 07.2019
- Part-time position as the sole provider in a busy urgent care clinic.
- Obtain histories and physicals to diagnose and treat urgent care needs.
- Perform suture placement and removal, staple placement and removal, incision and drainage, fluorescein eye stain, pelvic exam and other procedures per patient needs.
- Interpret diagnostic studies including labs and XR to assist in diagnosis and treatment.
- Perform administrative duties, including charting, patient phone calls, and other duties as assigned.
Education
Diplomate Fellow -
Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
04.2024 - 01.2026
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Epic
- EMA
- Athena
- SIS charts
- Internet Research
- ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor
- Patient assessment
- Clinical documentation
- Surgical assistance
- Diagnostic interpretation
- Medical procedures
- Aesthetic services
- Patient education
- Time management
- Suturing
- Wound care
- Pediatrics
- Medical diagnosis
- Clinical decision making
Affiliations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Member, 05/01/12, Present
- Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA), Member, 05/01/12, Present
- Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA), Member, 08/01/21, Present
- Illinois Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (ISDPA), Member, 10/01/21, Present
- ISDPA Board, Secretary, 1/1/2026, Present
References
Available upon request
Publications
- Schempp A, Black WC, Bressler, L, P.A.-C, et al., End of Curriculum Exam Version 1, forms 1 and 2, Physician Assistant Education Association, Washington, DC, 2021, in press
- Mehta, N, M.D., Alter, T, M.S., Beck, EC, M.D., M.P.H., Cancienne, J, M.D., Bressler, L, P.A.-C, Liu, J, M.D., Nho, S, M.D., M.S., Endoscopic Repair of Proximal Hamstring Tear With Double-Row Suture Bridge Construct, The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, 07/01/19
- Kuhns B, MD, Erickson B, Bressler L, Sarmast, S, Nho S, Perineal Post Padding Technique to Improve Hip Distraction in Tall Patients, The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, 12/01/15
- Knott P, Tyrakowski M, Bressler L, Gibbons J, Wargolet L, Szczodry M, Siemionow K, Measuring AtlantoDens Interval using Digital Radiographs: an Inter- and Intra-Observer Reliability Study, Scoliosis Research Society, in press, 2014
- Pandey T, Ganschow P, Bressler L, Granulomatous Mastitis: a case series, Society of General Internal Medicine 35th Annual Meeting, 05/09/12, 05/12/12
- Beattie M.S., Ganschow P, Gabram-Mendola S, Lee R, Loranger K, Fehniger J, Seelaus C, Bressler L, Stanislaw C, Trim L, Luce J, Consortium of Underserved BRCA Testers, Fourth International Symposium on Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, 04/25/12, 04/27/12
Timeline
Diplomate Fellow -
Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
04.2024 - 01.2026
Physician Assistant – Dermatology
Illinois Dermatology Institute
04.2024 - Current
Physician Assistant - Orthopedic Immediate Care Clinic
Illinois Bone and Joint Institute
04.2022 - 12.2023
Physician Assistant – Dermatology
Duly Health and Care
11.2021 - 03.2024
Physician Assistant Content Writer
Lecturio
03.2021 - 06.2021
Physician Assistant Content Writer
Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
06.2020 - 09.2020
Guest Lecturer
Rush University Physician Assistant Program
03.2017 - 11.2021
Guest Lecturer
Rosalind Franklin University Physician Assistant Program
03.2017 - 11.2021
Physician Assistant - Urgent Care
Medspring Urgent Care
07.2016 - 07.2019
Physician Assistant - Orthopedic Surgery
Midwest Orthopedics at RUSH
07.2014 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Science - Public Health
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science - Physician Assistant Studies
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science