WENATCHEE — A Confluence Health clinician was named the Rural Physician Assistant of the Year earlier this month by the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants.
Niekol Hall is an advanced practice provider (APP) core medical director and physician assistant working in hospital medicine. She was presented with the award during a joint conference with the Oregon Society of Physician Assistants on March 8 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson.
The award is presented annually to a person who has made “an exceptional contribution to rural community healthcare” and “recognizes those who strive to overcome the challenges inherent in delivering rural healthcare, extending beyond simple clinical excellence into community engagement, patient advocacy, and initiatives that improve
access to healthcare resources,” according to a Confluence Health press release.
“When I think about why I became a PA it always comes back to the people – patients, clinicians, and teams – and the belief we can deliver care better together,” Hall said in the release. “I am grateful to those who mentor me, the teams who trust me, and to the APPs across Confluence Health who continue to show up with compassion every day, even when healthcare feels heavy.”
In the release, Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Murray called Hall “a remarkable provider and leader.”
“Even before she accepted the position of APP core medical director, she was
already doing so much to advance the profession and to improve how healthcare is delivered, establishing committees and bringing people together to do the oftentimes unseen but important work that translates into better care for patients and a better system overall,” he said.