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Holmberg likes everything about being a PACareer path leads to neurologyFor Joalle Holmberg, becoming a physician assistant wasn’t just about the scientific aspect of the job, or the personal connections that can be made with patients. It wasn’t just about the flexibility that the physician assistant field lends itself to when compared to some other medical specialties. In fact, it was about all these things – the entire package. Holmberg and her husband, Dr. Daniel Holmberg, moved to New Ulm in July of 2005 as he began his practice as a family physician at the New Ulm Medical Center. Joalle Holmberg began her orientation in the area of neurology in January and is working with neurologist, Dr. Lisa Davidson. “I knew early on, in high school, that I wanted to do something in the sciences – my interest in science blossomed into anatomy and physiology. I was intrigued by the human body,” Holmberg said. But, it wasn’t just the textbooks and scientific data that drew her to the field. “I always wanted to be in a field where I could help people.” Taking a little time off in undergraduate school to decide just what that field would be, she was fortunate to be able to “shadow” a friend of the family who was a physician assistant. “The career appealed to me because it tended to be a little more flexible. It has a broad base in family practice, but you can choose a specialty area if you wish,” Holmberg said. Her career path thus far has been a perfect example of this flexibility. After graduating from the physician assistant program at the University of Iowa, she began working in oncology after experiences with volunteer work in pediatric oncology. An oncology opportunity presented itself at the Veteran’s Hospital in Iowa City following her graduation. She was able to continue working in this field when she followed her husband to Newport News, VA. where he completed his residency. “I will miss oncology, because I loved it so much. But, I become very emotionally attached to the patients and their families and that can be difficult in the field of oncology,” Holmberg said. Her experience in dealing with long term illnesses, though, is a strength she will need to call on in her new neurology position at the medical center. “There are many neurological diseases that are progressive and terminal,” she said. She has been enjoying the kind of positive challenge that entering a new field brings and acknowledges that continuing education is a part of being in any medical career no matter what the field may be. “Medicine changes and it is always a challenge to keep up,” Holmberg said. Neurological disease hits close to home for Holmberg because two of her grandparents are in nursing homes with dementia diagnoses. “I am very anxious to learn all I can about these diseases.” Her transition into neurology will be a “fluid” training process, she said, spending some days with Dr. Davidson at her primary office in Mankato, and Tuesdays at New Ulm Medical Center with her. Holmberg will be helping to alleviate the heavy load of follow-up patient visits that Dr. Davidson now carries at the medical center. “It will be a very collaborative process between Dr. Davidson and myself,” Holmberg said. “The medical field is all about team work on behalf of the patient. The system doesn’t work right if there isn’t that team work.” When she doesn’t have her nose tucked in a book bringing herself up to speed in the neurological field, Holmberg is busy with a new interest of hers – baking. “I love trying new recipes,” she said. She is also a dedicated runner, having been involved in track and field in high school and college. She and her husband are enjoying exploring the area. “We were looking for a smaller community, a good place to start a family,” she said. “We love this area. The Minnesota River Valley is just beautiful” Outdoor activities appeal to the couple, including making good use of the two wooden sea kayaks that Dr. Holmberg built when they lived in Virginia. Holmberg hopes to spend some time next summer with her husband exploring area waterways. |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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