Rocco Laudadio, Jr., DHSC, PA-C
Rocco is a board certified PA with over 14 years of experience in the practice of clinical medicine. He is NCCPA board certified in general practice with additional board qualifications in surgery and emergency medicine. Rocco is licensed and board certified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat skin diseases, as well as perform skin surgeries, provide cosmetic procedures, and prescribe medications.
Education
Rocco earned a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from the College of Medicine at the University of Nebraska and a Doctor of Health Sciences degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He began his career in 2001 practicing emergency medicine with the U.S. Army at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Later, Rocco went on to study and train in the practice of dermatology, and formally joined Dr. Kory Kitagawa’s team in 2015.
What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?
A PA is a healthcare provider who is nationally board certified and licensed to practice medicine with their collaborating physician. The PA profession was developed in the 1970’s by physicians to respond to a shortage of physicians in rural/underserved areas and the military.
PAs are trained by physicians in the medical school model to practice medicine with a high degree of autonomy, but always maintain a physician-PA collaborative team approach to patient care. PA practice is overseen and regulated by the state medical board for physicians and by the PA’s collaborating physician. This relationship increases access to care for patients and promotes a comprehensive healthcare team.
How is a Physician Assistant Educated?
Generally, PA education is about a six-year full-time college commitment, leading to a master’s degree in physician assistant medicine. PAs then must pass national medical board evaluations, be eligible for government-regulated medical and drug licenses, and maintain malpractice insurance. Many PAs continue their training in postgraduate PA residency programs to specialize in different areas of medicine and surgery.
Next, read frequently asked questions about medical and cosmetic dermatology.
