Lancaster Orthopedic Group: Physician Assistants

Mid-Level Providers

At LOG, we utilize a team approach that allows for the highest quality service and treatment. An integral part of the team are our physician assistants, who are an extension of the care and subspecialty services our physicians provide. They are therefore required to maintain a specialized knowledge in the area of expertise that their supervising physician focuses on, including procedures performed. The physicians and PAs work together to offer a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan to return you quickly to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Physician Assistants

The national board examination required of all PA graduates is based in primary care, which is the basis of the PA education curriculum. PAs can specialize in two manners: after completing PA school, a graduate can enroll and complete a post graduate program for a particular specialty, or the graduate PA can align with a specialized physician who is willing to mentor him or her in the physician’s area of expertise.

PAs are licensed professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. Orthopedic surgeons who supervise PAs delegate a wide range of responsibilities to them. Typical PA duties include performing comprehensive histories and physical exams prior to surgery, ordering and interpreting lab tests, and assisting in surgery. PAs first assist and perform surgical tasks as directed by their supervising physician. Postoperatively, PAs conduct hospital rounds, write orders, take call, help formulate and implement therapeutic treatment plans for patients, and dictate discharge summaries. PAs also order and prescribe medications and orthopedic devices within the limits of state law.

Leonard A. Berry, PA-C

Leonard is a 2010 graduate of Marywood University in Scranton where he received his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies as well as a citation in Clinical Excellence. Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Leonard was a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (1992-2002). In 2000, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Bloomsburg University. He received his certification in Medical Technology also in 2000 from the Scranton Medical Technology Consortium.

Leonard is certified by the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants).

Brian C. Burk, PA-C

Brian is a 2010 graduate of Anne Arundel Community College’s (located in Arnold, Maryland) Physician Assistant program. Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Brian received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA. He also received a Master of Science degree in Physical Education with a Biophysical Emphasis from East Stroudsburg University.

Brian, Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, is a member of the American Association of Physician Assistants, Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, as well as the Maryland Association of Physician Assistants. He is also certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Specialist as well as a registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist.

The recipient of the 2010 President’s Award at Anne Arundel Community College, Brian was also inducted into Pi Alpha, the National Honor Society for Physician Assistants, in July of 2010.

Robert S. Huang, PA-C

Robert is a certified Physician Assistant who received his training at Drexel University where he received a Master’s degree in Health Science. Prior to this, he received a Pre-medicine in Biology Bachelor of Science degree at Pennsylvania State University.

Robert is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is language proficient in Chinese (Mandarin and Taiwanese).

Tracie L. Kortright, MPAS, PA-C

Tracie Kortright, a native of Lancaster County, has been a physician assistant since 2001. After completing her high school education at Lampeter-Strasburg, she attended Lebanon Valley College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Medical Psychology.

During her last two years of college, and an additional year following graduation, Tracie completed an independent research project on sepsis at Hershey Medical Center. Her research has been published in the medical journals Shock and The American Journal of Physiology.

Tracie’s research led her to pursue a physician assistant education at Saint Francis University where she received a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Sciences in 2001. After 4 years of assisting seven surgeons at Orthopedic Consultants in a wide range of orthopedic procedures, she teamed with Dr. Raymond Dragann in 2005. She has developed a special interest in joint replacement, shoulder arthroscopy and fracture care. Tracie is very excited to continue providing experienced physician assistant services in the clinic and operating room with Dr. Dragann at Lancaster Orthopedic Group.

Tracie is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery and is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Ranae L. McPhail, PA-C

Ranae is a 1996 honor graduate of Cowley County Community College (Kansas) where she received an Associate of Science Degree in Pre-Medicine. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Services Organization and Policy as well as a Bachelor of Science as a Physician Assistant from Wichita State University, both in 1999. She joined Orthopedic Consultants in 2000, which became part of LOG in 2011.

Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), Ranae is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and an associate member of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants. She is a certified provider of BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support).

Ranae has developed special interest in osteoarthritis of the knees and hips, osteoporosis and general orthopedics. She works closely with Dr. Renz.

Puja P. Patel, PA-C

Puja is a certified Physician Assistant who received her training at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where she received a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Prior to this, she received a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. Puja is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Lauren J. Santucci, PA-C

Lauren is a Certified Physician Assistant and a 2009 graduate of the Arcadia University Physician Assistant and Public Health dual degree program. While attending Arcadia University, Lauren received the Gretchen Paruch Humanitarian Award as well as the Academic Coordinators’ Award for the graduating class of 2009. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003. Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Lauren worked as a research coordinator and research technician at the University of Pennsylvania Treatment Research Center in Philadelphia.

Lauren is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Brian R. Walters, PA-C

Brian has been a resident of Palmyra, PA for the past 14 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA along with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Athletic Training from Penn State University in University Park, PA.

Brian is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Along with being ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support) certified, he is also a certified and state licensed athletic trainer.

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)

A Nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed graduate-level education (either a Master's or a Doctoral degree). All Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses who have completed extensive additional education, training, and have a dramatically expanded scope of practice over the traditional RN role. To become licensed/certified to practice, Nurse Practitioners hold national board certification in an area of specialty (such as family, women's health, pediatrics, adult, acute care, etc.), and are licensed or certified through the state nursing boards rather than medical boards.

Krissy A. Oudinot, MSN, CRNP

Krissy received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Alvernia College, Reading in 2000. She then went on to earn a Masters of Science Degree as a Nurse Practitioner from Millersville University, where she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing. While completing her nursing education, Krissy was the recipient of many academic excellence awards.

Prior to working in an orthopedic setting, Krissy worked as an operating room nurse for four years at a local hospital as well as an occupational health nurse for Carpenter Technology in Reading. She also worked as a telemetry nurse in the progressive care unit at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Reading. Krissy then went on to private practice and joined Orthopedic Consultants in 2004, which became part of Lancaster Orthopedic Group in 2011.

Certified through the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center), Krissy specializes in spinal surgery and teams with Dr. Oliveri in the clinic as well as surgery.