I was provided with my family practice preceptorship in the fall and winter 2007-2008 with John Betz, PA-C. All I can say is what a valuable, educational, and heartwarming experience it was. I was welcomed into this small rural community with open arms and left with a heavy heart to continue my education at various clerkships. I fell greatly blessed to have had the opportunity to work in the CBHA organization.

Having grown up in Goldendale, WA I was not nervous about assimilating into a small community. However, I was a little nervous about how I would be accepted as a student working in a community that took pride in its healthcare and had long established care with their quality providers. I was impressed how I was received by the community, their willingness to be seen by a student, and their ambition to help develop quality practitioners for the future. My apprehension quickly faded and I was supported throughout my time here by this wonderful community.

I was thoroughly impressed with the facilities CBHA has to offer for the community. The clinics and hospital are beautiful and well designed. The equipment at the facilities is second to none. CBHA strives to always provide their patients with the most current and up to date treatment options and I believe they are doing this and more. This would be a difficult feat for a private practice, but to see it happening in a community health care center is remarkable. The community should show nothing but pride for this outstanding organization that is keeping it healthy.

The other element that is keeping the community healthy is the outstanding providers employed here. I am impressed with their level of education, dedication towards education of themselves and students, compassion, and work ethic. As a student it is important to see a well-balanced interdisciplinary medical community that works together in an environment of teamwork and trust. My experience here provided me with these values and more – one of family. I can only hope that I can emulate these same values wherever my professional career takes me.

John Betz, PA-C instilled these principles on me in my daily interaction with him as a student. He is a great medical provider, teacher, and mentor. I couldn’t have asked for a better preceptor than him. Not only did he increase my medical knowledge base, but also taught me how to be a successful member of the medical team while giving the best patient care possible. John’s care for people is remarkable and his medical knowledge is unmatched. John is an outstanding role model and the whole community should be grateful that they were lucky enough to have him find their community more than 35 years ago. My only hope is that I can provide as good of care as he does when I become a certified physician assistant.

Thank you so much for allowing me to enter your community and learn from the best! I feel very fortunate that I was chosen for this site. Thank you all for putting your trust in me and allowing me to further my education in an organization that is unmatched in the state. You all should be very proud of the professionalism, excellence, and outstanding care that are seen daily at all the CBHA facilities. I would recommend this site to any student contemplating a rotation here. Thank you all again for helping shape my future with such a superb example.

Dan Patzer, PA-S, ATC
Physician Assistant Student
Medex Northwest Physician Assistant Program
University of Washington School of Medicine