Chief Clinical Consultant for
Physician Assistants

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More About Frances Placide

Prior to joining PHS CDR Placide spent 8 years in the Army as an Occupational Therapist (OT).  Upon joining PHS she worked in Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) as an OT and later as a PA.  In her current assignment as Senior PA at Cherokee Indian Hospital her clinical work includes providing medical services in the outpatient and urgent care clinic as well as medical management and coordination to this hospital’s first program for chronic pain sufferers.

CDR Placide is the recipient of numerous uniformed services awards including an Army Meritorious Service Medal, PHS Achievement Medal, PHS Unit Commendations and the Surgeon General Special Assignment Award. She was also the recipient of 2003 AMSUS PA of the Year Award and a National Health Service Corps Scholar.

She is a founding member and the first Chair of PHS Physician Assistant Professional Advisory Group (PAPAG) -- providing advice to the Surgeon General on matters that affect PAs in the corps.  CDR Placide also serves as the PA/nurse practitioner representative to the IHS Loan Repayment Program.  She is a fellow member of the AAPA, PHS Academy of PAs, ROA, past president and vice-president of Cherokee COA, and founder of Cherokee Nurse Practitioner & Physician Assistant group. She’s a member of CCRF and deployed with OFRD twice in 2005- providing medical relief to Red Lake Indian Hospital and Hurricane Katrina.

CDR Placide is an avid proponent of physical fitness- often riding her bicycle 15 miles (one way) to work, running ½ marathons and hiking.  She enjoys playing the piano, African Drums and DJ- mixing music.  She thoroughly enjoys her family and animals and tries to never ever sweat the small stuff.

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