Physician Assistant Week 2025

Each year, from October 6 to 12, we take the opportunity to celebrate National Physician Assistants Week and recognize this dedicated group of professionals who provide exceptional care to our patients at North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists. Each plays a transformative role in our practice as well as the communities we serve by delivering high-quality, collaborative care that prioritizes patients' needs.

According to the American Association of Physician Assistants, becoming a licensed Physician Assistant (PA) requires the completion of one of the 303 accredited master’s degree programs available in the U.S. These programs typically span three academic years and involve an extensive curriculum that includes 2,000 hours of clinical rotations. After completing their training, PA candidates must also pass a certification exam and meet additional requirements to earn their license.

Maintaining certification as a PA requires ongoing professional development, including completing 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and passing a recertification exam every ten years. This commitment to lifelong learning ensures that PAs remain current with the latest medical advancements. 

Download the AAPA “What is a PA?” flyer to learn more.

Meet the North Florida Bone & Joint PAs

Charles Barnes, PA-C, has been practicing as a Physician Assistant since 2003. He has ten years

of combined Emergency Medicine/Urgent Care experience and seven years of orthopaedic trauma and upper extremity experience to his role, working with orthopaedic hand surgeons Dr. Steven Kronlage, Dr. Alex Coleman and Dr. James Piorkowski.

Sarah Baroni, PA-C, graduated from Gannon University in 2005 with a master’s degree as a Physician Assistant. She has worked in orthopedics her entire career. Sarah has been caring for patients suffering from hip and knee pain alongside Dr. Brett Smith since 2007.

Kerrie Begley, PA-C, attended the University of West Florida for undergraduate studies in Biology while gaining experience as an employee at Andrews Institute. She received her master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2017. Kerrie works with orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Chris O’Grady, treating patients as part of his orthopaedic and sports medicine practice.

Mason Hicks, PA-C, is a proud graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina and has been practicing in orthopedics and trauma/critical care since 2010. He now specializes in hip preservation, working alongside Dr. Matthew Mai to treat patients from around the globe who seek expert care for complex hip conditions. Mason also serves our community by covering the tactical medical needs of local law enforcement and first responders.

Chris Key, PA-C, received his bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Alabama and his master’s degree as a Physician Assistant from the University of South Alabama. He has worked in orthopaedics since graduating in 2005. Chris is also part of Dr. O’Grady’s orthopaedics and sports medicine team.

Jason G. Lunsford, PA-C, graduated with a master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2006 and completed the U.S. Army/Baylor University Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Residency Program, earning his Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2011. He served in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 2015. Jason is also part of Dr. Smith’s team, specializing in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the hip and knee.

Amanda Wolfard, PA-C, is a NCCPA board-certified Physician Assistant with over eight years of specialized experience in orthopedic surgery, licensed in Florida, and credentialed in BLS, ACLS, and PALS. In her role with Dr. Roger Ostrander, Amanda manages a high-volume service focused on orthopedic sports medicine and surgery with a strong focus on patient education and advocacy. She also serves as a PA-C with the Alabama Army National Guard.

Click the play button below to watch this episode of The Bone & Joint Brief video series.