Why are Physician Assistants like Parastoo Tashakorinia a solution to the health care crisis ?
When Parastoo Tashakorinia, a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant, began her career in family medicine, she knew she wanted to make a difference. Originally from Iran, Parastoo moved to Canada at 16, overcoming immense cultural and language barriers. These experiences shaped her deep empathy for patients facing similar challenges, and one day, this empathy would help save a life.
One of her regular patients, an older man, came in for his routine annual physical. He was quiet and hesitant, and Parastoo, sensing his discomfort, took extra time to make sure he felt at ease. During the examination, she noticed something unusual in his bloodwork results—critical abnormalities that couldn’t be ignored. Her training told her this could be serious. After consulting with her supervising physician, Parastoo realized her patient needed immediate medical attention. However, there was a complication: the man spoke little English, and his daughter—the family’s only English speaker—was unavailable.
Parastoo saw herself in this patient. Like her, he had struggled with language barriers and the overwhelming feeling of being in an unfamiliar system. But Parastoo’s determination to help kicked in. She prepared a detailed medical letter in simple language, ensuring that her patient could hand it to the doctors at the hospital, guaranteeing he would receive the urgent care he needed without any delays.
Her quick action and compassionate support made all the difference. He was promptly admitted, diagnosed with cancer, and began treatment immediately. Thanks to Parastoo's intervention, the cancer was caught early, and his prognosis is now hopeful. “Because of you,” he told her later with tears in his eyes, “I didn’t just survive; I was truly seen and cared for.”
This is what being a Physician Assistant means to Parastoo—more than just diagnosing and treating; it’s about empowering patients and breaking down the barriers that stand between them and the care they need.
Physician Assistants: A Solution to the Primary Care Crisis
Ontario is facing a healthcare crisis: over 2.3 million Ontarians don’t have a family physician, and wait times are growing due to staff shortages. PAs like Parastoo are a key part of the solution, bringing not just medical expertise but also a human touch to every patient interaction.
Join Us in Supporting PAs
PAs are essential to solving Ontario’s health human resource crisis. Yet, restrictive policies and lack of awareness limit their impact. CAPA urges the Ontario government to better integrate PAs into the healthcare system and unlock their full potential.
Show your support by writing to your MPP today. Help ensure that more Ontarians get the compassionate, timely care they deserve.
Let’s work together to make sure that every patient—like Parastoo’s—feels truly seen, heard, and cared for.