What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions. Within the PA-physician relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research and administrative services.

At IBJI - Lake Shore Orthopaedics, we offer Physician Assistant care to give our patients additional time and personal attention. Caroline Peterson and Stacy Schmitz, our PAs, work closely with our specialists and emphasize patient education and communication. They are here to answer all your questions, explain any tests or treatments and to give you the personal care IBJI - Lake Shore Orthopaedics is known for.

Caroline Peterson, MS PA-C

Board-Certified: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
MS: Physician Assistant, Finch University School of Health Sciences - Chicago Medical School
Master Thesis Study: Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Chicago
Member: American Academy of Physician Assistants, Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants
Education: Barat College - Suma Cum Laude; Western Illinois University
Clinical Interests: General Orthopaedics, Total Joint Arthroplasty, Sports Medicine

Office Hours:

Gurnee:           Tuesday: 1:00 – 5:00 in conjuction with Dr. Summerville
                        Wednesday: 1:00 – 5:00 in conjuction with Dr. Nemickas
                        Thursday: 1:00 – 5:00
                        Friday: 8:00 – 12:00 in conjuction with Dr. Logue

Stacy Schmitz, MS PA-C

Board-Certified: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
MS: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Education: Boston College - Golden Key Honor Society, Dean's List

Office Hours:

Monday: 1:00 – 5:00 in conjuction with Dr. DeLeon
Wednesday: 1:00 – 5:00 in conjuction with Dr. Ed Hamming
Thursday: 1:00 – 5:00 in conjuction with Dr. Dugan
Friday: 8:00 – 12:00 in conjuction with Dr. DeLeon