68107 and 68108 are the only two ZIP codes where Stella Washington has seen patients. An internship led to a job in her south Omaha community, with a predominately Hispanic population.
“People need to see health care professionals who look like them, who share the same obstacles or the same culture. It’s important that they have someone who identifies with them,” Washington said.
That’s why her career has taken her from family practice to women’s health and from 25th and L to 24th and Vinton Streets. Patients have followed.
“Lots of female patients came to me as their primary provider so it was a natural transition for them to seek me out as their women’s health provider,” she said.
Even though her current clinic primarily serves OB-GYN patients, Washington said primary care gives her a broad foundation to see “the whole family” and enjoy the spectrum of care. For mid-level providers it also is “a good place to get your feet wet to see what you want to do long-term,” she adds.
Opportunity abounds for physician assistants to start or stay in primary care. In doing so, Washington said, you won’t lose your knowledge or experience base. Something she said often happens when a person chooses a specialty.
While her practice is general medicine, she chose to work with a specific patient population. As a first generation Mexican-American, Washington is dedicated to serving the Hispanic community.
“I love people, love medicine and love working with people who love this community,” she said.
Washington is quick to point out that while many Latinos prefer health providers who share the same culture, it isn’t a requirement.
“In the course of mentoring students, I met several who were white, eager to care for this patient population and Spanish-speaking. Color is not the barrier, it is language.”
First year physician assistant students at UNMC often get a course in cultural diversity from Washington, a UNMC physician assistant graduate. She enjoys giving back to her alma mater and her community.
After all, it’s her passion.