Physician Assistants

Several Commonwealth Orthopaedic offices utilize Physician Assistants (PAs) enhancing patient-care services and improving accessibility to skilled health care services for our patients. You may interact with one of our PAs  during your care with us. Below is a description of a Physician Assistant, followed by biographical information on the PAs that practice with Commonwealth.

What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?
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 in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA 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.

PAs are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) .
Because of the close working relationship the PAs have with physicians, PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. To maintain their national certification, PAs must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for a recertification every six years. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure.

Herndon Office

AnnaMarie Chyle, PA-C

A native of State College, PA, Annie received her Bachelor's and Master’s of Physician Assistant Sciences degrees from Saint Francis University, in Loretto, PA.  She worked in the Department of Surgery at UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA before relocating to the northern Virginia area, where she joined the Commonwealth staff in December 2005.  A former high school and college athlete, Annie’s involvement in sports and her subsequent injuries sparked an interest in musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology, which ultimately led her to a career in orthopaedics.  She particularly values her position at Commonwealth because it allows her to participate in the entire course of a patient’s care.  Her time is spent in the office evaluating and treating patients, as well as in the operating room assisting with surgery.  She enjoys educating patients about their injuries or ailments, advising them of their treatments options, and helping them to recover and improve their quality of life.  She has particular interest in the management and treatment of sports related injuries, arthroscopic surgery, and total joint replacement surgery.   

A member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Annie resides in McLean with her fiancé, Dave. 

      

Ryan Fitzmorris, PA-C

A New Jersey native, Ryan received his Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Virginia and Master’s of Physician Assistant Sciences degree from Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA. He joined Commonwealth Orthopaedics in October 2002 and currently works both in the surgical setting and as an office based clinical PA. He works primarily with Tushar Patel, M.D., and aides in the evaluation and treatment of spinal disorders. The time spent in the operating room assisting in surgery mixed with the time treating patients from a non-surgical standpoint in the office provides the variety that led Ryan to specializing in orthopaedics and subsequently joining Commonwealth.   

Ryan currently has professional memberships in the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA), The Virginia Association of Physician Assistants (VAPA), the American Association of Orthopaedic Physician Assistants (AAOPA), and the North American Spine Society (NASS). He resides in Reston, VA with his wife Renee and their daughter.

   

Patrick Matheny, PA-C

Patrick is a native of Falls Church, Va. He has 28 years of orthopaedic experience. His medical career began in 1973 when he joined the US Army and became a Medical corpsman. After the service he attended Northern Virginia Community College's Nursing Program and became an RN in 1979. From 1979 to 1982 he was an orthopaedic Nurse Specialist at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Patrick graduated from George Washington University's PA Program with a Bachelor's in Health Sciences in 1984. From 1984 to 1997 he worked in a solo practice with Brant Vitek Sr., a now retired Orthopaedic Surgeon. Pat joined Commonwealth's Herndon group in 1997.

Patrick covers multiple sports at Paul VI Catholic High School and is a member of their Board of Governors. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants, and  Physician Assistants in Orthopaedics Surgery. He lives in Fairfax with his wife Laura, a Registered Nurse at Inova Fairfax Hospital, and their two children, Daniel, a student at Georgetown University, and Natalie, a student at Paul VI Catholic High School.

 

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Fairfax Office

Michael Early, PA-C

A native of Maryland, Michael received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from James Madison University in Virginia.  He went on to earn a Master’s of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pennsylvania. After choosing to return to the D.C. metropolitan area, he joined Commonwealth Orthopaedics in October 2005.  Currently, Michael works out of the Fairfax office, where he assists doctors Brantley Vitek MD and H. Edward Lane MD in both surgical and non-surgical management of a wide scope of orthopaedic disorders. Michael’s lifelong involvement in sports has given him first-hand knowledge of orthopaedic injuries and the subsequent management of those injuries. As the Physician Assistant to both Drs. Vitek and Lane, Michael feels that he is particularly fortunate to be involved in the care of the more diversified patient population that results from working with two accomplished physicians.  Michael’s orthopaedic interests include total joint replacement, all arthroscopic joint procedures, and disorders of the spine.

Michael is currently a member of the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA).  Michael resides in Fairfax with his fiancé Danelle and in his spare time enjoys playing rugby with a local men’s club.

 

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Reston Office

Kimberly L Farnsworth, PA-C, MSEd, ATC

Kim grew up in Washington State earning her bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine and playing basketball at Eastern Washington University.  She began her exposure to orthopaedic injuries as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) working and studying at Northern Illinois University for her master’s degree.  Upon completion of her master of science in Exercise Physiology, Kim accepted a position at the United States Military Academy where she worked as an ATC and instructor in the Department of Physical Education.  Kim’s final ATC position was at The Evergreen State College as Head Athletic Trainer.  After 10 years of practice as an ATC, Kim chose to further her medical expertise by attending and graduating the University of Washington’s MEDEX Northwest PA program.    

In her spare time, Kim participates as a competitive triathlete where she achieved national ranking six times and raced in USA Triathlon’s age group nationals four times.  Kim enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband Jerry who is an officer in the United States Army.  Kim’s diverse knowledge of sports and passion for orthopaedics make her a good fit at the Commonwealth Reston office. 

 

Erik Larsen, PA-C

Originally from the Chicago area, Erik has been a Washingtonian for the past twenty-five years.  He attended St. John’s College High School and received a Bachelor's of Science from James Madison University.  Following work as an emergency room technician at the Washington Hospital Center and as an EMT for a local Fire and Rescue Squad, he attended Wake Forest University for his Physician Assistant degree and graduated with honors.  Upon graduation, he returned to the Washington D.C. area and began his career at Commonwealth Orthopaedics in 2003.  Erik assists the Reston physicians in the operating room, hospital and office settings.  His special interests include total joint replacement and ACL reconstruction.  Erik currently resides in Reston with his wife and daughter.

 

Jeffrey Morrison, PA-C

Originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Jeff Morrison graduated from Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA with his Masters in Physician Assistant Sciences in May of 2006.   He joined the Commonwealth family soon after.  His previous educational background includes a brief stay at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY before transferring to Elon University in North Carolina.  He graduated with honors and received his Bachelors of Science in Sports Medicine.  Currently Jeff lives in Reston, VA, and enjoys the Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots.  His favorite food is chicken wings.

 

 

Sarah M. Packard, PA-C, ATC

A native of Virginia, Sarah earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine from Elon University in North Carolina.  After working at both the collegiate and secondary levels as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), she attended Shenandoah University, earning a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Given her background as an athletic trainer and a lifelong interest in athletics, orthopaedics was a natural path for Sarah, who joined Commonwealth Orthopaedics in 2007.  Sarah assists the Reston physicians in the office, hospital, and surgical settings.  Her special interests include sports medicine and total joint replacement.  Sarah has professional memberships with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). She resides in Reston and enjoys exercise, reading, traveling, and being outdoors.

 

Nathaniel Stevens, PA-C

Nate, who originally hails from Pittsburgh, PA, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003.  In 2006 Nate earned his master’s degree as a Physician Assistant from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA.  He began his career as a Physician Assistant in 2006, where he practiced for one year in Plastic Surgery.  Nate joined the Commonwealth Orthopaedics Reston office in August 2007 where he practices as both a surgical and office based Physician Assistant.  He works primarily with Dr. B. Thomas Mazahery, but also frequently assists Dr. Thomas Klein.   His interests are spine surgery and sports related injuries.  He aspires to one day work as a Physician Assistant for a professional sports team, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Nate currently resides Herndon and enjoys exercise and fitness.

 

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Arlington/Tysons Corner Office

Lauren Chesnut, PA-C

Lauren, originally from Sacramento, CA, came to the northern Virginia area after completing her undergraduate studies at Indiana University in Exercise Science.  At IU Lauren competed on the women’s track and field team where she currently holds the school indoor and outdoor Triple Jump record and was one of the nation’s top jumpers.

She completed her Physician Assistant training at George Washington University with a Masters in Health Sciences.  Her athletic and education background in conjunction with experience as a Physical Therapy Aid, made orthopaedics an ideal fit.  Lauren joined Commonwealth in the fall of 2007 and now works in both the Tysons and Arlington offices with Dr. Annunziata.  She evaluates and treats patients in the office as well as assists in surgery.  Lauren particularly enjoys arthroscopic surgery, ACL reconstruction, and the management of other sports related injuries.

She is an active member if the American Academy of Physicians Assistants and currently resides in Herndon with her fiancé Chris. 

 

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