From Combat Medic to Physician Assistant of the Year

“I’ve been working as an Emergency Department PA for about two years now,” Heinrich said. “To say I’m a little shocked to get this award would be an understatement.” 

A California native, Heinrich always knew that he wanted to do something in the medical field but found himself at an impasse after a couple years of college. 

“I was really into sports, so I was playing basketball at a small college in Washington State,” Heinrich said. “I realized that sports weren’t something I wanted to do as a career. The military was something I had always considered, so I took a break from school to join the Army.” 

After Combat Medic training at Fort Sam Houston in 2013, Heinrich was posted to the prestigious 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy. During his time with the unit, he saw service in the Ukraine and the Baltics as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. 

“It was a great experience,” Heinrich said. “I was lucky to be with the 173rd.” 

By 2017, Heinrich found himself stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina and looking at his options once he left the Army. 

“My girlfriend, now wife, was attending school in Fayetteville,” Heinrich said. “When she graduated, she went back home to Maryland, so I moved up there after my service ended.”  

In Baltimore, Heinrich finished his undergraduate studies at Towson University. At first, he considered a career in Nursing, but one of his instructors persuaded him to consider becoming a PA. 

“One of my mentors at the time told me that he wouldn’t sign any recommendation unless it was for PA School,” Heinrich laughed.

The PA program at Towson was a challenge for Heinrich at first, but he pushed through the first difficult year. 

“COVID hit right as I began the program,” Heinrich said “So a lot of my studies had to take place at home. That was tough, but once I got to my clinical phase, I really started to shine.” 

It was during his clinical training at several health care centers around the Baltimore area that Heinrich found that he had a passion for working in emergency care.  

“I had great mentor at Mercy Medical Center Emergency Department,” Heinrich said. “I liked the fact that emergency medical care isn’t a cookie-cutter experience, it’s very dynamic, and I felt that fit my personality.” 

With graduation quickly approaching, Heinrich began searching for employment opportunities through the VA. 

“My GI Bill funds ran out halfway through the program, so I applied to and received a scholarship through the VA’s Health Professional Scholarship Program,” Heinrich said. “Part of the stipulation is that you have to serve at a VA facility.” 

After applying for positions at VA health care facilities across the country Heinrich had a bit of luck, he found that the Durham VA Health Care System was looking to fill a PA position in their Emergency Department. As soon he had graduated, he and his wife packed up and moved to Durham, North Carolina.

“I graduated on a Monday, and we moved down that Friday,” Heinrich said. “It took about two months to get through the hiring process and I worked a construction job while that was going on.” 

It was a bit of rocky start for Jonathan, he was one of two PAs in the Emergency Department, and he was fresh out of school. However, as he progressed, he began to find his footing.

“The ED doctors and other staff were great at helping me get a feel for how the emergency department worked,” Heinrich said. “Within a few months, I was already working at finding ways to help streamline the ED admissions process and getting Veterans care more quickly.” 

While it’s been two years of hard work and sacrifice, Heinrich feels he’s found his calling.

“To be honest, when I started at the Durham VA, I figured I’d do a few years and then move on,” Heinrich said. “But the work climate here is really awesome and it’s extremely rewarding caring for Veterans like me, I really can’t see myself working anywhere else.”