Physician Assistant & Hobby Farmer
An Interview with Crystal Webb, PA-C, Physician Assistant and Hobby Farmer
Physician Assistant in Burn Surgery in the Department of Surgery
Introducing Crystal Webb
My name is Crystal Webb, and I'm a physician assistant at the University of Utah Burn Center.
Personal Motivation and Career Path
My brother's actually a burn survivor, and I helped to participate in his care here at the University of Utah in 2007, and that's what drove me to become a physician assistant, specifically in Burn.
My education started originally as hoping to go into physical therapy. But my brother sustained his accident in 2007. And, at that time, I was a certified nursing assistant at a hospital locally. I participated in his wound care. He was admitted for six months here at the burn center, and I was able to see the entire multidisciplinary approach to burn care.
And I knew that's what I wanted to pursue.
Professional Involvement and Innovation
I'm a big part of the American Burn Association.
We are becoming more involved in the burn specialty to help with the multidisciplinary approach of burn centers.
By partnering with another advanced practice clinician, we are creating a curriculum that is increasing continuity of care for our patients. This will set precedence, globally rather than just in the burn surgery field.
We have recently incorporated—well, in the last few years—a week and more of reconstructive practice, including laser reconstruction for our burn patients to assist with scarring. And the advanced practice providers are also providing care for that.
Comprehensive Burn Care Approach
So with the multidisciplinary approach of burn, we are able to see patients in the inpatient, outpatient, surgery throughout the whole process of their burn injury, including aftercare. So I also am a medical lead in our outpatient burn camps for pediatric patients. And so I oversee the medical program, and we get to watch these survivors not only live, but thrive.
Life Beyond the Coat: Hobby Farming
Beyond the coat. Something that drives me is working on my farm.
It started with chickens and now I have goats. I have a cute mini highland cow. I have rabbits, dogs and cats. And I have a very large garden. It is a lot of work, but the satisfaction I get from going home every day and getting to see a bunch of mammals who are very excited to see me, makes the end of my day worth it.
Parallels Between Farming and Burn Surgery
Hobby farming directly relates to how burn surgery is practiced. So it requires patience. Things do not come quickly. Our patients are typically admitted for many weeks to months, to undergo many surgeries.
And I relate that a lot to farming because it's a lot of an act in patience. So I also have learned a lot about veterinary medicine to try to take care of my farm.
Farm Joys and Lessons
Right now, I have four baby goats who are four weeks old, and if you’ve ever seen something more joyful than a baby goat, I would love to know.
It is like the world is their ocean and it is very vast.
And they are not limited to just a small area. So I take that knowledge and I try to apply it to my everyday practice, because sometimes we get so focused and so narrow-minded that we forget to see the big picture.
Animal Companions
I have a really cute, miniature Highland cow.
Her name is Apple and we are working to get her halter trained. I would love to be able to take her to events, because, I mean, who doesn't love a hairy cow?
I have ten chickens. I have nine hens and a rooster. And they are 2 to 3 years old and all producing really well. My husband built me a very lovely chicken coop.
They get like Taj Mahal of chicken coop.
So I'm very lucky, but I get to produce eggs and I give them to my friends and family. So it's really nice to be able to give them something that, you know, is kind of homegrown.
Closing
My name is Crystal Webb. And beyond the coat, I am a hobby farmer.