Cristman earned his certificate of physician assistant studies at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash.

His work history includes providing services at the Dahl Medical Center, Skagway, Alaska where he worked with outlying specialists and patient management. He also coordinated patient care with EMS personnel, and conducted organ-harvesting procurement for Life Alaska in Anchorage. Cristman brings 14 years of urgent care experience, including his service with Bassett Healthcare Network, Herkimer, SLHS said in a news release.

“I am patient-oriented, and care for others how I would want to be cared for,” Cristman said in a prepared statement from SLHS. “I will do anything within my professional experience to accommodate my patients, and give them the best evidence-based treatment available.”

Physician assistants are licensed medical professionals who work under the guidance of a physician. They conduct physical examinations, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and are qualified to assist in a multitude of medical and surgical procedures. PAs order and interpret diagnostic tests, perform suturing and castings, and work beside physicians in the operating room, SLHS said in their release.