Kristine (Bauer) Paulk stepped out on faith, leaving her hometown of Erath, Louisiana in order to be a part of Faulkner University’s brand new Physician Assistant (PA) program during one of the most uncertain and tumultuous times in modern history. It was the year 2020 and Paulk relocated to Montgomery, Alabama and began her studies in the university’s inaugural PA program.
Prior to this endeavor, she practiced as a surgical technologist for seven years and had earned her associate’s degree in applied science and a bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in medical sciences. She was among the first class to graduate from Faulkner’s College of Health Sciences with a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies
“As the inaugural cohort, we all faced challenges, but Faulkner provided every resource we needed to be successful,” Paulk said. “The curriculum was difficult, especially during the pandemic. Faulkner University persevered. They prioritized our education and recognized the importance of in person learning while keeping us all safe. Every facility member ensured their 24/7 availability and constant prayer to all 33 of us. I felt prepared to transition from a student to a practicing PA.”
“Faulkner facility taught me to be compassionate, patient, faith driven, and most importantly, flexible. Having professors that are practicing PA’s with powerful faith was instrumental to my success,” she added. “During rotations, many practicing providers praised our faculty on their professionalism and patient care. I knew I wanted to be that kind of PA.”
Paulk was recently honored at this year’s Marketplace Faith Friday Forums as the College of Health Sciences’ Accomplished Alumna for her accomplishments in the field of healthcare. She is currently enrolled in the APP certification program in Breast Health and is practicing as a surgical/oncology PA-C at UAB Breast Health Clinic.
Two days a week she is in the clinic seeing new patients, post operative patients, follow up patients in survivorship and performing in-office procedures such as infusion port removals, punch biopsies, seroma aspirations, wound care, breast abscesses incision and drainage. Three days a week, she assists in the operating room.
“My favorite part of the job is the relationships I develop with my breast cancer patients,” Paulk said. “From delivering the news that they have cancer, educating them about cancer, providing a familiar face on the day of surgery, transitioning them to medical/radiation treatments, and following up during survivorship. My second favorite is assisting Dr. Strickland in the operating room.”
She is newly married to a Faulkner Alumni, Brian Paulk and they share two dogs, Brew and Kramer.
