Jody Mikkelson, PA-C | PA of the Year

Jody Mikkelson, PA-C is a 2000 graduate of Midwestern University. She practices in family medicine at Voyage Healthcare (formerly North Clinic) in Maple Grove. Two of her patients offered these comments when they nominated her:

Jody remembers your individual personal issues and always asks about them. She takes the time to listen when you're troubled or concerned. She is down to earth, kind, precise, and has a good sense of humor. She makes me feel safe. She is always thorough and explains all aspects of my medical issues and plans very well. She will continually tackle an issue until it is resolved whether it's her efforts or referral. I trust her completely with my healthcare. I am 73 years old and have never had a provider that I trust this much.
I have seen Jody for 19 years. She has always listened to me and has been proactive with my care. She is such a compassionate person with her true feelings of how much she appreciates you and your concerns. My care with Jody has always been about me and helping me with my emotional and physical issues. Again, she is proactive and explains why she prescribes the things she does. She is trustworthy and honest.

Jody’s medical support staff, Kate Hoiland, shared this:
"I have worked with Jody Mikkelson for the past almost 7 years as her medical support staff or CMA. I have learned a great deal from Jody. Jody is always open to my questions and cares that I am interested in the patients as well. She is great at explaining a diagnosis to her patients and they are so grateful for that! A patient who comes in not feeling well appreciates getting to the bottom of why. It may take more than just a quick test and sending them out the door with some medications. She wants them to feel better. It may take more than one visit and a few more tests to figure things out but her patients trust her. Jody listens to her patients and they trust her.
Jody is also is known for catching something before it becomes something bigger. Yes, I'm talking about biopsies. She doesn't mind doing a good mole removal or being a pimple popper! We have seen some good ones! She has helped many patients find many spots on their bodies before they become bigger issues. Jody knows what to look for and her patients truly trust her.

Jody has built a great rapport with of her patients and has taught me to do this as well. Jody has gotten to know not only her patients but their families as well. And even their dogs! Yes, she remembers dogs’ names. Together we have cried tears over deaths of loved ones, celebrated births, seen them grow up and celebrated anniversary dates of disease survivors. Jody has brought me into her "Voyage family", and I am forever grateful for this. My family now has Jody has our provider and we love her. They have nothing but amazing things to say about her. She is truly an amazing provider and deserves this award!"

A fellow PA at Voyage, Caitlin Burk, PA-C shared this:
"I have had the honor to work with Jody for the last 5.5 years and she is a joy to work with. She has great rapport with her patients. She goes out of her way to take the time with them and listens well and educates appropriately. She doesn't just care about the issues of the day, but their personal life too (if they offer that up.) A lot of days, she will have minimal time to eat her lunch as she will take on a walk-in appointment or be finishing up with some procedure she was doing. No complaints from her, just putting patients first.
She has an upbeat spirit and is friendly to all, co-workers and patients. She is willing to collaborate on patient care when needed with other providers in clinic, a team-player. I am glad she received this award, as it is much deserved for her."

A fellow PA at Voyage, Laura Kramer, PA-C shared this:
"I am thrilled to hear that MAPA will be awarding Jody Mikkelson, PA-C with the 2020 PA of the Year award. Jody has been practicing medicine with Voyage Healthcare (formerly North Clinic) for the past 20 years. I feel blessed to have worked alongside her for nearly 18 years. Without question, Jody's commitment to the health and well-being of her patients is unwavering. Her patient population praises her compassion, honesty, and empathy. As a colleague, I also admire her confidence and consistent work ethic. Jody is passionate about her work as a PA and understands the sacrifices that accompany a career in medicine. In addition, she continues to help shape the next generation of PAs, frequently volunteering to help precept when we have students rotating through our clinic. I feel honored to work with Jody and extend my praise both as a colleague and a friend. Congrats Jody!"

And her physician partner, Dr. Jerome Merkel, shared this:
"Jody Mikkelson deserves this honor. Twenty years of compassionate and dedicated work for her patients is one of the greatest reasons Jody is so deserving of this award. Working side by side with Jody, I have marveled at her skills which include so much more than her keen diagnostic capabilities and vast medical knowledge. As Jody works with patients, she has this beautiful gift of being able to communicate clearly and with compassion. She has a way of just being able to say the right thing. Jody really has a grasp of providing confident medical care along with reassurance for patients that need that approach. Beyond that, very importantly, includes her ability to work with the more sick and frail patients and their families with her timely listening, her caring responses and optimal care coordination.

Jody’s skills of medical knowledge, vast patient care and patient interaction make her a very distinguished and deserving Physician Assistant of the Year. It is always a joy, pleasure and frankly positive learning experience for myself, other providers and the staff to be able to work with Jody each day. Along with this opportunity for many of us to work with Jody over 20 years, the true reward has been for her patients whom she has always taken care of with enthusiasm, devotion, and the utmost compassion. Congratulations to Jody on this honor and award."

Message from Jody:
"Due to the public health crisis the MAPA Spring CME was transitioned to a virtual event so, wile she was in attendance, Jody didn’t have an opportunity to respond. Here is what she planned to share:
I would like to thank the MAPA for choosing me to receive this special honor and recognition of physician assistant of the year. Over the past 20 years as a family practice PA, my purpose has been to help patients be the best version of themselves and work with others to make positive changes in their community. Being involved in community groups and helping others has always been a passion of mine. I have done this thru being a Girl Scout troop leader, volleyball coach, parent coordinator and first aid mom for the Champlin Park Marching Band.
Working with families in the clinic and groups in the community has helped me become a better PA and has really enriched my life. I am so proud to work with such an extraordinary group of family practice physicians, PAs, OB/GYNs, podiatrists, rheumatologist, and colon and rectal surgeons at Voyage Healthcare. Our philosophy at the clinic has been where caring is a tradition.

As a patient of the clinic since birth, my family doctor Marty Weems planted the seed and interest in medicine and was most instrumental with me becoming a physician assistant. When I graduated from PA school, I knew that I wanted to work for the group that I knew so well. Our philosophy has changed with growth in our practice to “health begins here” to provide care at every stage in life with a professional yet personal touch. I have embraced this philosophy when caring for patients and precepting medical residents and PA students.

The most two important things I’ve learned along the way is to be an empathetic listener and to be proactive with patient health. What has been so rewarding is to have several patients want to become a PA after my experiences with them, much like how I became interested in medicine. To date, I have four patients that have become PAs. I always try to surround myself with greatness and great things will come my way. Every day brings new life and I enjoy providing care every step of the way."
Sincerely, Jody Mikkelson PA-C