MD Anderson's pediatric surgeon receives Geneva and James Briscoe Physician Assistant Award

Holly Green, a pediatric surgery physician assistant in the Department of Surgical Oncology, division of pediatrics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital, is the recipient of the 2011 Geneva and James Briscoe Physician Assistant Award for Excellence.

The $3,000 cash award, made possible by the Geneva and James Briscoe estate since 2003, recognizes an MD Anderson physician assistant who delivers quality patient care, demonstrates a commitment to research and education and serves as an inspiration to others. A committee of clinical faculty, past recipients and administrators selected Green.

Green has been a physician assistant for 24 years, 16 of those years in public health and eight at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital, where she supports a group of eight surgeons. She says patient comfort and safety are her main goals.

"When a patient's mother texts me from the emergency room late at night dismayed by her son's recurrent abdominal pain and the anguish of his uncertain future, I choose to remain available to help her," said Green. "When a family is on pins and needles waiting for a biopsy result that will forever change their lives, I choose to pursue all avenues to get the results before the weekend."

Green's desire to solve clinical issues also led to the creation of one-piece garments to protect toddlers' central venous catheters, funded by a grant from the PA Foundation of The American Academy of Physician Assistants.

"If I've achieved excellence in patient care, it's been due to support from pediatric nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, midlevel providers, child life specialists, oncologists, radiologists, schedulers, administrative staff and other team members," said Green.

In education, Green developed a curriculum in pediatric oncology for physician assistant students. This one-month program is a collaborative effort with 10 midlevel practitioners and two other surgical services. It has been well received by students from physician assistant programs in Georgia, Oregon and Texas. She has been an instructor in pediatric advanced life support and currently teaches pediatric fundamentals of critical care support for the Society of Critical Care Medicine. She also lectures to surgery residents, nurses and midlevel practitioners on central venous catheters, solid tumors and post-operative care.

Green received a bachelor of science and a physician assistant certificate with high honors from Baylor College of Medicine. She received the Del Mar College Progressive Scholarship for Academic Excellence and the Rice University Max Roy Scholarship for Academic Excellence. She has written and provided research for several publications, all with an emphasis on pediatrics.

Award nomination letters noted Green's many contributions to the MD Anderson team.

"There are no gaps in what she can or can't do," said Andrea Hayes-Jordan, M.D., associate professor at the children's hospital. "She's a complete physician assistant in terms of unparalleled patient care, research, communication with referring physicians and efficient documentation."