ĢƵ Alumna Earns National Recognition for Receiving Specialty Credential In Cardiovascular And Thoracic Surgery
Apr 2, 2019

BROOKLYN, NY – SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Health-Related Professions (CHRP) graduate
Melanie L. Cottone, MHA, PA-C, FAPACVS, has earned national recognition for receiving a specialty credential—the Certificate
of Added Qualifications—for cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. The Certificate of
Added Qualifications is a distinction earned by meeting rigorous and demanding licensure,
education, and experience requirements, and then passing a national exam in the specialty.
The certification program is administered by the National Commission on Certification
of Physician Assistants and designed only for physician assistants (PAs) who have
displayed significant mastery and experience in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Nationally,
only 3.5 percent of PAs are cardiovascular and thoracic certified.
“SUNY Downstate Medical Center’s mission is to advance the medical sciences for the
community at large, and Melanie is a testament to our mission of staying ahead of
the curve on medical advancements,” said SUNY Downstate CHRP Dean Allen Lewis, Ph.D. “We are proud of her achievements as a SUNY Downstate alumna, and we congratulate
Melanie on her accreditation and pursuit of life-long learning in the medical profession.”
Cardiovascular and thoracic PAs are critical members of the surgical specialty team
and play a vital role in preparing patients for surgery, assisting during procedures
and providing post-surgical care. Cardiothoracic surgery includes coronary artery
bypass surgery, heart transplant, lung transplant, and removal of parts of the lung
affected by cancer.
“Pursuing a credential in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery was rigorous work; and
it has solidified my expertise, key for when lives are on the line,” said Cottone. “I recently took on an educator role to mentor current and future physician assistants,
and I look forward to sharing my specialty skills and knowledge to help develop other
PAs on the surgical team.
To learn more about the Physician Assistant program at SUNY Downstate, click here.
To learn more about the CAQ in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants,
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Contact: Dawn S. Walker
917.439.9666 | 347.533.2071
dawn.walker@downstate.edu
ĢƵ ĢƵ
ĢƵ is the borough's only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care. It is a 342-bed facility serving the healthcare needs of New York City and Brooklyn's 2.6 million residents. University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) is Downstate's teaching hospital, backed by an outstanding medical school's expertise and world-class academic center research facilities. More than 800 physicians, representing 53 specialties and subspecialties—many of them ranked as tops in their fields—comprise Downstate's staff.
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