Zivian Spotlight: Heather Valasek, PA-C
Zivian Health is proud to support advanced practice clinicians. In addition to providing healthcare compliance and collaboration support, we want to share the stories of the healthcare professionals we serve.
Today we spotlight Heather Valasek, a Board Certified Physician Assistant from California specializing in Dermatology.
Valasek spoke with us about her journey as a healthcare professional and her experience with Zivian Health. Read on to learn more!
Early Inspirations
It’s clear that Heather Valasek was determined to become a healthcare professional from an early age.
“Before I ever went to undergrad, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant right out of high school as well as a rehab technician,” she shared.
Valasek began her healthcare journey working in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities assisting people who had just undergone surgery. Next, she went to school to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Valasek worked on an ambulance for several years and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Being an EMT was probably my favorite job,” she said. “You have a lot of autonomy for such an entry-level position. You know enough so that you can keep someone stabilized until you get them to the hospital, and you’re saving lives.”
Valasek’s experience as an EMT gave her a tremendous amount of respect for these first-responders. “In my opinion, EMT’s are not given the credit they deserve for the hard work that they do,” she said.
Finding Her Passion
Valasek’s journey to becoming a Physician Assistant is an intensely personal one.
In early adulthood, Valasek developed a very rare skin condition named acne conglobata. At first, despite seeing a variety of specialists, she was unable to receive a clear diagnosis or suitable treatment. As a result, she immersed herself in research in search of relief.
Eventually, Valasek saw a Dermatology PA who went above and beyond to help her research and successfully treat the condition.
In addition, Valasek’s father has battled all three of the most common types of skin cancer. She has spent years caring for him and has developed empathy for those in similar situations.
Despite the stressful circumstances, these experiences created a strong affinity and preference for dermatology and led her to realize what an important role she could play in others’ lives as a Dermatology PA.
Becoming a Physician Assistant
Valasek has lived in quite a few places around the US – Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, and most recently, California. In fact, she strategically applied to California PA schools because she knew she wanted to make the Golden State her home for the foreseeable future.
Valasek spoke to us from her home in Pismo, CA, located on the state’s Central Coast.
“When I applied to PA school, I chose schools in California because I wanted to be there long-term,” she said. “Thankfully I got what I wanted – I got my first choice and ended up coming out here.”
Valasek completed a fellowship with the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and has been a Physician Assistant for 4 years.
Opening Her Own Practice
After her fellowship, Valasek spent several years as the solo provider of a clinic in a rural area through the Skin & Cancer Institute. She describes this experience as “fast-paced, something like 60 patients a day.”
Eventually, Valasek decided to open her own practice, Anew Aesthetics, for a change of pace and to better serve patients with dermatology needs on the Central Coast of California.
“When I was starting my practice, waiting lists for a Dermatologist on the Central Coast averaged 2 to 6 months,” she said.
Valasek opened Anew Aesthetics to solve problems like this – healthcare access and great patient care are her priorities. She does not take insurance and makes sure the cost for care remains very reasonable for her local patient population.
We also asked Valasek if she had any advice for advanced practice providers who are considering starting their own practice.
“I tell people that if they’re considering opening their own practice, they should,” she said. “Don’t let fear get in your way. It’s just important to find and surround yourself with the right people. Someone who can help you walk through the process and help you make good decisions.”
Experience with Zivian Health
Valasek found Zivian Health through internet research that she conducted with a colleague who was also in search of a collaborator. She says it quickly seemed like Zivian was the best service available for finding a collaborating physician.
Valasek’s experience with Zivian has gone smoothly, and she really likes her collaborating physician.
“My collaborator is someone I would feel really comfortable reaching out to,” she said. “She seems like someone that would have or be able to find answers to any questions I have. I also like just knowing that someone is there that I can reach out to whenever I have an issue.”
Zivian Empowers Compliant Collaborations
Zivian thanks Heather Valasek for sharing her story with us! We’re proud to be of service during an important time in her career as a Physician Assistant, and we look forward to the continued success of her independent practice.
Zivian empowers Advanced Practice Providers by connecting them with physicians inside a secure and convenient platform to form long-term, compliant collaborations.
