July 17, 2020
Senthil Radhakrishnan, M.S., PA-C
Administrative Chief and Clinical Neurosurgical PA
Department of Neurosurgery
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC 27710
Re: Letter of Recommendation – OB
Dear Madam/Sir
It is a privilege to write a letter of recommendation for OB in support of her application to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. I have known OB personally for the past year as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Duke Neurosurgery.
OB works in the neurosurgical floor, taking care of patients with neurological conditions and complex pre and postoperative neurosurgical patients. I have known OB from her first day of orientation to the neurosurgical floor. She is always conscientious, hardworking, eager to learn, and highly motivated to do the very best she can to provide excellent care to her patients and support the nurses caring for acutely ill neurosurgical patients.
OB is always punctual, reliable, and thorough, and earned the trust of her patients and their families, nurses, allied health professionals, physicians, and physician assistants. She always maintains a professional demeanor, has a constant thirst for knowledge, and has the drive to acquire new skills.
OB has always proved her ability to multi-task, follow through, and be an excellent team player. She consistently demonstrates her strong compassion for her patients and their families and high ethical and moral standards. Under the direction of nurses, she can organize, implement, and coordinate appropriate care plans for her patients. In addition, she is very caring, understanding, and helpful to her colleagues, ancillary staff, and nursing and medical students.
Working in a tertiary center with a well reputable neurosurgical unit and caring for high-acuity patients, OB has gained an immense wealth of knowledge and expertise in caring for acutely ill patients. One of OB’s greatest assets is her initiative to learn and take responsibility. She can develop excellent rapport with her patients, their families, her peers, and superiors at all levels. As a CNA, OB takes pride in providing personal care to patients, taking their vital signs, checking blood sugars, and volunteering to assist in all the bedside procedures performed by physician assistants on the ward. She is compassionate, and proactive, has consistently demonstrated excellent bedside manners, and is always very resourceful and innovative in finding solutions to address her patients’ needs. OB is a critical thinker, knows when to ask for help, and is acutely aware of her limitations, which fuels her constant thirst for knowledge and acquiring new skills.
I have consistently heard comments from nurses such as, “OB is here. It’s going to be a good day”, “OB is my favorite CNA, and our patients love her”, “OB is always calm even with difficult patients, and never gets frustrated or overwhelmed”, “OB takes initiative and doesn’t wait to be told what to do”, and “OB is very resourceful in finding answers and solutions for her patients’ day-to-day problems. As a physician assistant working with OB, I echo these sentiments and have personally sought OB’s help in performing bedside procedures like lumbar punctures, lumbar drain placements, halo placements, and incision and drainage. She provides great comfort and emotional support to patients during these anxious times.
As a self-motivated, goal-oriented, conscientious professional, I believe OB would excel in any graduate program. Her experience has helped her develop strong management abilities, excellent communication skills with individuals at all levels, as well as the realization of the importance of ethics, compassion, and professionalism. She is also an energetic team player and possesses all the qualities that make an excellent physician assistant.
I am excited about the prospect of having OB as a colleague soon. I wish her the very best. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Senthil Radhakrishnan., M.S., PA-C
