In case you couldn’t tell, here at BICRAD we’re incredibly proud of the amazing men and women who make up our team. Every single one of these men and women brings something unique to the team, and we love when we get a chance to highlight them so patients get a chance to learn more about them not just professionally, but also on a personal level.
We are so thankful to have a number of amazing PA’s here at BICRAD, and this week we wanted you to get to know Hans Han, an incredibly talented Physician Assistant who is Board Certified in Interventional Radiology. We sat down and asked him a couple of questions about life as a PA, his professional accomplishments, and what he loves doing when he’s not in the office. Here are his responses!
What qualities make a great PA?
Just like with any field, it’s about persistence more so than intelligence alone. Also, being a great listener is a great quality to have, especially in medicine.
How long have you been with BICRAD and what’s the best part about being part of the team?
I have been with BICRAD for over two years now. I absolutely love working with them. The IR docs that I work with are all great mentors and I’ve learned a lot from them.
What is something that we wouldn’t know about you?
I am a huge foodie! I love learning about different cuisines and I love to cook for that reason. I also love fishing and marine life! If I didn't have problems with seasickness, I would probably have gone into marine biology.
Why did you decide to get into IR from ER?
I love being hands-on so I gravitate towards being more of a proceduralist than a diagnostician. Also the ER can be a very fast-paced environment and stressful. Working in that environment, I started to notice that I had become a little jaded so I knew it was time to leave or else I would be doing a disservice to the people I am supposed to be serving.
What is your favorite procedure to perform?
It's hard to say if I have a favorite. Learning new procedures and getting good at them is always rewarding, but even the more common ones such as a paracentesis are rewarding because patients are so grateful afterwards. I just love being hands on.
Where is your favorite vacation spot and why?
That's a tough one. I love being in the water so I tend to gravitate towards beaches and countries with great beaches like Hawaii or the Philippines. However, I love Japan. I have been there many times and every time I absolutely love going. I also have to give a shout out to my motherland, S. Korea. I have been many times and have family there so there's a special place in my heart for K-town.
What does a day in the “office” look like for you?
Run our schedule with the IR team so that we all get a sense of the flow of the day and are all on the same page, consent the patients for their respective procedures, round on inpatients, and, of course, do the procedures.
What would you tell a patient that is anxious or worrying about a particular procedure or diagnosis?
That the anxiety is real and that it's okay to be anxious. However, I always take plenty of time to listen to their concerns and comfort them when needed, but also be realistic about the expectations and risks associated with the procedure. The unknown is scary and my job is to give them the knowns and what they can possibly expect if the unknowns occur.
What is one food that you couldn’t live without?
Kimchi.
Do you have any favorite tips on how to be healthy?
Eat the colors of the rainbow and eat in moderation. Stay active and keep up with your relationships with friends, family, etc. Keeping a good social circle is so crucial to your health but is often overlooked.
It’s so important to remember that your PA isn’t just in charge of your medical care, they’re a person too! Understanding who they are both personally and professionally can go a long way towards reassuring you that you’re trusting the right person with your care. Keep an eye out for our next spotlight!