Kathleen Pyatek, PA-C
Family Medicine

Location
Tanana Valley Clinic

Profile
Kathleen Pyatek, PA-C, or Kate as she likes to be called, comes to Tanana Valley Clinic’s Family Medicine practice from Bend, Oregon where she worked as a Physician Assistant (PA) for the St. Charles Medical Group. Ms. Pyatek believes in understanding a patient’s health goals and working with them to achieve those goals. She values patient education and preventive medicine as a way of empowering people to manage their health.

Being a Physician Assistant is a chosen second career for Ms. Pyatek. She began in molecular plant genetics, but decided that she wanted to do something more useful and positive. She went back to school to become a PA and has never had a regret since.

Originally from New Jersey, and raised in St. Louis, MO, Ms. Pyatek describes her life as a slow westward migration that eventually landed her in Fairbanks in 2007. It was here that she decided to go into medicine, and she left Alaska to pursue a degree in Physician Assistant studies at Idaho State University. While in school, Ms. Pyatek was torn between a focus on general practice or surgery. She ultimately decided that she liked the variety of general medicine, and would have more of an impact on patient health through preventive care.

Ms. Pyatek partners with Dr. Amber Figueroa as one of the Family Medicine Shared Care Teams.

Interests & Activities
Away from her practice, Ms. Pyatek enjoys getting outdoors to go for a hike or a walk. An avid rock hound, she enjoys collecting rocks, lapidary (engraving, cutting or polishing of stones and gems), and making jewelry.  She also enjoys sewing, art projects, woodworking, photography, reading, traveling and ‘just spending time with my hubby and dog.’ In terms of personal wellness, Ms. Pyatek finds ways to stay physically active and mentally challenged, and does her best to eat a healthy diet

Medical Education
Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Board Certification
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Get to know Ms. Pyatek, PA-C a little more with this video