PA Week Spotlight: Tod Sijan
October 12, 2026
Answering the Call to Care
Originally from Port Clinton, Ohio, Tod initially envisioned a future in chemical engineering. But while serving on active duty in the United States Air Force, his interest in medicine led him down a different path.
Medicine was fascinating to me, and I had the opportunity to apply and was selected for the USAF PA school.
That opportunity launched a career as a physician associate, allowing Tod to build experience across multiple specialties, assume leadership roles, and serve patients across a wide range of settings.
Among the accomplishments he's most proud of are becoming Director of Services at the hospital where he worked as a hospitalist PA and being selected to serve on a regional advanced practice provider leadership board.
Bringing Hospital-Level Care Home
Tod works remotely from Walnut Creek, California, as part of the intake team for a hospital-at-home program. The innovative care model allows qualified patients to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their homes.
In his role, Tod helps identify appropriate patients for the program, develop care plans, order medications and lab work, and support smooth transitions from inpatient settings.
His position draws on experience across multiple specialties and close collaboration with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary care teams.
I collaborate with our physicians, RNs, and supporting staff to optimize workflows and patient transitions to our program.
Tod believes one of the biggest misconceptions about PAs is how collaborative the profession truly is. That partnership-driven approach is essential to delivering coordinated, patient-centered care.
A Defining Moment in Practice
When asked about a patient experience that has stayed with him throughout his career, Tod recalled an encounter from his early years in practice.
A patient came to see him after an emergency department visit for abdominal pain.
Rather than rushing through the appointment, Tod listened carefully as the patient shared his story and symptoms in greater detail.
I sat and listened to this patient, letting him tell his story fully, interjecting an occasional question to elaborate on something he was discussing.
Through that conversation, he uncovered important information that led to additional imaging. The findings raised concern for metastatic pancreatic cancer and prompted further evaluation.
A month later, the patient returned to thank him and shake his hand. Although his prognosis was poor, he expressed appreciation for the care, understanding, and guidance he had received.
The experience reinforced the importance of listening to patients and giving them the opportunity to tell their story.
That lesson remains central to how Tod practices medicine today.
Advice for Future PAs
Tod encourages aspiring PAs to build a strong educational foundation and embrace the profession's versatility.
He recommends working hard in prerequisite courses, choosing a highly rated PA program with a strong board pass rate, and remaining open to opportunities across different specialties.
Take advantage of our broad training by working in different specialties. There are some really great opportunities out there.
He also encourages new graduates to explore community healthcare settings, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, which can provide valuable clinical experience while helping reduce student loan debt through repayment programs.
Partnering for Success
For the past two years, Tod has partnered with GHR Healthcare and credits the team's support as an important part of his experience.
GHR Healthcare has been a wonderful employer from the beginning. They were extremely helpful during the hiring process and credentialing, as well as with items that have come up during my assignment. You couldn't ask for a better employer.
Life Outside of Healthcare
When he's not supporting patients and care teams, Tod enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. His interests include traveling, hiking, fitness, camping, boating, and exploring new restaurants as a self-proclaimed "avid foodie."
Celebrating PA Week
Thank you, Tod, for your partnership, service, and the outstanding care you provide every day. Happy National PA Week!
Medicine was fascinating to me, and I had the opportunity to apply and was selected for the USAF PA school.
That opportunity launched a career as a physician associate, allowing Tod to build experience across multiple specialties, assume leadership roles, and serve patients across a wide range of settings.
Tod works remotely from Walnut Creek, California, as part of the intake team for a hospital-at-home program. The innovative care model allows qualified patients to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their homes.
In his role, Tod helps identify appropriate patients for the program, develop care plans, order medications and lab work, and support smooth transitions from inpatient settings.
His position draws on experience across multiple specialties and close collaboration with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary care teams.
I collaborate with our physicians, RNs, and supporting staff to optimize workflows and patient transitions to our program.
Tod believes one of the biggest misconceptions about PAs is how collaborative the profession truly is. That partnership-driven approach is essential to delivering coordinated, patient-centered care.
A Defining Moment in Practice
When asked about a patient experience that has stayed with him throughout his career, Tod recalled an encounter from his early years in practice.
A patient came to see him after an emergency department visit for abdominal pain.
Rather than rushing through the appointment, Tod listened carefully as the patient shared his story and symptoms in greater detail.
I sat and listened to this patient, letting him tell his story fully, interjecting an occasional question to elaborate on something he was discussing.
Through that conversation, he uncovered important information that led to additional imaging. The findings raised concern for metastatic pancreatic cancer and prompted further evaluation.
A month later, the patient returned to thank him and shake his hand. Although his prognosis was poor, he expressed appreciation for the care, understanding, and guidance he had received.
That lesson remains central to how Tod practices medicine today.
Advice for Future PAs
He recommends working hard in prerequisite courses, choosing a highly rated PA program with a strong board pass rate, and remaining open to opportunities across different specialties.
Take advantage of our broad training by working in different specialties. There are some really great opportunities out there.
He also encourages new graduates to explore community healthcare settings, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, which can provide valuable clinical experience while helping reduce student loan debt through repayment programs.
Partnering for Success
For the past two years, Tod has partnered with GHR Healthcare and credits the team's support as an important part of his experience.
GHR Healthcare has been a wonderful employer from the beginning. They were extremely helpful during the hiring process and credentialing, as well as with items that have come up during my assignment. You couldn't ask for a better employer.
Life Outside of Healthcare
When he's not supporting patients and care teams, Tod enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. His interests include traveling, hiking, fitness, camping, boating, and exploring new restaurants as a self-proclaimed "avid foodie."
Celebrating PA Week
Thank you, Tod, for your partnership, service, and the outstanding care you provide every day. Happy National PA Week!
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