Committed to excellence in orthopedics, sports medicine, and patient care,
Nicole Fava, M.M.Sc, PA-C, ATC, joined Southeastern Orthopedic Institute as
a physician assistant in October 2019. She works with Marc Haro, M.D., and
brings a unique blend of experience to the Lowcountry. She previously
worked as a physician assistant in Asheville, North Carolina.
Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Nicole was an athletic trainer at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For more than 10 years, she helped keep their elite national championship women’s soccer team and women’s rowing team strong and healthy. She also worked with a regional girl’s soccer Olympic development program.
Education
- 8/15- 12/17 :
Emory University, Atlanta GA
Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant
Graduated with Honors - 5/03 :
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Master of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Athletic Training - 5/01 :
Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Athletic Training
Professional Experience
- 10/19
Southeastern Orthopedic Institute, Mount Pleasant SC
Physician Assistant:
Responsibilities include new, follow-up, pre and post-operative patient evaluations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic testing, performing intra-articular injections, developing treatment plans, first assist in surgery and inpatient follow up. - 2/18- 9/19
Asheville Orthopaedic Associates, Asheville NC
Physician Assistant:
Responsibilities include new, follow-up, pre and post-operative patient evaluations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic testing, performing intra-articular injections, developing treatment plans, first assist in surgery and inpatient follow up. - 6/9/17- 6/16/17
South Georgia Farm Workers Project,, Bainbridge GA
Worked under the direction of attending physicians from the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, and Emory PA-C faculty to provide free health care services to migrant farm workers and their families in South Georgia. - 11/16- 12/17
Emory University Physician Assistant Program Clinical Rotations
Internal Medicine; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Hospital. Atlanta GA Obstetrics and Gynecology; Women’s Healthcare Associates, Athens GA Emergency Medicine; Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta GA General Surgery; Surgical Associates, Atlanta GA Pediatric Orthopaedics; Children’s Orthopaedics of Atlanta, Greater Atlanta area Neurology; Emory Movement Disorder Clinic, Atlanta GA Psychiatry; Veterans Affairs Hospital, Atlanta GA Family Medicine; Barnesville Family Medicine and Urgent Care, Barnesville GA Orthopaedics, OrthoCarolina, Charlotte NC Pediatric Medicine; Northlake Pediatric Associates; Stone Mountain GA Cardiology; Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta GA Rheumatology; Dekalb Medical Center, Atlanta GA - 12/15- 12/17
Good Samaritan Health Center,,Atlanta GA
Student Clinic Coordinator:
Responsible for scheduling student providers, assisting with scheduling supervising physicians and interpreters. PA student provider for patient encounters and completing necessary diagnostics: blood draws, urinalysis, EKGs and x-rays. EMR documentation - 8/05- 6/30/15
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,,Chapel Hill NC
Staff Athletic Trainer:
Responsibilities include prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for all Varsity athletes. Primarily responsible for women’s soccer and women’s rowing. Past experience with the men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field programs (05-09). Also responsible for providing immediate first aid to all Physical Education class students, club and intramural participants. Approved Clinical Instructor providing hands on clinical instruction to athletic training student in a CAATE accredited undergraduate and graduate program. Trained in manual therapy techniques such as the Graston Technique and Mulligan Concept.
Assist in the daily operations of the Stallings-Evans Sports Medicine Center
Administrative Duties:
Athletic Department Insurance Liaison: Athletic training liaison to the athletic department, the sports medicine business personnel/insurance coordinator and athletic training staff.
Athletic Department Newsletter :
In charge of the sports medicine section of the monthly athletic department newsletter.
Environment of Care Committee:
A committee of the division of campus health. Served from 2008-2011.
Physical Therapy Clinic/Athletic Training Services
Responsible for providing assessment, treatment and rehabilitation programs for students and faculty with musculoskeletal dysfunction who are associated with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. - 8/03-8/05
Appalachian State University,, Boone NC
Assistant Athletic Trainer:
Responsibilities include prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for 21 Varsity sports. Primarily responsible for Women’s Basketball and Cheerleading. Approved Clinical Instructor providing classroom and hands on clinical instruction to athletic training student in a CAAHEP accredited program.
Administrative Duties:
Coordinator of Drug Testing, Screening and Counseling Program Organize all drug screening/testing for Appalachian State University student athletes including liaison between the NCAA Drug testing personnel and Appalachian State University.
Insurance Coordinator for all medical insurance claims.
Organize payment for all athletically related medical charges for Appalachian State University athletes. Act as a liaison between our secondary insurance carrier and the medical providers from whom our athletes have incurred charges.
Supervisor of Roger Thomas Athletic Training Room.
Handle day-to-day operations of this facility including the organizing sport coverage and supply inventory. - 8/01-5/03
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer:
Responsibilities include prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for all Varsity athletes. Primarily responsible for women’s soccer and men and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field. Also responsible for providing immediate first aid to all Physical Education class students, club and intramural participants. - 1/02-12/02
Physical Therapy Clinic/Athletic Training Services, Chapel Hill, NC
Responsible for providing assessment, treatment and rehabilitation programs for students and faculty with musculoskeletal dysfunction who are associated with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. - 8/99-5/01
Ithaca College,Ithaca, NY
Student Athletic Trainer:
Student athletic trainer assisting with the prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for all Varsity and Junior Varsity athletes. Specifically working with football, women’s lacrosse, men and women’s swimming and diving, men and women’s tennis, and men’s indoor track & field
Professional Service
- 8/15-12/17
2017 Class Vice President Emory University Physician Assistant Program,Atlanta GA
Coordinate, support and lead all committee chairs in campus and community based projects, serve on the class executive counsel and serve as a class liaison to the faculty. - 3/15
Region I Olympic Development Soccer Program, Croatia/Slovenia
Served as the Athletic Trainer for a group of 17-18 year old athletes and staff as they traveled to Europe to train and play soccer matches. - 4/14
Region I Olympic Development Soccer Program, Costa Rica
Served as the Athletic Trainer for a group of 13-14 year old athletes and staff as they traveled to Costa Rica to train and play soccer matches. - 10/04
NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference, Atlanta GA
Served as the Administrative Representative from Appalachian State University. Assisted in the development of student athlete leadership skills. Team development of an action plan to have a positive impact on campus. Discussed issues facing student athletes at the conference and NCAA levels. - 6/03
WUSA All-star Game, Cary NC
Responsible for providing assessment and treatment to any professional women’s soccer athlete during training sessions, skills competition and the International vs. US all-star game.
Teaching Experience
- 7/16- 8/16
Orthopaedic Module; PA Class Representative- Emory University
Serve as a student mentor for orthopaedic subject material. Assist with Physical Assessment teaching labs, organized and held extra physical exam practice and review sessions. - 8/05-6/15
Exercise and Sports Science Department- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Guest Lecturer:
Guest lecturer on topics including rehabilitation concepts and exercises, as well as administrative topics including insurance and drug testing within the undergraduate athletic training curriculum. Assist with signature assignments for all undergraduate athletic training students. Have served as a lab assistant with upper and lower extremity injury evaluation. - 8/03-8/05
Health, Leisure and Exercise Science Department at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
Lecturer:
Introduction to Athletic Training (AT-1600): Educated students on safety in the athletic training room, musculoskeletal and surface anatomy, sports medicine terminology, injury recognition and basic evaluation, use of therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation techniques. - 8/02-12/02
Exercise and Sports Science Department - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Teaching Assistant/ Lecturer:
Undergraduate Human Anatomy Lecture (course #75) - 1/02 –5/02
Exercise and Sports Science Department-Human Anatomy Lab Assistant-The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lab Assistant:
Provided a review of materials covered in lecture, also allowing a more hands on view to students of lecture material.
Research
- Master Thesis (2017): Is Chewing Gum An Effective Treatment For Decreasing Postoperative Ileus Following Abdominal Surgery?
- Master Thesis (2003): Comparison of Gluteal Muscle Activity During Running and Hip Muscle Strength Between Individuals with Normal and Excessive Navicular Drop.
Presentations
- Collegiate Athletic Trainers Association Annual Symposium, Las Vegas, NV May 2014
“Things are not always what they seem”; Case study presentation on Conversion Disorder in a collegiate athlete - ACC Annual Sports Medicine Conference, Greensboro NC, May 2014
“Things are not always what they seem”; Case study presentation on Conversion Disorder in a collegiate athlete - Collegiate Athletic Trainers Association Annual Symposium, Las Vegas, NV May 2010
Peripheral Neuropathy Case Study with Nutritional Considerations - ACC Annual Sports Medicine Conference, Greensboro NC, May 2010
Peripheral Neuropathy Case Study with Nutritional Consideration - Student Athletic Trainers Association Annual Symposium, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill February 27, 2010
Peripheral Neuropathy Case Study with Nutritional Considerations - NATA Oral Free Communications Presentation- NATA National Conference; Baltimore MD June 2004
Comparison of Gluteal Muscle Activity During Running and Hip Muscle Strength Between Individuals with Normal and Excessive Navicular Drop
Certifications/memberships
- NCCPA Certified Physician Assistant
- South Carolina Medical Board Licensure
- North Carolina Medical Board Licensure
- DEA
- American Academy of Physician Assistant Member
- Physician Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery Member
- NATA-BOC Certified Athletic Trainer
- NATA Approved Clinical Instructor
- BLS certified, American Heart Association
- Graston Concept M1 Trained
Recognition
- Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants; December 2017
- Professional Achievement Award from Emory University Physician Assistant Program December 2017
- Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society. Inducted February 2016
- Commitment Award, UNC Campus Health Services March 2014
- Outstanding Research Award for the Athletic Training Specialization from the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2003
- UNC Physical Education and Activities Program teaching Excellence Award 2002, 2003
- Eastern Athletic Trainer’s Association Kerkor “Koko” Kassabian Scholarship Recipient 2001
- Professional Excellence Award from the Department of Health Sciences and Human
- Performance at Ithaca College 2001