Leader on Our Cardiothoracic Surgery Team Champions PAs’ Role in Patient Care Nationwide
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Stony Brook Medicine physician assistant (PA) Kevin Niles, PA-C, has been elected to serve as president of the Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiology (APAC), the principal professional organization for PAs who practice in cardiology. Mr. Niles, who took office in July, works in our Cardiothoracic Surgery Division, serving as the division’s chief PA. In his role with APAC, a specialty organization of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Mr. Niles works closely with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and other national organizations to promote and advocate for increased utilization of PAs to provide high quality, cost-effective care to patients with cardiovascular disease. Mr. Niles has served on the board of directors of APAC since 2016. He has been instrumental in organizing APACs annual CME Meetings, the last of which was held here on Long Island in June 2019. |
Mr. Niles has served on the board of directors of APAC since 2016. He has been instrumental in organizing APACs annual CME Meetings, the last of which was held here on Long Island in June 2019.
The excellence of our cardiothoracic surgery team is why Stony Brook University Hospital is recognized by Healthgrades® as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care™ and for Coronary Intervention™ (read more).
This meeting featured many of Stony Brook Medicine faculty, including Henry J. Tannous, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery, cardiothoracic surgeon Jorge M. Balaguer, MD, and cardiologist Puja B. Parikh, MD, MPH.
Since taking office in July, Mr. Niles has doubled APAC’s financial reserves while decreasing APAC’s expenses. Mr. Niles has initiated a marketing campaign to grow membership and hired a dedicated administrative director.
This spring Mr. Niles will lead a discussion at this year’s American College of Cardiology annual meeting in Chicago. As part of his presidential responsibility, Mr. Niles travels to the ACC Heart House in Washington, DC, to represent PAs at ACC decision-making roundtables.
Mr. Niles began his career as a PA in New York City, working under the leadership of David Adams, MD, at the Mount Sinai Center for Cardiovascular Diseases. He joined Stony Brook Medicine in 2013.
Mr. Niles received his BS in PA Studies from the University of New Hampshire, and received his professional training and a second bachelor’s degree from New York Institute of Technology. He received his MS in PA Studies from Touro University, and is currently a candidate for his Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) degree at Touro Worldwide University.