2010 Health Care Champion Honoree: Tracy Cleveland

Tracy Cleveland says her roles in health care are provider, patient and student educator, researcher and volunteer.

She is a physician assistant at Orthopedic Specialists-St. John’s Clinic, where she has worked since 2007, and also is an assistant professor and academic coordinator for Missouri State University’s Physician Assistant Studies program.

As a researcher, she worked on a team of investigators that studied diabetes and obesity prevention in Latino children in Springfield and is working with students to investigate patient compliance with medications and exercise. She has volunteered at St. John’s Diabetes Fair and through Messiah Lutheran Church’s Christ Care health ministries team.

Cleveland earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., in 2000 and a master’s in PA studies from MSU in 2002.

“I grew up in rural South Dakota and had a PA as my primary care provider my entire life,” Cleveland says. “I was inspired by that line of work and wanted to be in a profession where I could work with people on a day-to-day basis.”

Cleveland views health care provider support and patient education as important aspects when patients are experiencing pain or rehabilitation following surgery or disease recovery. She says serving others through her work motivates her to improve herself and be a positive influence.

“I enjoy the patient-care aspect of what I get to do on a daily basis,” she says. “Being able to be around people is really the reward.”

Roberto Canales, associate director of the MSU PA Studies program, met Cleveland when she was a PA student and has worked with her on the program’s faculty since 2007.

“She consistently receives, from the get-go, favorable student reviews (and) excellent reviews from her peers,” Canales says.

He notes that Cleveland also goes above and beyond what is required, often working extra hours.

“Teachers do it because they love to teach,” Canales says. “You do a lot of things you’re not compensated for. She’s a gifted teacher.”

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