Celebrating National Physician Assistant Week: Megan Griffin, PA-C – A Dedication to Service and Orthopedic Care at Good Samaritan Gwinnett

As we celebrate the closing of National Physician Assistant Week, Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett is honored to recognize Megan Griffin, PA-C, one of our extraordinary volunteers. Megan’s passion for healthcare is evident in her commitment to providing orthopedic evaluations and procedures for our patients. 

Megan currently works as a full-time General Surgery Physician Assistant (PA) at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Her role at Piedmont involves everything from assisting with surgeries such as appendix and gallbladder removals to post-operative care and patient discharge. 

“I work with the acute care surgery team,” Megan explained. “I help handle anything that comes through the emergency department that requires surgery, particularly abdominal cases.” 

Despite her demanding schedule of seven 10-hour shifts, Megan makes time to volunteer at Good Samaritan Gwinnett. 

“I’ve been at Piedmont for two years,” Megan shared. “Before that, I worked in orthopedic surgery at Kaiser Permanente for about five years. Transitioning from orthopedics to general surgery was exciting, but I’m glad I’ve been able to use my orthopedic skills by serving at Good Samaritan Gwinnett.” 

Megan’s journey with Good Samaritan Gwinnett began long before she became a PA.  

“When I was an undergraduate student at the University of Georgia, aspiring to be a PA, I was looking for shadowing hours and came across Good Samaritan Gwinnett,” she recalled. “I was from Lawrenceville, so the clinic was close to home at that time. I volunteered over my Thanksgiving break, helping with patient vitals and filing. That experience left a lasting impression on me.” 

Fast forward to PA school at Mercer University, and Megan’s journey came full circle when her very first clinical rotation brought her back to Good Samaritan Gwinnett. Once Megan got into orthopedics, she reconnected with Laura Martino, our Director of Clinical Operations, and began volunteering her specialized skills. 

“I’ve been volunteering once a month for about three years. The providers know my schedule, and they refer patients who need orthopedic care like knee injections or cyst aspirations,” Megan said. 

One of Megan’s most fulfilling aspects of her role is providing care to underserved patients.  

“It’s hard to put into words, but Good Samaritan Gwinnett meets such a critical need. This clinic provides high-quality, comprehensive care to the uninsured no matter their financial situation. To be even a small part of that is incredibly rewarding,” Megan shared.  

She’s especially excited to be working with the Good Samaritan Gwinnett team to offer gel injections for patients with arthritis, particularly those suffering from knee arthritis. 

“When I worked in orthopedics at Kaiser, getting those types of injections approved was a challenge, even for insured patients. The fact that Good Samaritan Gwinnett can offer this treatment to uninsured patients is huge,” Megan explained.  

Megan also appreciates the gratitude and respect shown by the patients she serves.  

“If anything, it humbles me,” she shared. “The patients put a high emphasis on their appointment with me, and it reminds me to give my all every time. They’re appreciative of having access to an orthopedic specialist, and it’s great to see their needs met at a clinic that truly cares about their well-being.” 

Megan completed her PA program at Mercer University back in 2017. Her journey as a student at Good Samaritan Gwinnett highlights the strong collaboration between the clinic and educational institutions like Mercer University. 

“Good Samaritan Gwinnett played a pivotal role in my training as a student, and they continue to do the same for current students,” she said. “They find ways to get students involved, whether it’s scribing, giving vaccines, or assisting in clinics. It allows students to get real-world experience while reminding them why they’re pursuing a career in medicine – to help people in need.” 

Megan credits the clinic’s welcoming environment and dedicated staff as reasons she continues to volunteer.  

“Good Samaritan Gwinnett is just such a positive environment. The staff is phenomenal, and their passion for serving the community is infectious. It’s what keeps me coming back,” she shared. 

As we wrap up National PA Week, we are incredibly grateful for Megan’s continued service and the compassionate orthopedic care she provides. Her dedication and volunteer spirit are a true testament to the core values of the PA profession. We are blessed to have her as part of the Good Samaritan Gwinnett family, and we thank her for all she does to support our mission.