European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 3, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                1agazine Ess photo by Gus Schuetrun a physician assistant can do Many of the things a doctor can do nays chief warrant officer Charles Ruanell a physician assistant at Fibeger horse Cavern in Hanau. Physician assistants health screen for military doctors and More Janet d Agostino medical writer Stethoscope lies Cui cd on Charles Russell s desk. A Black bag rests on the floor of his office and diplomas decorate Ivy Walls. When he Speaks in is with the Confidence and self satisfaction characteristic of Many physicians. Although he could easily be mistaken for a doctor in his White lab coat. Russell s Nam tag lacks the initials my alter his name Russell is a physician assistant a Lille Shaf does not adequately describe the role he and the other 130 army and 34 air Force physician assistants in Europe have in caring for service members. Amides and civilians. A physician assistant can do Many of the things a doctor can do. Chief warrant officer Russell said the difference is we Don t have the my degree and the same number of years of  Russell is assigned to the 2nd in 75lh Field arty at Fliege Horst Cavern in Hanau Germany and was recently chosen Usa eur physician assistant of the year. Physician assistants he said Are trained to diagnose and Ireal patients and to prescribe certain medications. They can care or a variety of medical problems including the common cold pneumonia hypertension sprains fractures and diabetes. A physician assistant is similar to the old family doctor before world War in said chief warrant officer Gene Kistler of Tho 1 St in 32nd Field arly Al Flieger horse we Don i have As much formal education As they did. But the tests and techniques we have today allow us to know More about a medical problem and to do More Lor  the army and the air Force physician assistant programs evolved because of a shortage of military doctors following the Vietnam  to realized that to had 41 lot of corpsmen Ned medics returning from Vietnam with valuable medical experience and the air Force  to use that training to Benefit patients in Iho Post War  environment Sair Jcarl torn  Mley