Doctors

Audrey chose a career as a physician assistant because it allowed her the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of medicine and use that knowledge to provide care to the community. And, while her family was filled with many artists and musicians, she was always encouraged to pursue medicine, making that passion her career. Audrey especially appreciates the opportunity to get to know her patients and learning new ways to deliver the care they need. With hearing loss prevalent on her mother’s side of her family, the care and technology around hearing loss has long held a special place in Audrey’s heart.

Connie Keys PA-C is at 265 Fremont St in Battle Creek.

When asked what gets her excited about coming to work each day, Courtney said that each day is an opportunity to help individuals take back the power of their body and their life. She believes this is one of the best parts about her job. Why is she so passionate about this? Courtney's own health largely influenced her decision to go into the medical field. She remembers how scary it was to not understand what was going on with her own body. Now, she wants to help others to feel more in control when it comes to their health. In her free time, Courtney loves to read and try new recipes. She believes food not only feeds the body, but also the soul. Patient-centered care is the best method to tackling any medical problem a person might have.

Daniel Cozzati, PA-C is at 300 North Ave 2nd Floor, Suite 2002 in Battle Creek.

Emily’s interest in medicine and psychology sparked her decision to become a physician assistant. She finds the variety and complexity offered by internal medicine very challenging and rewarding. In this role, Emily looks forward to working collaboratively as part of a team to promote the health and personal well-being of patients and families. In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with friends and family, cycling and reading true crime novels. I believe an integrative and holistic approach to patient care is essential. I strive to make empathy and compassion the foundation of every patient interaction. My goal is to empower patients and their families by providing knowledge, insight and support during times of uncertainty.

Growing up and being inspired by his mom working in a healthcare setting, Joel chose to become a physician assistant (PA) in order to become a member of a team that promotes good health and wellness to a variety of patients in a variety of different settings. He believes surgery in particular offers the opportunity to take a problem and see it through to its resolution. In his free time, Joel enjoys spending time with family, reading and also enjoys sports. I think it is very important to understand exactly what brought the patient in to be seen. I like to fully characterize the patient’s concerns and allowing that to guide further evaluation/treatment.

Julia started her career in Rheumatology nearly 11 years ago with the hope to help numerous patients with chronic, painful conditions live a more functional life. Julia has a passion for Osteoporosis as it is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated throughout the country; she enjoys coming to work and being an advocate for her patient’s needs. In her free time, Julia is the President of the Society of Physician Associates in Rheumatology (SPAR) where they advocate for PA advancement and improvement of health of patients with rheumatologic conditions.

Julie first became interested in neurology in her undergraduate courses at the University of Michigan. Majoring in movement science, she focused on motor control, including courses focused on disorders of voluntary movement, and understanding those mechanisms in order to establish treatment. She then went on to obtain a national registration as an EEG Technologist, and worked for years in epilepsy, continuing to grow her passion for neurology before attending school to become a physician assistant. Julie is excited to come to work each day, because neurology is such a vast and exciting field, and each patient and case is different and rewarding in its own way.

Justine Benjamin, PA-C is a medical provider at 300 North Ave in Battle Creek.

Being a physician assistant is a second career for Karen—she went back to school when she was 48 years old! Why did she start over? Blessed with great mentors in both her career and at home, Karen was taught to always strive to be a better person and to never give up. She wanted a career where she could make a difference in someone's life. Her special interests are Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Karen facilitates the Parkinson’s disease support group in Kalamazoo and helps lead the multiple sclerosis support group. She also helps organize the annual walk-a-thon for Parkinson’s disease and is a member of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation professional advisory board.

After becoming an Army medic, I decided that I wanted a career in the medical field. Becoming a physician assistant allowed me to increase my medical knowledge that, in turn, allowed me to provide better care to my soldiers. I credit my mother as one of the individuals who most influenced my life. She grew up in poverty in El Salvador but managed to get a degree. She made the decision to move the family to the United States, allowing us to have greater opportunities and a better life than would have been available otherwise. This is another reason why I enjoy the chance to welcome new patients, assist in improving their quality of life and listen to their individual stories.

363 Fremont St Ste 308A

Michael C Lahaie, PA-C is a healthcare provider at 300 North Ave 2nd Floor, Suite 2002 in Battle Creek.

Sean Cameron has always been interested in science and technology and simply fascinated by human anatomy and physiology. When he realized he could unite these interests - by becoming part of a team that shared these interests while helping people every day - he was sold on becoming a physician assistant. Sean says it's gratifying to continue to amass medical knowledge, learn new skills and to continue to grow as a provider; it's also rewarding to be able to use the information and skills to help improve people's lives. According to Sean, his parents were the biggest influence in his life. They always believed in him, supported him, and pushed him to be the best version of himself.