Many of our patients initially meet with one of our physician assistants or advanced registered nurse practitioners for an initial consultation, emergency appointments and follow-up care. Our physician assistants and nurse practitioners are a critical part of our team and each are well-trained and specialize in orthopaedics.
Issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential is a mark of professional accomplishment, indicating the achievement and maintenance of established levels of knowledge and clinical skills. The PA-C credential is widely recognized within the medical professions and beyond. In fact, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the American territories have decided to rely on NCCPA certification as one of the criteria for licensure or regulation of physician assistants.
An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is a nurse who has a master’s, post-masters, or doctoral degree in a nursing specialty and can generally practice medicine without the supervision of a physician. APRNs help meet the demand for primary and specialty healthcare practitioners, especially in rural and other areas underserved by physicians.
Our PA’s and ARNP’s
Nicole Baldwin, APRN
Yvette Bennett, MS, APRN, ONP-C
Yvette Bennett is a Certified Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner that has been with the Center for Bone and Joint Disease for the past 4 years. She has been a Nurse Practitioner since 1996 and has always had a passion for preventative health and education. She coordinated our Bone Health Program in an effort to provide the highest quality and thorough bone health to our patients that present with fragility fractures in order to prevent future fractures.
She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from the Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago in December of 1996. Yvette is a member of Fellow of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners. She is certified with the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board, Certified Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner, American Heart Association, Advanced Life Support, and CPR.
B. Scott Davis, PA-C
Physician Assistant Certified (PA-C) joined the Center for Bone and Joint Disease in July of 2013.
Heather LaCross, APRN
Heather La Cross is a board certified nurse practitioner. She is board certified in family practice through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began working as a registered nurse in the operating room in 1996 while pursuing her baccalaureate degree from the University of South Florida. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing as a family nurse practitioner in 2000 from University of Tampa. She has been working in the orthopedic specialty since she became a nurse practitioner. Heather joined the Center for Bone and Joint Disease in November of She is a member of the American Nurses Association, Florida Nurses Association, the Tampa Bay Advance Practice Nurses Council, and Florida Nurse Practitioner Network. Heather joined the Center for Bone and Joint Disease in November of 2019. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, Florida Nurses Association, the Tampa Bay Advance Practice Nurses Council, and Florida Nurse Practitioner Network.
April Litwiller, APRN
April is a board certified nurse practitioner that joined CBJD at the end of September 2019. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She had a background in Family Primary Care Medicine, Gastroenterology and Pediatrics. She obtained her undergraduate registered nurse degree from St. Petersburg College (2005)and her graduate degree from the University of South Florida (2014).
Matthew D. Mills, PA-C
Physician Assistant Matthew Mills is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He joined the CBJD team in September 2013. He graduated with Honors from Nova Southeastern University’s Physician Assistant Program in 2013 with a Master of Medical Science. He attended undergraduate training at the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in 2001, majoring in Environmental Science. Mr. Mills has served active duty in the U.S Navy and has deployed overseas several times. He has also served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
PA Mills is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery, and Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. He holds certifications from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He has training in Basic Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and OSHA certification.
Adam P. Murchie, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, CEN
Adam is a board certified nurse practitioner. He joined the practice here at CBJD in 2014. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from the University of Tampa. He has been in practice as an ARNP since 2002. He has an extensive background in Orthopaedics and Emergency Medicine.
Heather Norman, PA-C
Robert Obenrader, PA-C
Robert Obenrader, MSPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant joined the Center for Bone and Joint Disease in April of 2008. Robb is a graduate of Daemen College in Amherst, NY with a Masters Science Physician Assistant Studies. While at Daemen, Robb was president of Phi Beta Gamma Fraternity, International Greek Association, Students Without Borders and VP of Student Government. He also participated in humanitarian aid trips to the Dominican Republic as a provider and preceptor.
Robb is an Eagle Scout and a retired Firefighter/Paramedic from Pennsylvania. He has extensive training in Emergency Medicine and fire service. He holds training in Advanced Trauma Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support.
When Robb is not working, he enjoys riding his Harley and showing his Gypsy Vanner Horses.
Elizabeth Peirano, APRN
Elizabeth is a nurse practitioner, board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She joined the team here at The Center for Bone and Joint Disease in September 2019. She holds an undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College, and a master’s degree from Seton Hall University. She is a member of the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses, and has been in practice as an ARNP since 2011.
