From ER Medicine to Dermatology: Insights from Lydia Prusinowski, PA-C
- The Facility Denver
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
In our latest podcast episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Lydia Prusinowski, a seasoned physician assistant with 14 years' experience in emergency room medicine. The conversation revealed profound insights about what acute care teaches you about living LIFE, how important it is to protect your empathy, and the potential (re: necessary) cooperation between conventional and lifestyle medicine specialties.
Lessons in Healthcare and Life
In the world of healthcare, we often view different specialties as separate islands, rarely considering how experience in one field can profoundly impact practice in another. Recently, Dr. Mitchell Rasmussen had the opportunity to speak with Lydia Prusinowski, a physician assistant who spent over 14 years in emergency medicine before transitioning to dermatology. Her journey offers valuable insights into not only career transitions but also the broader implications for healthcare delivery and personal wellness.
Emergency medicine represents the front line of healthcare—where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death. During her tenure in emergency departments, including four challenging years in Flint, Michigan (which she describes as "a third world country in the middle of the US"), Lydia developed exceptional clinical skills while facing the profound emotional toll such work entails. As she candidly shared, emergency medicine professionals often begin to lose their empathy and compassion due to the relentless pace and traumatic experiences. "It's go see this patient, go see this patient, go see this patient, and in a matter of 30 minutes you've already seen 10 patients," she explained, highlighting how difficult it becomes to maintain genuine human connection under such conditions.
The COVID-19 pandemic, while devastating in countless ways, paradoxically offered some emergency providers an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with the deeper purpose of medicine. With fewer non-emergency cases coming through the doors, Lydia found herself spending more time with seriously ill patients who were isolated from family support. "You could see the fear in their face," she recalled, describing how providers had to step up not just medically but emotionally. This experience reminded many healthcare workers why they entered medicine in the first place—to help people at their most vulnerable moments.
When It's Your Time, It's Your Time
Throughout her emergency medicine career, Lydia carried a profound lesson from her mentor: "When it's your time, it's your time." This philosophy helped her avoid the trap that ensnares many medical professionals: playing God and becoming devastated by outcomes beyond their control. This perspective doesn't diminish the importance of medical excellence but rather acknowledges the limits of human intervention and the unpredictability of life itself. It's a humbling reminder that despite our technological advances, healthcare professionals remain human, doing their best within inherent limitations.
Big Life Transition
After fourteen years in emergency medicine, Lydia made the courageous decision to transition to dermatology. This was a shift that many colleagues predicted she would regret. "ER is who you are," they told her. "You're going to get so bored; you'll be back in three months." Yet Lydia found the opposite to be true. While she missed the adrenaline rush of critical care procedures, she discovered unexpected rewards in building ongoing relationships with patients and witnessing their improvement over time. The transition wasn't without challenges. She described April and May after her career change as "some of the hardest times of my life" as she adapted to routine office hours and what initially felt like a less spontaneous lifestyle.
Perhaps most fascinating is how Lydia's emergency medicine background informs her dermatology practice. She brings a unique perspective that allows her to connect seemingly unrelated symptoms and recognize potential systemic issues underlying skin conditions. This cross-specialty perspective exemplifies what healthcare could look like if we broke down silos between medical disciplines and focused more holistically on patient outcomes rather than professional territories.
Lydia emphasized the importance of personal wellness practices (particularly fitness and nutrition) in maintaining her professional edge and emotional balance. "It's paramount," she stressed, explaining how regular exercise and mindful eating help her show up as her best self for patients. Her approach to her own health mirrors the integration she brings to her professional practice: addressing root causes rather than just symptoms, asking "WHY", and recognizing the interconnectedness of all bodily systems.
Looking for an Honest Specialist Willing to Leave Ego at the Door?
>> Connect with Lydia at Colorado Dermatology Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
[The COVID-19 Pandemic] reminded many healthcare workers why they entered medicine in the first place: to help people at their most vulnerable moments.
If you prefer content in audio format, check out Facilitated Episode 20 | When It's Your Time for a candid discussion between Functional Medicine Doctor Mitchell Rasmussen and Physician Assistant Lydia Prusinowski | Listen here
Work with us at The Facility Functional Medicine:
If you’re curious about functional medicine and how it could work for you, we’d love to help. Book an initial consultation with our Denver-based clinic (we see patients locally and via telehealth) and take the first step toward a health journey that doesn’t stop with you.
Meet The Functional Medicine Team behind Facilitated:
Mitchell Rasmussen, DC, CFMP: Mitchell is a certified functional medicine practitioner with a doctorate in chiropractic at The Facility Functional Medicine Clinic in Denver, Colorado.
With lots of letters behind his name, he entered chiropractic with a clear goal: to practice Functional Medicine. His biggest passion is the immune system. He has focused his post-doctoral education on immunology and clinical applications for chronic diseases like Lyme, tick-borne pathogens, viral burden, and mold exposure.
About Kate Daugherty, MS, CNS: Kate is a certified nutrition specialist and functional nutritionist at The Facility Functional Medicine Clinic in Denver, Colorado.
She began her career journey in neuroscience, which seamlessly transitioned into human nutrition. Utilizing food as medicine to treat the mind-body connection is truly remarkable. Kate believes that our eating habits nourish our soul as profoundly as they do our body.
