June 03, 2023
Welcome to our Q&A session with Mary Roberts, a talented and dedicated new physician assistant (PA) who recently graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. With her comprehensive education and clinical training, Mary is now actively seeing patients at Urology Associates of Central Missouri (UACM). We are excited to have Mary join our team and are eager to delve into her insights and experiences as a PA in the field of urology. Let’s get started and learn more about Mary’s journey and her commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients.
Q. What’s your specialty or favorite procedure?
A. My favorite procedures are suturing and placing central lines.
Q. What is the one problem you are best at solving for your patients?
A. I excel at explaining medical conditions to patients in plain language that they can understand.
Q. What are you most passionate about personally?
A. Personally, I am most passionate about my faith and caring for my loved ones.
Q. What advances in urological/oncology care are you seeing?
A. Recently, I learned about a groundbreaking development at the VA hospital here in Columbia, Missouri. The VA is utilizing a radiopharmaceutical that specifically targets prostate cancer, allowing for precise identification of metastasis areas when used in conjunction with PET scans. This advancement has significantly improved the accuracy of cancer staging. Additionally, there is a clinical trial called STARPORT that investigates the treatment of prostate cancer with limited metastasis through targeted surgery and radiation, combined with conventional hormone therapy.
Q. What can patients expect when they have a consultation/appointment with you?
A. During a consultation or appointment with me, patients can expect a down-to-earth and compassionate approach. As a provider, I genuinely enjoy helping people and am always willing to address any questions. If there is a query I cannot answer immediately, I am more than willing to conduct research, consult my colleagues or explore the answer together. I strive to provide thorough care and view my patients holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness of various medical aspects despite specializing in urology.
Q. Favorite words of wisdom?
A. I have two favorites. The first is, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less” — This saying beautifully captures the essence of humility, emphasizing that it is not about diminishing oneself, but rather shifting the focus away from oneself.
Another favorite saying is, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” — This reminds us that comparing ourselves to others can rob us of our happiness and contentment. It serves as a powerful reminder to embrace our own unique journey without getting caught up in comparison.
Q. Favorite song?
A. It’s incredibly difficult to choose a single favorite song, as my musical tastes are quite diverse. I find immense enjoyment in various genres such as classic rock, bluegrass, oldies and folk. When it comes to favorite artists, a few notable ones include The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Alison Krauss, and Nickel Creek.”
Q. If you weren’t a PA for Urology Associates of Central Missouri, what would you be?
A. I would pursue a career as a kindergarten teacher.
Q. What was your first car?
A. My first car was a Buick Le Sabre. Needless to say, the 16-year-old me was absolutely ecstatic about it.
Q. What was your first job?
A. I worked as a grocery bagger at Patricia’s IGA.
Q. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
A. Compassionate, joyful and loyal.
Q. What is your favorite holiday and why?
A. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I adore the beautiful lights and the joy of giving gifts to others. My second favorite is probably Halloween. I love witnessing people’s creativity with their costumes.
Q. What is your favorite vacation and why?
A. My favorite vacation destination is Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. The name itself, meaning “many fountains,” perfectly captures the essence of this place, as it is home to 72 breathtaking waterfalls within the valley.
Q. What is a bucket list item and the most adventurous thing you’ve done?
A. One of my bucket list items is to visit Greece. As for my most adventurous experience, during college we used to go caving with a friend named Holly. She would confidently lead us into caves, even if it was her first time exploring them. Somehow, it always worked out! The scariest cave adventure was when we had to wade through shoulder-height deep water.
Q. What is something that you are certain you will never do?
A. I am certain that I will never fully pay off my student loans — yikes, and more yikes!
Q. What’s your favorite movie?
A. My favorite movie, most recently, has to be the new Top Gun.
Q. What is the best thing you like about living in Columbia?
A. The MKT trail and Homecoming are two things I absolutely love about living in Columbia.
Q. What is the worst advice patients get that you’d like to correct?
A. One common piece of misguided advice is, “It looks like a UTI, so take antibiotics.” However, the presence of bacteriuria in a urine analysis doesn’t always necessitate treatment. In the case of geriatric patients, it is common for bacteria to be present in their urine without causing any symptoms. Therefore, we refrain from prescribing antibiotics unless symptoms are also present.