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Dawyn Sawyer
  • GHG Doctor

Dawyn Sawyer, PA-C

I am passionate about the medical field because, unlike so many other fields, it allows one the privilege of assisting people with their health care needs in what is often the most vulnerable times of one's life. I consider it an honor that medicine allows me to interact with my patients and families in a supportive manner, no matter the outcome.

I believe that personal choices we make can have long-term consequences that affect our mind, body and spirit. To this end, I believe that it is important to help patients see options that enable them to make changes that will have a positive impact on their own health care that will ultimately enable them to be successful in their health journey. I will bring up the hard issues that may be hindering a patient and try to have motivating discussions to encourage change in a non-judgmental manner.

I also realize that some diseases cannot always be traced to personal choices, and it is important to help the patient to fully understand this and to work as a team player with them to motivate, encourage, and direct healthy choices with our current medical knowledge, always being willing to be open to alternative options, if necessary.

To summarize, I believe that, although we may not be ultimately able to cure, we can walk with each person in a manner that fully recognizes their dignity and individuality.
My passion for medicine lies in a fascination for the complexity of the human body and a tenacity to find solutions to problems facing people at their most vulnerable times of life.

Locations

Profile

Gender:
Female
Year began practicing:
1992
Year joined staff:
2023

Specialties:

  • Gastroenterology

Areas Of Interest

My first job as a Physician Assistant was in the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (GI) at the University of Iowa. I was employed there for 13 years and enjoyed working with this diverse area of medicine and with children of all ages. I have continued to enjoy GI in both adults and children and still believe this area of medicine is exciting and interesting after 30 years of practice. 

I am a Midwest girl who has lived in many places around the world, including near the equator and just below the Arctic Circle. I enjoy hiking local trails to see the natural beauty of the region and love gardening, canning the harvest, and cooking up new dishes from around the world. I love baking breads and other sweet treats, but use only half the sugar, because I believe most of them are too sweet. Growing up, I was involved in my local 4-H club, learning cooking, home improvement and sewing techniques that I continue to use in my daily life. As such, I like to sew, crochet and embroidery. I enjoyed "upcycling" before it became vogue because I often received hand-me downs from cousins while growing up. I also enjoy reading with my special interest in medical history, biographies and the First Ladies. I enjoy watching murder mysteries, especially British programs, such as Poirot and Miss Marple. I enjoy listening to audiobooks as I walk.

As a Christian, who believes that our actions must match our words to love all people, I have traveled to remote areas of the world to assist with medical relief work after natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka. I have also assisted with remote medical clinics in India, China, Nepal, the Sudan and Kenya, working with local doctors and pastors to provide much needed health care to the often forgotten.

I spent almost 11 years up in remote Alaska teaching with the Community Health Aide Training program, which assists local persons to perform the medical needs of their communities. While there, I learned to appreciate the subsistence way of life and picked the local berries in season and tried to find modern ways to utilize the wonderful harvest. I have also taught medicine at the University level in England to help the National Health Service (NHS) see how the Physician Associate (the UK version of the PA concept) can be an integral role in alleviating the medical shortages of their program. While there, I learned the importance of appreciating traditions and to confirm understanding when unsure of what is being spoken to me.

Education & Training

Education

1982
University of Iowa, Bachelor of Science
1992
University of Iowa School of Medicine, Masters of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Awards & Certifications

Board Certification

I have been certified by the National Commission of the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) since 1992.

Professional Positions

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) since 1992
  • Fellowship of Christian Physician Assistants/ Christian Medical and Dental Society since 1996
  • Christian Medical Fellowship since 2017