North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute Welcomes Physician Assistants Olivia Buquoi and Donna Foster

North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute recently welcomed Physician Assistants Olivia Buquoi, MMS, PA-C (left), and Donna Foster, PA-C (right), to its growing physician network.

They will work alongside physicians of North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute, which provides comprehensive heart health care, including heart disease prevention and management, diagnostic cardiology services, interventional cardiology and cardiovascular and thoracic surgical care.

Buquoi earned a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies through Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology. Buquoi is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Before attending physician assistant school, she worked as a nursing assistant for a major health system, where she also received training on the cardiac/telemetry unit.

“I became a physician assistant to serve the expanding medical community,” asserts Buquoi. “My ambition is to be a compassionate but realistic provider who works with patients to set individual health goals. I want to encourage them and provide the education and resources they need to achieve optimal health and well-being.”

As part of her PA training, Buquoi participated in various clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics across the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. She completed rotations in family medicine, general surgery, women’s health, pediatrics, psychiatry, orthopedics and emergency medicine. Professionally, she is a member of the national and state chapters of the Academy of Physician Assistants.

Foster joins North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute with nearly 20 years of experience as a physician assistant in critical and cardiac care, garnering knowledge through her time working at regional healthcare facilities. She has worked with cardiac patients on all levels — structural heart disease, electrophysiology and cardiovascular surgery, including post-operative recovery and cardiac rehabilitation.

“I pursued a career as a physician assistant so that I could become more involved with patients and their medical needs, particularly in cardiovascular and critical care. My approach to patient care centers around providing physical comfort and emotional well-being while also being respectful of each patient’s wants and values,” affirms Foster.

Before graduating from the University of South Alabama with a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies, Foster earned a master’s degree in Exercise Science and a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion from Southeastern Louisiana University. She is certified by the National Certification Committee of Physician Assistants.

Physician Assistants are nationally certified, state-licensed medical professionals who practice on medical teams under the supervision of a physician. PAs are qualified to assist in surgery, take medical histories, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, offer preventive care counseling, write prescriptions and round on hospitalized patients.

Physician Assistants Buquoi and Foster join other North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute providers, including Cardio-thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeons Jose Mena; Cardiologists Nidal Abi Rafeh, Jherie D. Ducombs, Bruce Ennis, Georges Khoueiry, William P. Kopfler and James M. Parker; and Nurse Practitioners Jean Genzale, Kristen King, Travis King, Dona Hill and Jasmine Severan.