A Richmond native giving back to her home community through care

From expanding access to care and ensuring patients receive the attention they need, Gabriella Cifu is a physician assistant (PA) specializing in orthopaedics, working every day to advance her skills and ensure patients under her care stay safe.

“Being a PA at VCU Health allows me to grow my clinical acumen, specifically in orthopaedics, and enhance my procedural skills to allow me to work to the fullest of my profession and potential as a provider,” she says. “I have a deep appreciation for the importance of keeping up with and adhering to best practice guidelines, both on a hospital and personal level, and a strong consideration for the fundamentals of ensuring patient safety on a day-to-day basis.”

PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. They have generalist medical training, enabling them to provide a wide spectrum of care and treat the whole person. As a PA, Cifu specializes in orthopaedics (bones, muscles and joints) and sees patients with a range of conditions including acute, non-surgical fractures to chronic conditions such as arthritis. She can also triage and help diagnose patients and get them to the right ortho specialist.

Before becoming a PA, Cifu worked at a healthcare company that tracked patient safety and hospital quality. The job gave her an appreciation for best clinical practices and the fundamentals of ensuring patient safety — and inspired her to go back to school and become a PA.

“I wanted to become a physician assistant because of their unique position within the healthcare system to expand access to care and ensure that all patients receive the time and attention they need,” says Cifu, a Richmond native.

For Cifu, being a VCU Health PA means working closely with colleagues to help her grow as a provider and treat patients to the best of her ability. She says she understands that patients can sometimes feel misheard or underappreciated regarding healthcare.

“So I want patients to feel empowered in managing their health and in asking questions to better understand various diagnoses and treatment possibilities,” she says. “And I want them to feel heard — that they are being advocated for within the healthcare system and our department.”

Advice to Patients

“Never be afraid to ask questions or speak up if you are concerned about something. Be willing to trust your provider and to put in the work to promote long-term best outcomes for both your specific condition and overall health, rather than pursuing more short-term treatment modalities.”