NCGB Clinical Excellence Awards: Honoring PA-C David Hoch

May 27, 2022

National Clinical Governance Board’s Clinical Excellence Awards

At the most recent US Acute Care Assembly, six of our outstanding clinicians received the USACS National Clinical Governance Board’s Clinical Excellence awards for their extraordinary work with our hospital partners.

  • Isabelle Hertig, MD, Critical Care, Shady Grove Medical Center, nominated by Ajit Kuruvilla, MD
  • Joseph Pepe, DO, Emergency Medicine, AdventHealth Carrollwood, nominated by Jeremy Kirtz, MD
  • Mark Sheatzle, MD, Emergency Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, nominated by Dennis Hanlon, MD
  • David Hoch, PA-C, OBS, Ascension Texas, nominated by Brian Aldred, MD
  • Logan Rencher, DO, Pediatric EM, Dell Children’s, nominated by Sujit Iyer, MD
  • Shirin Trisha, MD, Hospitalist, Cedar Park Regional Hospital, nominated by Shea Combs, MD.

Today, we are featuring David Hoch, PA-C, who has been working with USACS at Ascension Texas since May of 2020.

David Hoch

Hoch was nominated by Dr. Brian Aldred, whose nomination reads:

David has been the Lead APP for our Hybrid-Observation program at three sites in Ascension Texas, performing in-person care at Dell Seton Medical Center and telemedicine care at Ascension Hays and Ascension Williamson.

He has been an excellent leader of the team, forging through adversity with a great attitude and resolve.

He has been able to recruit, retain, and modify his team and their work duties despite significant obstacles.

He leads by example and is the perfect candidate for this award.

 

“In spite of COVID and so much adversity, David has been able to ride the waves up and down, adjust, and adapt whether the Observation Unit or ED is full or empty,” added Dr. Aldred. “As a leader, he’s been able to be very creative at getting his APP team hours to maintain their incomes and works really hard to make that happen. He’s definitely one of our up-and-coming stars.”

Becoming a Physician Assistant

Hoch attended Physician Assistant School at The George Washington University after serving as a combat medic in the U.S. Army.

“Military medics train at such a high scope and learn so many skills that pursuing a career as a physician assistant seemed like the most obvious transition,” he said.

The Challenge of Medicine

When asked what he enjoys most about medicine, Hoch answered, “I enjoy the challenge… I seek it out and work until I have it figured out. I have a deep respect for the PA profession and love advocating for my patients.”

After earning his degree and credentials, Hoch wanted to raise a family outside of the Washington D.C. area and contemplated returning home to Colorado after finishing graduate school. “Instead, I decided to try something new, so I came here to Austin,” he said. “I love it and don’t see myself leaving anytime soon.”

Ascension Texas

Hoch joined USACS with the intention of practicing emergency medicine but the COVID pandemic disrupted those plans, and the

emergency department had to change how they were using APPs – giving Hoch his first major challenge – helping start the first hybrid teleobservation program in the company.

Having recently celebrated his second anniversary with USACS, Hoch says he is happy to be a part of the team. With COVID receding, he has been able to return to working some in the emergency department and has incorporated front-end practices to enhance patient flow to the observation unit.

“The best part is treating patients and seeing them turn from sickness to wellness,” he said. “Experiencing their true appreciation for your help and hearing that genuine ‘thank you’… that is really what I do it for – to help those people get better.”

Hoch has two young sons, aged 3 and 6, and is engaged to the love of his life.

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