Get to know our providers: Michele B. Kessler, PA-C
Michele Kessler has served as a Physician’s Assistant with Durham Women’s Clinic since 2005. She is a tremendous asset to our practice and adored by patients. Get to know Michele with our Q&A below:
Q: What do you like best about your job as a Physician’s Assistant?
Michele: I love that the job is so flexible. I can practice obstetrics and gynecology and also do procedures like colposcopies. This allows me to really take this position to its fullest potential. I like obstetrics; I like taking care of pregnant women very much and I’m lucky to be able to do that here. I’m able to take care of all women, in many different ways. I can assess a patient and provide information that makes it easier for the doctor and makes me feel like an integral part of the team.
Q: What prompted you to become a Physician’s Assistant?
Michele: I’ve always wanted to do something in medicine. When I was sixteen I had surgery and the next day the doctor went on vacation. So when I woke up, there was a woman that was at the hospital and who took care of me the entire time I was there. She was a PA and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I thought, this is great – she’s doing everything!
Q: Looking at the future of Durham Women’s Clinic, what most excites you?
Michele: I like the fact that we are growing and we are very progressive in the field of medicine. We brought on the midwives and we changed how we did OB care. We look at different ways to make our medical care more cutting-edge. The Mona Lisa, for example. Everyone who works in OB-GYN knows the medicine, but we ask, “what is the best thing we can do for our patients to enhance how we practice medical care?” And finally, I love the collaborative nature of our practice. We take a team approach to make sure our patients receive the best care. Our new young women physicians, for example, have just come out of training and know the latest studies and treatments. We can rely on the unique knowledge of everyone in the practice to make sure our patients have the best care and treatment options.
Q: You have three children. What do you think is the hardest part of being a mother?
Michele: That kids don’t listen! Just kidding, I think it’s the whole work life balance. I thought it would be easier as they get older, but the whole continuum is difficult. Now they are older, but they have sporting and school events. There are always limitations of time that make it difficult to do it all. Everyone wants to find the mom life balance – how can we have it all and be perfect at everything? One of my favorite sayings is “sometimes Superwoman has to take off her cape.” We can’t always be perfect and it’s better for our kids to see us not being perfect all the time because then they strive for more realistic goals.
Q: What are your favorite family activities?
Michele: We love to sit on the porch and listen to music, play games together. We also love to watch each other’s sporting events so we spend a lot of time going to different games and cheering each other on.
Q: You’re a breast cancer survivor. What advice would you give someone supporting a friend or family member facing breast cancer?
Michele: People who are going through treatment have a tendency to be angry at times because it’s so emotional. I think just understanding that some days they want you to be there, and some days they might act like they don’t want you there … but they really do. And food… everyone wants to bring you food and that can be very helpful and appreciated.
Q: Do you have any favorite Durham restaurants?
Michele: Yes! We love Mateo bar de tapas, Mother & Sons, Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Pizzeria Toro, and Nana Steak.
Q: What about a favorite book?
Michele: The Giving Tree
Q: If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?
Michele: To be a great fixer - to be able to fix people and things.