Lara Kothari, PA-C

Lara Kothari Values Offering Small Steps to Better Health

“Being part of a patient-centered health care team that includes physicians and physician assistants gives our patients options and flexibility. It also gives our care team depth and breadth.”

Lara Kothari credits her nurturing personality – and all the “medical talk” by the physicians in her family while growing up – for her decision to become a physician assistant in a family medicine practice. She also loved science and people, so it seemed a natural fit.

Family medicine was Lara’s first choice, because she got to work in all the areas every day: OB/GYN, babies and children, women’s and men’s health, and geriatrics. She enjoys seeing the children she once treated now going off to college, and treating them when they come back home.

“It’s wonderful to see continuity of care work at its best,” says Lara, who notes the importance of patient-provider relationships. “You don’t get that in an ER or hospital setting. But as a primary physician, you often get to know the whole family and you develop those relationships that increase comfort levels in sharing important information that can improve patient outcomes.”

She often hears from patients that Vanguard is comprehensive and well organized. “A lot of patients like the patient portal,” she says, “because it gives them 24/7 access. They also like the fact that Vanguard has all the services under one roof, from X-ray to nutrition to behavioral health and home care.”

With Vanguard Medical Group since 1999, Lara can’t imagine being anywhere else. “Selfishly, it completes me,” she says. “I enjoy it. I like making a difference and helping people in whatever small way that I can. It’s part of who I am.”

When she’s not working, Lara enjoys exercising and socializing with friends and family.