West Shore Family Practice, PC
West Shore Family Practice, PC   

Meet Our Providers

Richard C Harker MD, FAAFP

Dr. Harker is a graduate of Bucknell University (Biology and Spanish, with a minor in education; Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), and The Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey College of Medicine. He served his residency at Lancaster General Hospital and was appointed Chief Resident by his peers. Dr. Harker is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Practice, Cumberland County Medical Society, Pennsylvania Academy of Family Practice and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. In 2015, Dr. Harker was awarded Physician of the Year by the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Harker resides in Mechanicsburg with his wife and has three adult children. In his spare time, Dr. Harker enjoys traveling, sports and community involvement.

 

                         

  CONGRATULATIONS DR. HARKER FOR WINNING READER'S CHOICE PHYSICIAN FOR 2021! 

Scott A Berlin, PA-C

Mr. Berlin is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute (Biology, Cum Laude) and Emory University (Medical Science). He is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He served in the United States Air Force, as a 1st Lieutenant, Air Weapons Control Officer. Scott is married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren. He is active in his local church and has been involved in four medical missions trips to Romania. He is a PIAA-certified high school soccer referee, and enjoys playing and watching soccer, as well as most sports. Other hobbies include reading, gardening and long walks in the woods with his family.

Cara E. Kraus, PA-C

Ms. Kraus is a graduate of St. Francis University's five-year accelerated Physician Assistant program, where she majored in Health Sciences and minored in Biology and Neuroscience, and received her Masters of Physician Assistant Sciences. She is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant, Cara worked as a Telemetry Monitor Technician. Cara lives in Mechanicsburg with her family. She enjoys rock climbing, hiking, camping, kayaking, watching and playing sports, and spending time with her friends and family.

 

Joseph W. Lista MS, PA-C

Mr. Lista is a native of Philadelphia and is a graduate of Saint Joseph's Preparatory School.  He earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Scranton.  Before becoming a Physicians Assistant, Mr. Lista held positions in Health Care Administration.  He and his late wife were foster parents for ventilator dependent infants and toddlers.  C. Everett Koop (former U.S. Surgeon General) was instrumental in setting up the program.  " We provided infants and toddlers born prematurely from Children's Hospital a normal living arrangement in our home until they were well enough to return home to their natural parents".  This experience inspired Mr. Lista to practice medicine and become a Physician's Assistant.  He was a member of the first PA class of Philadelphia University.  He and his wife of 17 years, Judy,  are avid golfers and enjoy spending time with Joe's three adult children and four grandchildren.

WHAT IS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT?

 

A PA is an advanced practice professional ​ who provides the same quality of care as an MD.  What’s different is the level of education between the two medical professionals.  PAs condense much of the same medical school training that doctors receive into a shorter window of time. 

Generally, PAs first receive a four-year undergraduate degree, then go on for at least two more years to receive a master’s degree.  PAs also go through a clinical residency where they spend more than 2,000 hours treating patients in their chosen field. 

PAs must pass board certification and receive licensure to practice, then must re-certify every 10 years.  They must also complete 100 hours of Continuing Medical Education hours every two years in order to renew their Pennsylvania State license.    

Both MDs and PAs undergo extensive training in anatomy, body functions, diseases and treatment.  Both can write medication prescriptions and order lab and imaging studies for patients. 

All chart notes of patient encounters are reviewed by an MD at West Shore Family Practice and an MD is always available, either in person or by phone, for consultation. 

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