Rebecca Gonzalez, PA-C
Board Certified Physician Assistant
Rebecca Gonzalez grew up in Santa Barbara, California with a strong sense of community and a passion for the medical field. She went on to graduate from University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Afterwards, she worked as an anatomic pathology technician at Cottage Health before continuing her education and obtaining a Master in Physician Assistant Studies from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Her clinical experience in Minnesota includes rotations at Allina Health's United Hospital, Essentia Health, North Memorial Health Hospital, the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, and the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. During her studies, Rebecca was the recipient of a Physician Associates for Latino Health (PALH) scholarship and a traineeship grant from the GHR Foundation.
Rebecca joined the team at The Spine & Orthopedic Center in 2022 and is excited to provide quality care to patients in the Tri-Counties and San Joaquin Valley.
In her free time, Rebecca enjoys surfing, swimming, hiking, cooking and spending time with friends and family. Rebecca is also active in her community and has volunteered locally in Cottage Health's Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, Aeromedicos of Santa Barbara and tutored students in chemistry at Santa Barbara High School.
EDUCATION
- 2019-2022
St. Catherine University
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
St. Paul, MN
- 2008-2012
University of California, Santa Barbara
BS in Biological Sciences
Santa Barbara, CA
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSURE
- State of California Physician Assistant License
- NCCPA Board Certification
- AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)/Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Clinical Rotation Experience
- Minneapolis VA Health Medical Center
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Minneapolis, MN
- HealthPartners Hospital-Hudson
Emergency Medicine
Hudson, WI
- Wayzata Children’s Clinic
Pediatrics
Minnetonka, MN
- North Memorial Health Hospital
Orthopedic Surgery
Robbinsdale, MN
- North Memorial Health Hospital
General Surgery
Robbinsdale, MN
- St. Mary's Health Clinics
Primary Care
Saint Paul, MN
- Essentia Health
Cardiology
Grand Rapids, MN
- Allina Health United Hospital
Women's Health
Saint Paul, MN
- Open Cities Health Center
Family Medicine
Saint Paul, MN
- M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center
Internal Medicine
Minneapolis, MN
- Nystrom & Associates Counseling
Mental Health
New Brighton, MN
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- 2022-Present - The Spine and Orthopedic Center
Physician Assistant
Santa Barbara,CA
- 2014-2019 - Cottage Health
Anatomic Pathology Technician/Certified Phlebotomist
Santa Barbara,CA
- 2011-2014 - Robert C. Corlett, M.D.
OB-GYN Medical Assistant
Santa Barbara, CA
- 2005-2009 - Independent Living Resources Center
Bilingual Information and Referral Specialist
Santa Barbara, CA
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
FACILITY PRIVELEGES
LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS AND EXHIBITS
- 08/20 - Mohammed, F., Rick, T., Panelists: Barnes, L., Gonzalez, R., Koele, E., Pederson, M. COVID-19: Unmasking health inequities. St. Catherine University Integrated Learning Series: At the Confluence of the Liberal Arts and Social Justice—Race in the Machine.
- 09/20 - Gonzalez, R., Baker, M. Culturally-tailored dietary interventions for Hispanics with diabetes: A narrative review of empirical research. Minnesota Public Health Association Annual Conference and Meeting.