Call it a form of quid pro quo. Maggie Fuhrman delivers first-class orthopedics and sports medicine care to her patients and delights in what she receives in return.
“It’s very rewarding to be able to follow someone’s progress as they heal from surgery or rehab their sore joint and hear them say, ‘I haven’t done this in months, and now I feel like I can do it again,’” she says.
Fuhrman is a certified physician assistant with Orthopedics & Sports Medicine BayCare Clinic in Manitowoc. Physician assistants see patients, diagnose conditions, develop and manage care plans, assist in surgery, and more, all while working closely with a collaborating physician.
Fuhrman works with Dr. Carl A. DiRaimondo, an orthopedic surgeon. “Dr. DiRaimondo and I work very closely together. I have learned and grown a lot as a provider since starting with Orthopedics & Sports Medicine BayCare Clinic.”
Pursuing a career in medicine was always something lingering in the back of her mind, Fuhrman says.
“My dad is a physical therapist and my mom is an advanced practice nurse,” she says. “As a kid, I always enjoyed hearing what they did each day and thinking ‘I want to do something like that when I grow up.’”
The Wauwatosa native laughs when asked whether she ever entertained the possibility of a career other than medicine.
“I always knew I wanted a job where I could help people and I like understanding how and why things work. That naturally led to medicine for me,” she says.
Drawn to orthopedics and sports medicine
Orthopedics and sports medicine was of particular interest, Fuhrman says. Her active lifestyle was a big influence.
“I’ve played soccer since I was 3 years old and in college I worked on a high ropes course in addition to being a personal trainer. Working with people from all walks of life in order to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life was something I found very fulfilling,” she says.
That translated well to working in orthopedics and sports medicine, she says.
Fuhrman’s interest in orthopedics and sports medicine was further solidified during graduate school when she earned her master of physician assistant studies degree from Butler University in Indianapolis.
“I thought for sure I would work in an emergency room but I had an ‘aha’ moment during my orthopedic surgery rotation in PA school and realized that this was something I wanted to do every day.”
For Fuhrman, working in orthopedics and sports medicine is a way to combine several of her passions.
“I love what I do and am very happy to be here,” she says.
Partnering with patients
Fuhrman values the partnership she forms with each patient.
“I believe it is a privilege to work with patients because they could have gone anywhere but are choosing to come to you for care. I am grateful for their trust and the chance to be a part of their care team,” she says.
“My goal is to understand what is important to each individual and figure out how I can help through various treatment options. I strive to be the kind of provider that I would want my own family to seek out for their medical concerns.”
When Fuhrman isn’t seeing patients, she’s often running on the scenic streets and paths along Manitowoc’s lakeshore. She recently ran her first marathon and already has plans for her next event.
“I really enjoy leading an active lifestyle and spending as much time as possible outside, whether that’s running, hiking or exploring somewhere new with family and friends,” Fuhrman says.
Maggie Fuhrman, PA-C, sees patients in Manitowoc.