The Evolving Role of the Physician Associate in Oncology

Physician associates (PAs) in oncology are transitioning from task-oriented roles to “patient experience architects” who are essential for maintaining continuity of care amid oncologist shortages. According to Hardik Thakkar, MSPAS, PA-C, the generalist training of PAs allows them to manage a patient’s comorbid conditions alongside their cancer treatment, significantly reducing care fragmentation.

Thakkar advocates for a team-based approach where PAs and nurse practitioners (NPs) leverage their respective strengths—the nursing model’s leadership and operational expertise and the medical model’s focus on pathology—to create a “two-way street” of collaboration that enhances patient safety and outcomes.

In an interview with Oncology Nursing News, Thakkar, the head of APP education at Moffitt Cancer Center and an expert in internal hospital medicine and oncology, discusses these insights as a leader recognized among Point of Care Network’s 2025 America’s Top PAs.

His professional dedication is rooted in a personal journey; witnessing his mother’s battle with breast cancer inspired him to move from heart transplant medicine to oncology to support patient resilience. Thakkar emphasizes that for organizations to thrive, they must invest in the advanced practice provider (APP) workforce through leadership opportunities, autonomy, and strategic inclusion to build long-term workforce resilience.

How has the role of PAs in oncology evolved over the course of your career?

PAs are trained as generalists, which allows them to integrate the oncology care with a patient’s comorbid conditions. … It reduces care fragmentation. Over the time that I have been with Moffitt, I’ve seen firsthand that as the cancer incidence continues to rise, there are also, unfortunately, not enough oncologists to care for these patient populations.

…This is where APPs have shined, in ensuring that continuity of care is maintained and that we can reach out to those patients and expand their care, being sensitive to patients and providing culturally competent care. Moffitt’s mission aligns with that.

The level of care over the time that I’ve worked in oncology has gone from APPs being a “task-oriented” profession to more of a…patient architect. We’re stakeholders in this world of complex oncology care that is required in this day and age.

What advice would you give to a PA who is interested in exploring oncology?

The field of oncology is, in a way, a calling. For instance, Moffitt Cancer Center’s mission is to prevent and cure cancer. You have to be able to reflect that level of sincerity for your patients and have kindness and empathy.

For new PAs, I would say to have that [empathy] as a personality trait. It is a learned behavior. Be able to challenge yourself, broaden your horizon, and do better for your patients and yourselves in the process. By truly invested, and it goes a long way.

What is your advice for nurses and nurse practitioners working with oncology PAs to optimize workflow and embrace the strengths of each care team member?

Fundamentally, there is a slight difference in the approach to patient care and educational training between the nursing model and the physician associate model. However, both of them are needed. This is the time for a team-based approach because for the next generation of oncology APPs, the focus is clinical competence as well as team-based care. That’s where harnessing and learning from each other only benefits our patients and our and healthcare community in general: focusing on improving patient care from both sides.

In nursing, there is a strong emphasis on leadership and operational training that nursing colleagues have phenomenal experience and training in. That's where PAs can truly benefit from that collaboration. For PAs, the focus on pathology and operations is something that our nursing colleagues and can benefit from. It’s a two-way street.

How can APPs grow their careers in oncology?

We have made tremendous strides in the last decade or so to maximize APPs and elevate their roles in oncology. The oncology patient population has elevated the professionalism that is required. The organizations that invest in the APP workforce and give APPs leadership opportunities provide autonomy and more of a strategic inclusion for APPs that will only improve patients care. It will also strengthen the workforce resilience that is required in oncology.

This transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.