Durham physician assistant named to NCMB
North Carolina Medical Board is pleased to welcome Ms. Varnell McDonald-Fletcher, PA-C, as its newest Board Member. Governor Roy Cooper appointed McDonald-Fletcher to the Board, effective March 6.
Ms. McDonald-Fletcher is a surgical physician assistant (PA) specializing in colorectal surgery. She currently practices at the VA Hospital in Durham, where she has both clinical and administrative responsibilities. Ms. McDonald-Fletcher is also a physician assistant educator, who has served as a guest lecturer with the Duke University Physician Assistant Program. Her prior clinical experience includes neurosurgery, orthopedics, neuro-oncology and pain management.
Ms. McDonald-Fletcher is a native of Detroit but moved as a child to Durham, where she attended Hillside High School. She earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry from North Carolina Central University and began her career in medicine as a medical technologist. She later completed training as a PA at Duke University, where she also earned a Master’s degree in Health Sciences. Ms. McDonald-Fletcher went on to achieve certification in surgery after completing a residency with Norwalk Hospital/Yale University’s PA Surgical Residency program. Most recently, Ms. McDonald Fletcher earned a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Health Occupations Education, from North Carolina State University. She also completed a teaching fellowship with the Duke University Physician Assistant Program.
