Physician Assistants Dominic Ayer, Warren Fenner join ED
RANDOLPH, Vt.—Dominic Ayer, PA-C, and Warren “Ren” Fenner, PA-C, have joined Gifford Medical Center, serving on the Emergency Department team.
As certified physician assistants in the ED, Ayer and Fenner provide care for patients of all ages with a variety of conditions.
Ayer, a veteran of the U.S. military, previously served as a medic in the United States and internationally, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. His philosophy of patient care is centered on shared decision-making.
“I am here to advise and guide a patient in making the right decision about their health care and emergency testing that’s available,” he said. “I am not in charge of a patient’s care. The patient is in charge.”
Ayer was drawn to Gifford by its reputation.
“Gifford has an excellent reputation for being patient- and community-focused, and for having nice people,” he said.
Ayer is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Emergency Medicine. He previously worked in the Emergency Department at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Vt., and at ExpressCare, a CVMC urgent care clinic. He teaches on the clinical faculty of the Physician Assistant Program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, Mass. He earned his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Rush University in Chicago, Ill., and a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire in Manchester, N.H.
In his off time, Ayer enjoys trail running, disc golf, and skiing.
Fenner brings 12 years of experience as a physician assistant at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) like Gifford. His philosophy of care is collaborative.
“Open lines of communication with patients is always important, including all facts to make decisions together,” he said. “Being kind and respectful is also always important.”
Fenner’s ties to Gifford run deep—he was born here—and his relationships with members of our medical team brought him back.
“It just clicked,” he said.
Fenner is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistants Academy of Vermont, and Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants. He previously worked for Emergency Services of New England, providing care at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, Vt., and Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Vt.; Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, Vt.; VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vt.; Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vt.; and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He earned his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., and a bachelor’s degree from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt.
In his downtime, Fenner enjoys “being outside—it’s where I feel at home,” outdoor activities like mountain biking and skiing, and spending time with family.
For more information about emergency care at Gifford, visit giffordhealthcare.org.
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CONTACT: Maryellen Apelquist, Communications Manager,
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Gifford is a community hospital in Randolph, Vt., with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Randolph, and Rochester, and specialty services throughout central Vermont. A Federally Qualified Health Center and a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, Gifford is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department and inpatient unit; many surgical services; an adult day program; 49-unit independent living facility, and a nursing home. The hospital’s mission is to improve individual and community health by providing and assuring access to affordable, high-quality health care in Gifford’s service area.
