Bridget Keast’s career as a PA is marked by dedication, expertise, and leadership. With her 43 years of experience in primary care and emergency medicine, she has built a reputation for excellence, empathy, and leadership. Her commitment to lifelong learning, patient advocacy, and service to the PA profession has made Keast a respected figure in the PA profession, both in Oklahoma and nationally.
After graduating from Hutchinson High School in Hutchinson, Kansas, Keast attended Hutchinson Community Junior College from 1967 through 1969 and received an associate degree in radiologic technology. She worked as a “rad tech” for 2 years at Hutchinson Medical Clinic before attending the University of Missouri at Columbia earning her bachelor’s degree in education. Keast stated, “…the tech and nursing schools back then were in the hospitals. In Hutchinson, because of the presence of an institution of higher learning, the administration of the junior college ventured out and established a program that combined the hospital-based teachings with the college. This was a very early venture but, because I was awarded an associate degree from the junior college, I was recruited and highly encouraged to continue my education at the University of Missouri. This was the only college in the Midwest at the time that offered anything in the way of a bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology, but it was through the School of Education…”
Keast then began teaching radiologic technology, first at St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kansas and then Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. It was while working at Mercy that she was encouraged by PA Mike Pagano to apply to the University of Oklahoma (OU) Physician Associate Program in Oklahoma City. She was accepted into the program in 1978 and graduated in 1980 with a bachelor of science degree. Keast began seeing patients in Kingfisher and Okarche Family Practice Clinics. She “moonlighted” on weekends in the emergency departments of several of the smaller Mercy Hospitals in the state and worked additional shifts at Mercy After Hours Clinics.
Keast began educating PA students in 1980. Dr. Holsted, a staunch supporter of the PA “concept”, handed her the “job” of preceptor within a few months of her arrival. He had been a preceptor for years before Keast arrived in Kingfisher. She precepted students as often as OU would send them and she continued to be a preceptor for the OU program throughout her career. Keast stated “…I loved teaching (sharing) in that form!”
In 1998, students from the OU PA program recognized Keast as the Preceptor of the Year. She continued her involvement in PA education by interviewing potential applicants and served as a member of the PA program’s admissions committee. Keast’s teaching also extended to the classroom. One of her most popular presentations is “Bloom Where You are Planted” in which she is a member of a panel presenting to students during clinical orientation. Clinical orientation occurs between the end of the student’s didactic phase of education and the 2 weeks immediately prior to their first clinical rotation. Keast presents the rural Oklahoma perspective as she shares with students how not to just survive but thrive on any clinical rotation.
In addition to her clinical work, Keast has been very involved in the PA profession. She continues to maintain membership in the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Associates (OAPA) and has served as the organization’s president twice. In addition to serving as the OAPA president, Keast has been elected as a board member from her region and has been an Oklahoma House of Delegates representative to the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA).
Keast has been recognized multiple times by the OAPA for her contributions to the state organization and the profession. In 1990, she received the second PA of the Year awarded by the Oklahoma Academy. As Keast says “…on the heels of Earl Dunkleberger…” who was the first PA of The Year in 1989. The PA of the Year honors a PA who has provided quality health care and exemplary service and leadership to the PA profession in Oklahoma and has furthered the image of PAs. The Rural PA of the Year award was established by the OAPA in 1991; Keast was recognized as the Rural PA of The Year in 1997. The Rural PA of the year honors a PA who has provided quality health care in a rural community and demonstrated exemplary service to the PA profession in Oklahoma. The Rural PA of the Year has shown leadership and been a mentor to others in their rural community.
In 2017, Keast was awarded a Lifetime membership in the OAPA. Lifetime membership honors physician assistants who have rendered distinguished service to the state chapter and the PA profession, both in Oklahoma and nationally. Recipients of this honor receive free lifetime membership in the OAPA and have all the privileges of a chapter membership.
In 2023, Keast was appointed by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (OBMLS). This is the body that licenses MDs and PAs in Oklahoma. Although the board position is as a lay board member, she hopes her continued advocacy for the profession will open the door to a permanent PA seat on the licensure board.
Besides Keast’s extensive clinical experience, advocacy work and education of PA students. Keast has been a stained-glass artist for over 45 years. Many days one will find her working in her studio (910 Gloine) creating anything from family pets, flowers, dragons, fireplace screens, Tiffany style lamps and anything else she can imagine. In 2007, the 6 stained glass windows that Keast created were installed in the Father Stanley Francis Rother chapel at the Center of Family Love in Okarche, Oklahoma. https://centeroffamilylove.org/. Keast and her sisters also built the stained glass window (20″ X 20′) in the chapel of the Mercy hospital in Kingfisher.
After practicing for 43 years, Keast retired from clinical practice in 2023.
Acknowledgments:
This biography was written by Bruna Varalli-Claypool with the assistance of Bridget Keast. It was submitted to the Society in January 2026. All photographs are courtesy of Ms. Keast.
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