Sipong “Sy” Patamasucon, PA-C, M.H.S., is a duly-trained and bilingual physician whose work combines resilience, inclusive leadership, and international experience. Currently licensed and working as a PA, he holds a Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies in addition to his Doctor of Medicine degree. His path demonstrates a unique combination of clinical expertise from the United States and abroad, along with a love of dermatology and health justice.  

 

Dr. Sy pursued the PA path with strong dedication to his calling after systemic barriers  prevented him from being licensed in the United States despite having a medical degree from abroad. His subinternship training as a physician includes but is not limited to pediatric cardiovascular surgery, pediatric intensive care, internal medicine at a sleep study center, and multidisciplinary team leadership during family medicine rotations.  In addition, Dr. Sy was elected to the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society for leadership and academic achievement at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also served as the first President of the university’s hybrid PA program. This program was amongst the very first in the country. His senior attending physicians and program directors recognized his unique gifts and special contributions. His current mentor, Douglas Thomas, MD, has never wavered in his belief that Sy is a major asset that will humbly serve the needs of Thomas Dermatology’s patients in Arizona.   

 

Dr. Sy is also a strong supporter of disability rights and fair licensure in medicine. He participates in Stanford and Cambridge-led research on doctors with disabilities or chronic illnesses and is a mentor and member of the Stanford Medicine Alliance for Disability, Inclusion, and Equity’s Advocacy Team. His voice is based on personal experience and a dedication to removing obstacles that affect aspiring medical professionals both domestically and internationally. 

 

Today, he cultivates clinical environments characterized by empathy, adaptability, and ethical stewardship while assisting in the development of infrastructure and patient care models collaborating with and learning from fellow experts. Compassion, service, and accountability are the cornerstones of his medical philosophy. Dr. Sy’s service goes far beyond the examination room; he has volunteered in Colorado’s emergency COVID-19 mobilization efforts and collaborated with the Thai Army and Red Cross on Thailand’s National Flood Relief Team.  

 

On a personal note, Dr. Sy was born in Dallas and grew up in Hat Yai, Thailand.  He is fluent in both Thai and English. He and his Japanese spouse are raising trilingual children. He embraces heritage as a means of learning and leadership by teaching his kids Thai while his wife teaches them Japanese.

 

Dr. Sy’s favorite creative outlets are cooking, art, rock climbing, and most importantly, family, which add balance to his daily life. He is well-known for cooking for mentors and coworkers, even his patients and their loved ones. He feels that care is provided by both shared culture and medicine.  Dr. Sy continues to grow as a clinician and a leader, guided by the belief that true healing begins with compassion, integrity, purpose, and dedication.