We are pleased to present the next in our weekly series introducing you to Internal Medicine’s Advanced Practice Providers. In addition to sharing information about where they work in the department, we asked them each to tell us a little bit about their “Why” (the sustaining pull for their work) and what relaxes them. (Read previous weeks’ installments.)

Jacob Breitbach, PA-C, MPAS
Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine

Service: Medical ICU

Years with Internal Medicine: 4.5 years

Hometown:  Panora, IA

My “WHY”: First and foremost, the MICU offers a great work-life balance that allows me to optimize the time I have with my family. Additionally, the MICU is a dynamic environment that provides a lot of challenges, which encourages me to stay up to date on the most evidence-based critical care medicine. More important than that, it gives me a chance to make a positive difference in critically-ill patients’ lives. I take pride in the fact that I get to help patients who are potentially experiencing some of the worst times of their lives. If I can be a light in a time of darkness, it makes the job worth it.

What Relaxes Me:  I love spending time with my wife and three children. I also try to stay very active by exercising, hunting, fishing, golfing, or basically anything outside.

Jake is an invaluable member of the MICU APP team. He not only provides excellent ICU care to his patients, but goes above and beyond to educate other team members and students. MICU is lucky to have Jake!

– – Rachel Stadlen, DNP, ARNP

Read more about Breitbach in this feature on UI Health Care’s The Loop: Jacob Breitbach celebrates teamwork, successes in the MICU.