EKATERINA GURZHI PA-C

Ekaterina Gurzhi is a board-certified physician assistant who works with Dr. Christian Heywood in sports medicine and joint replacement surgery using a whole-person and multimodal approach to nonsurgical and surgical treatment of knee, hip and shoulder injuries and conditions.  She provides patient counseling and education on individual treatment plans which includes lifestyle management, exercise and activity modification, medication, physical and occupational therapy, bracing/splinting/casting, injection, and surgery. She is Dr. Heywood’s surgical assistant in the operating room. 

Kat is a Bay Area native who grew up in a diverse and STEM-empowering community. “I developed an appreciation for people of all backgrounds and a love for science, medicine feels like the ideal harmony between those two,” she says.  “I gravitated towards being a PA due to the well-rounded training and ability to gain experience in a wide variety of specialties to provide comprehensive care to patients.”  

Before attending PA school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA, Kat worked as a medical assistant and medical scribe in a wide variety of fields including ER, primary care, pain management, and neurology.

Kat is an active individual as well as caretaker for her elderly and immobile grandmother.  She understands the full spectrum of function ranging from activities of daily living to competitive athleticism. She understands the powerful link between physical ability and quality of life and is passionate about helping individuals achieve their desired level of function so they can get back to doing the things that bring them joy. 

When not treating patients, Kat enjoys the multitude of year-round outdoor activities Northern California has to offer, including climbing, skiing, hiking, cycling, and playing pickleball.  She also enjoys book discussion clubs, painting, and spending time with her family, friends, and dog.