Venice Family Clinic in the Thick of Providing Health Care

In its "Quest for Care" series, NBC takes a look at the shortage of health care providers as the Affordable Care Act beings its roll out.

In an online article, the media outlet checks in with three physician assistants, one of them Carrie Kowalski, who works for the Venice Family Clinic.

Physician assistants are growing in numbers, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Since 2006, their ranks have grown by a third.

Physician assistants, who can write prescriptions, manage patients  who are injured or have a chronic disease such as diabetes, perform minor surgery and coordinate care, are growing increasingly vital.

With a huge shortage of doctors being predicted by 2020, physician assistants are looked to to meet the basic health care needs of many people.

Read the NBC article for full details and a look at Kowalski's work for the Venice Family Clinic, where she serves people who currently have no insurance.