Catherine Roden is a Physician Assistant practicing Adult Congenital Heart Disease for Penn State Health. She has a 20+ year career in cardiology, previously practicing adult general cardiology and pediatric cardiology. Her special interests include heart-smart nutrition and exercise, cardiac-neurodevelopment in congenital heart disease, and wilderness medicine. Outside of medicine she loves to travel, hike, ski, and bicycle.

Meghan Schmidt is a graduate of King's College Physician Assistant Program with nearly 15 years experience focused in endocrinology and otolaryngology. She is in her 9th year with the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Department at Penn State Health and was recently appointed to faculty as an Instructor of Otolaryngology. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering her time with the Penn State Physician Assistant Program and serving as a Pennsylvania delegate for the AAPA House of Delegates.

Deanna Bridge Najera attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate degree and Chatham University for her PA education. She also obtained a masters in clinical mental health counseling from Shippensburg University. She is a regular speaker at the state and national level and is always happy to come back to Pennsylvania where she started her PA career.

Kevin A. Hickman is a PA with 15 years of clinical and leadership experience. He was the director of advanced practice providers for 4 years at two large healthcare systems in the northeast. During that time, he worked to improve organizational compliance with state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Additionally, he aided in improving PA and NP utilization and documentation. He is an assistant professor at A.T. Still University's Central Coast PA Program and clinically practicing in neurosurgery. He is AAPA's liaison to the American College of Surgeons.
He is certified in healthcare compliance and holds a Doctorate in Medical Science from A.T. Still University, a Master of Jurisprudence in Health Law from Loyola University, and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Ohio University. His thesis for health law explored the potential liability that can arise for physicians and organizations that employ PAs.

Maureen Sullivan is a PA with over 27 years of experience in internal medicine and emergency medicine. She also is an adjunct Professor at three Philadelphia area PA Programs. She graduated from the Hahnemann University PA Program and received her master's degree from Drexel University. She completed her doctoral degree in Education and Organizational Leadership from Stockton University. Her research dissertation was on Emotional Intelligence in the PA student. Her research revealed that PA students are deficient in their emotional intelligence skill set.

She has presented her expertise on Emotional Intelligence at multiple forums to healthcare providers, at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, Dr. Sullivan is certified as an Emotional Intelligence coach, trainer, and mentor.

Dr. Sullivan volunteers on various local, county and state advisory boards for Opioid and Alcohol Abuse and volunteers her time at a free clinic for the uninsured population. Additionally, she is the current President and Membership Chair of the New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants.

Tracy Bingaman, MSPAS, PA-C helps clinicians land the biggest raises of their career, scale their income and achieve financial independence. From the depths of healthcare burnout, Tracy has healed and become a Unicorn Provider with a job she loves, abundant time, energy and money. Her podcast, The PA Is In, recently celebrated 100,000 downloads. A thought leader on burnout, boundaries and negotiation, Tracy is helping clinicians to redefine success in their lives and careers.

Michelle Fischer is a current assistant professor at the Salus University physician assistant program in Elkins Park PA. She graduated from the Salus PA program in 2009 and has been actively practicing medicine for more than 12 years. She has practiced in family and internal medicine, orthopedics and currently practices in urgent care. Prior to PA school Michelle worked at the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease where she researched animal models of Parkinson disease and thus her areas of clinical interest include not only chronic respiratory illness but also
neurodegenerative disorders.

Steve Cohen is a Physician Assistant in Neurosurgery and Trauma at Suburban Hospital/Johns Hopkins Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. He has 40 years of clinical experience in multiple surgical subspecialties, focusing on Neurosurgery throughout most of his career. Steve is a regular speaker and local and national conferences including a presentation on concussion at the 2022 PSPA meeting. Let's welcome Steve.

I have been a nurse practitioner for over 30 years. Nursing education includes a bachelor's degree from Villanova University, a master's degree from State University of New York in Binghamton and a PhD from Penn State University. I practice in general internal medicine providing both primary care and obesity medicine. I have been at Penn State since 1997.

Rob is a 1995 graduate of the Drexel University PA Program (formerly Hahnemann University PA Program). Within these 25+ years, Rob's career path has been quite diverse, having practiced clinically full-time in outpatient pediatrics, emergency medicine, and orthopedic surgery. Rob is also an accomplished instructor and has a wealth of teaching experience - beginning as an adjunct instructor with his alma mater immediately after graduation, through his position as a full-time assistant professor faculty member of the Philadelphia University PA Program. Rob currently continues to educate serving as an adjunct professor with the Marywood PA Program and is an active preceptor of PA, medical and nurse practitioner students.

Rob is a strong advocate for the PA profession. As such, he has served and continues to serve in many PA leadership roles locally, regionally, and nationally. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA), and currently serves as the Society's treasurer. In 2015, the American Academy of PAs recognized Rob as a distinguished fellow.

Presently, Rob is employed as an orthopaedic surgery PA within the Geisinger Health System Musculoskeletal Institute and practices in both in Wilkes-Barre and Pittston, PA.

Mr Matthew Wetherhold is a dedicated Physician Assistant specializing in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. Graduating from the PCOM Physician Assistant Program in 2002, he commenced his career at MD Anderson Cancer Center within the Plastic Surgery Department in Houston, TX.
Since 2006, he has been practicing at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Recognized as a guest lecturer across numerous Physician Assistant programs in the greater Philadelphia region, he imparts expertise in surgical suture, knot tying, and various surgical subjects.

Residing in Bucks County with his wife and four children, he maintains a commitment to professional excellence and community engagement. He can be reached at matthew.wetherhold@fccc.edu.

Lane worked in multiple fields including surgery, gyn oncology, emergency medicine, and academia.
Lane volunteered within the PSPA as a regional representative, committee chair, liaison, director on the Board of Directors, president, and long-time delegate to this House.

Lane has mentored hundreds of PA students and clinically practicing PA leaders who have gone on to serve.

She was the recipient of the AAPA HOD Life Service Award in 2016.

Ms Wetherhold has been a PA since 2002, and currently is a practicing PA-C in the Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center. She has been practicing in this field since 2007. Prior to that, she was working at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX, also in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.

Brooke Olenowski PA-C graduated from Duquesne University in 2004 with a Master's Degree of Physician Assistant. After working in Pittsburgh and Charlotte NC, she moved back to her hometown and has been working for Penn State Hershey Medical Center since 2012. The first half of her career was caring for liver and kidney transplant patients. She has now been caring for nephrology patients since 2015 with a focus on hemodialysis and other forms of renal replacement therapy. She also feels education is important, and after years of teaching patient education classes, has enjoyed presenting lectures to PA students and to colleagues at CME conferences.

Julie Jones is a graduate of Arcadia University Physician Assistant Program. She has worked in Pediatric Cardiology at Penn State Health for the past 19 years. She enjoys being a guest lecturer at Arcadia University, teaching congenital heart disease. She works to improve the quality of care of single ventricle patients through participation in the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaboration. She is actively involved in leading the Advance Practice Providers at Penn State Health. Julie is a wife and mother of 3 amazing kids. Outside of work, she enjoys the great outdoors through gardening, hiking, biking and boating.

Dr. Shane Kinard is an assistant professor of hospital medicine at Penn State College of Medicine. He previously attended medical school at UC San Diego and completed his IM residency at St. Joseph Mercy in Ann Arbor, MI. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and has been teaching students, residents, and faculty how to utilize point of care ultrasound for procedures and diagnostic purposes since 2019.

David Chu is an associate professor of medicine in the division of pulmonary, allergy and critical care at Penn State. He serves as the program director for the pulmonary/critical care fellowship where he also directs the critical care ultrasound curriculum. He also co-directs the point of care ultrasound curriculum for the internal medicine residency. His clinical area of expertise is in pulmonary vascular diseases.

Katie Kugler has been a PA for over 23 years with varied clinical experience throughout her career, including Interventional Radiology. She is currently working at the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Hospital in Otolaryngology. Katie is an AAPA HOD delegate for Pennsylvania and is very active in her state society as the Co-Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee. Katie regularly speaks at state and national conferences, precepts PA students, and guest lectures at multiple PA schools.

Tara McSwigan has been practicing clinically for over 22 years within emergency and urgent care medicine. She has shared her unique passion for ophthalmology in both lectures and work-shops at numerous state and national conferences. Her current role is as assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid program, where she continues to build upon her love of teaching and learning.

Alicia Quella is the Director of Communications and PA Relations at the NCCPA. She has served as a PA educator and has practiced in emergency medicine and primary care. She has served as an epidemiologist and has published research on the PA workforce, global health and issues affecting diversity in PA program admissions. Alicia earned her Masters of PA Studies degree and her doctoral degree in epidemiology from the University of Iowa.

I am currently assistant professor of medicine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. I serve as the Associate Program Director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship. My clinical interests include medical education and critical care quality improvement.

Pat has been a practicing Physician Assistant since graduation from King's College in 2009. He holds a full-time faculty position at West Chester University's PA Program and remains clinically active as a member of the Trauma Surgery team at Paoli Hospital for the last 10 years.

Zachary Weik is a professor at Arcadia University. He has worked clinically at Lankenau Medical Center since 2008. He has clinical experience in all surgical specialties, with a focus on vascular, trauma, and transplant surgery. He also serves as a medical provider in the PA Air National Guard. Originally from Lancaster, Zach now resides in Maple Glen, PA with his wife and two children.

Christine McCormick grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia where she spent much of her childhood dancing. Before college, she was interested in becoming a professional ballerina. A knee injury prompted an orthopedic evaluation, which turned her medical curiosity into a potential career interest. Ultimately, she decided to pursue science and thus stopped her competitive ballet training.

McCormick completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Forensic Sociology at Rosemont College, followed by a Master of Science in Sociology/Criminal Justice at St. Joseph's University. She then worked for several years as an undergraduate professor at Rosemont College. She left her teaching position to pursue her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Arcadia University, and graduated in 2016. Her clinical practice has been focused in the areas of emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine. She joined the Salus University PA faculty in August of 2018 and was promoted to the Director of Educational Competency and Strategic Innovation role in July 2022. She teaches in the Clinical Medicine, Physical Diagnosis, Clinical Problem Solving, and Acute and Invasive Medicine courses. McCormick completed her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a concentration in PA Education through Butler University in August 2023.

René Najera is an epidemiologist and doctor of public health. Originally from Mexico, Dr. Najera is the Director of Public Health at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He holds a Doctor of Public Health Degree from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. Najera also lectures on public health topics at Johns Hopkins University, where he is an associate in the Department of Epidemiology, and at George Mason University, where he is an adjunct.

Dipu Patel is a board-certified, doctoral-trained PA passionate about medicine and education. She has over 23 years of clinical, operational, and leadership experience which has inspired her to lend her talent to the education of the next generation of PAs. Having worked in various settings, including emergency medicine, urgent care, and hematology/oncology, has allowed her to fully embrace her practice and skillset to provide patient-centered care. Her leadership extends beyond academia into healthcare tech startup space where she was the Director of Clinical Pathways. She led a team of global clinicians where she assured that each clinical pathway is provider-driven and patient-centered. Currently, as Vice Chair for Innovation and Professor at the University of Pittsburgh DPAS program, she brings her leadership skills to further the PA profession and its impact by teaching and developing skills in quality improvement, innovation, and digital health. She maintains a robust teaching schedule at various universities as an adjunct and consults on curriculum development and redesign, professional coaching and mentoring, and digital health. She has served on several gubernatorial-appointed positions including the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Physician Assistants since 2009 and has been Chair of the Board since 2012. She has previously served on the Governor's Advisory Council-Task Force on Foreign-Born Healthcare Professionals in Massachusetts and the Foreign-Trained Medical Professional Commission. Additionally, she was elected to serve as Director-at-Large for the Physician Assistant Education Association from 2016-2020, where she was actively involved in conversations about the implications of education and practice at the professional, clinical, and academic levels. Incorporating clinical skills and knowledge with new technology that enhances patient education and advocacy is what drives her work. While technology and education will be ever evolving, they will always need a human touch. She strongly believes that our work has to be rooted in both technology and humanity.

TJ Berger MS, PA-C, RPSGT is a native of Long Island NY who received his undergraduate degree at Binghamton University. Before going on to complete a Masters Degree in the Physician Assistant Program at Philadelphia University, he worked as the Clinical Coordinator of the Sleep Disorders Center at Temple University Hospital where he published academic research as well as co-authored a book chapter on sleep related breathing disorders. Over the past 23 years as a physician assistant, he has worked in the fields of cardiovascular surgery, cardiology, pulmonology, and critical care. TJ frequently lectures at PA programs in the Philadelphia area. His hobbies include road biking, Boston Terriers, studying foreign languages, and, of course, reading medical journals.

Nani Cuadrado, MSPAS, PA-C is the Director of Education for HEAL Trafficking. She began working as an emergency medicine physician assistant (PA) for Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) 20 years ago. Despite exposure to the Spanish studies in high school and college, Nani found her work in the emergency department, on the street serving persons experiencing homelessness, as well as numerous medical mission trips to Central and South America required a better grasp of the Spanish language. With English as her first language, Nani found that when she stepped out of her comfort zone and engaged with patients and their families in Spanish, experiences for both she and her patients significantly improved (her patients were her greatest teachers). In 2020, she was the first physician assistant to be selected for the Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz Humanism in Healthcare Award as a leader and change agent in Street Medicine and prevention of human trafficking. In 2021 she was awarded American Academy of Physician Assistants' (AAPA) Physician Assistant of the Year for demonstrating exemplary service to the community.

Grant Meckley PA-C is the director of the Keystone Agricultural Worker Program for Keystone Health. He sees patients for primary health needs at the ag worker clinic in Gardners, PA. He graduated from the Lock Haven University physician assistant program. He attended Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, PA for his undergraduate studies. Grant enjoys being outdoors, homesteading, and international travel

Natasha Smith is a graduate of Wayne State University (BS, Psychology; BS, Biology, MS, Physician Assistant Studies) and the University of Michigan (MHSA). She has worked as a Physician Assistant since 2006. She has worked in various fields including Internal Medicine, PM&R, Orthopedics, and Cardiology. She has spent the majority of her career as a Cardiology Physician Assistant starting with a private practice cardiology group in 2015 and has worked in the Catheterization Lab at Henry Ford Hospital Main Campus since 2018. Natasha is also an adjunct professor for the Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant Program. Natasha has provided lectures for Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA), OAPA, and AAPA. She has also completed training to become a Master Trainer for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through MAHP, and she provides lectures at the hospital and at PA schools about ACEs and their impact on health. Natasha enjoys precepting students and serves as a clinical educator and preceptor for Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University. Natasha is active within Henry Ford Health where she is a member of the Ethics committee, Post Crisis Response Team, and she also holds a position as Physician Assistant at Large for the Advanced Practice Provider Board.

Alan Heckman has been involved in healthcare for over 20 years. He is a 2004 graduate of Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, specializing in Communications, and a 2011 graduate of DeSales University with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Alan is the recipient of the 2011 faculty award from the DeSales PA Program. His clinical experience includes Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Critical Care. In addition, Alan has worked in the prehospital clinical environment since 1996.

Presently, Alan is a full time Associate Professor and Chair of Medical Studies in the Physician Assistant Program at DeSales University and continues to practice Critical Care medicine. He is a current fellow in the Doctor of Medical Sciences program at the University of Lynchburg and hopes to take this new knowledge back to his program at DeSales.
Academically, Alan has published in multiple textbooks, including textbooks of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and has presented at local, state, and national conferences.

Alan and his wife, Amy, are Disney fanatics and enjoy traveling to Florida with their three children.

Dr. Fritz completed her Doctorate in Health Science from California University of Pennsylvania where her research centered around mental health and wellness of graduate students. She completed her Master of Physician Assistant and Biomedical Science training at Medical College of Ohio (University of Toledo) in 2003. She also holds a Bachelor of Health and Human Services from Bowling Green State University.

She worked clinically as an orthopedic PA for 12 years and has been teaching at SRU since 2017. She currently teaches Clinical History and Physical Diagnosis and Skills Lab. She also assists with the clinical year students. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, Association of Standardized Patients and the Physician Assistant Education Association. She is the faculty advisor for the student organization SAAPA and Chairs the simulation committee.

heather.fritz@sru.edu

Together Heather and Elise co-hosted a simulation conference with Laerdal Medical in September at Slippery Rock University and have created a workshop today that covers their birthing curriculum.

Elise Somers graduated from Chatham University in 2010 with a Master's in Physician Assistant Studies. She also holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and a minor in criminal justice from Juniata College. She completed her Doctor of Health Sciences from East Stroudsburg University where her dissertation addressed sex education in adolescents in rural Pennsylvania. She is board-certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Ms. Somers was an Adjunct Professor for Slippery Rock University's Physician Assistant program before starting her full-time position at Slippery Rock University. She has presented several poster presentations on simulation in the Slippery Rock Program at the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) and has presented her pregnancy simulation curriculum at the Association of Standardized Patient Educators in June 2023. Ms. Somers has 10 years of clinical experience as a Physician Assistant in Family Practice, as well as 2 years in General and Vascular Surgery and 1 year in Urology. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE). Her current research focuses include the health and wellness of students, period poverty, and the cultural implications of menstruation, as well as simulation in physician assistant education.

After practicing emergency medicine, I transitioned into pediatric orthopedics in 2006. I am fortunate to work in a top tier children's hospital where ongoing research leads to advances in care. I enjoy teaching pediatric orthopedics at Philadelphia area PA programs. I have had the opportunity to present on pediatric orthopedics many times at the annual
AAPA conference, as well as at many state PA conferences. I am a member of the West Chester University PA Program faculty.

Freddi Segal-Gidan, PA, PhD, has devoted her career to the care of older adults and those with disabilities. She is currently director and of the Rancho-USC California Alzheimers Disease Center (CADC) located at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, Californiq, a member of the clinical and research staff with the NIH-funded USC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), and project director for the interprofessional education programs of the HRSA-funded USC Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). Dr. Segal-Gidan holds appointments as an associate professor of clinical medicine in Neurology and Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and USC L. Davis School of Gerontology. Her current practice and research activities focus on improving detection of cognitive impairment in primary care, enhancing care for persons with dementia in the Latino community and promoting interdisciplinary health professional training as a way to improve the future geriatric workforce.
Dr. Segal-Gidan writes and speaks frequently on topics related to geriatric medicine and dementia care.

Sarah Lewis earned her Master in Physician Assistant Studies from Lock Haven University. Sarah's clinical career started in rural family medicine, and since 2005 has enjoyed emergency medicine. Teaching PA students full time has been a passion since 2010. She is an Assistant Professor for the Penn State University Physician Assistant Program and an EM PA at Hershey Medical Center.

Dan Weiss has 15 years of clinical PA experience, specializing in critical care medicine. During the Covid pandemic, Dan was the lead advanced practice provider for UPMC Central PA critical care services.

Kristi initially practiced as a radiology technician at PS Health, Hershey after graduation from High School. After a few short years she realized that her primary interest was in becoming a care provider. She has been practicing as an Orthopaedic Surgery PA at Penn State Health, Hershey since graduating in 2004. The last fifteen years of her career have been focused on care of poly trauma patients. Since graduation from PA school, she has earned a master's degree in education from PSU and is currently a Doctoral of Medical Science Candidate at the University of Lynchburg. She transitioned to full-time didactic faculty at the PS COM in July 2022.

Miriam Dineen is a Physician Assistant at The Mood Treatment Center and has her Certificate of Added Qualification in Psychiatry through the NCCPA. She is a speaker for Abbvie, preceptor for High Point University's PA program, and speaker for CME dinners and conferences. She is a 2009 graduate of the Wake Forest Physician Assistant program and has practiced across several specialties in North Carolina for the last 13 years.

Gerald Harkins, MD, is a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and is certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is the Medical Director for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at UPMC in Central Pa. He received his medical degree from Penn State University and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Dr. Harkins has over 20 years' experience in caring for patients with endometriosis and complex gynecologic surgery and specializes in complete excisional surgery for patients with endometriosis. His clinical interests include minimally invasive surgical techniques for management of fibroids, uterine polyps, and malformations such as uterine septum and tubal anomalies, and fertility-preserving surgery in the management of fibroids and severe endometriosis.

He has published numerous articles on surgery and endometriosis patient care and is a recognized speaker for MIGS-based care of complex gyn patients. He is a member of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, and Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society.

Laura Critchfield, PA-C has been working as a primary care provider since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a Master of Science degree. With perseverance and dedication to her work, she was able to create a pathway to becoming an assistant professor within the Department of Family & Community Medicine at Penn State Health despite not having a terminal doctorate degree. She works as Lead APP within the Department of Family & Community Medicine where she has created and developed an onboarding program for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). She also spends part of her time in education as a pediatric course director for the Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program. Her clinical practice consists of outpatient ambulatory family medicine.

Justine Samanas graduated from King's College in 2006 with her bachelor's degree in medical sciences and a minor in health care administration and biology. In 2007 she attained her master's degree from the same institution in physician assistant studies. In 2020, she graduated from Marywood University with her PhD in Strategic Leadership and Administration.
Justine has been working at Marywood University since 2014 in the role of clinical coordinator and clinical assistant professor. Dr. Samanas has accrued a diverse history of experiences in outpatient and inpatient care, these experiences have allowed her to treat patients with substance use disorders; in forensic psychiatry in the prison setting; in crisis diversion units; and for providing psychiatric consults for inpatients along with halfway house residents. Her care has included pediatric, adolescent and adult patients.

Dr. Fannie is currently the Associate Program Director and Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, MS Residential Program, University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fannie completed a Doctorate in Physician Assistant Studies in 2023. She works clinically for UPMC in Womens Health. Dr. Fannie is an active member of PSPA and Co-Chair for the Student and Faculty Affairs Committee.

I'm Ripal Patel, a Physician Assistant student from Marywood University. I grew up in India and moved with my family when I was 18. After a struggle of being a new immigrant, I overcame my English language barrier and was able to go back to school here. I always wanted to work in health care becoming a pharmacist, but due to financial need, ended up working as a Registered Medical Assistant with some schooling in the USA. After 6 years of patient interactions, made me realize that I wanted to be someone who could treat patients beyond MA. With the help of my family and scholarships offered by Marywood University, I was able to apply for a physician assistant program. In my spare time, I love enjoying time with my husband and son. I love listening to music, which is very therapeutic in stressful times. I enjoy traveling to different places and my home country. I am sure that if I can overcome the struggle of PA school, anyone who can.

My name is Sofi Papastamos and I am a PA-S2 at Marywood University. I grew up in Utah, played soccer & got my Bachelor's at Portland State University in Public Health. I have been a PSPA member for over a year and I am a PSPA Student Director. I am most interested in women's health & pediatrics!

My name is Patrick James Barney and I am a PA-S2 at Marywood University. I grew up in Sccranton, Pennsylvania where I also obtained my bachelors in Physiology at the University of Scranton and my masters in Dietetics at Marywood University. My hobbies include lifting, hiking, and reading manga. I am most interested in emergency medicine and plastic surgery!

Jeff Boswell is the Student Outreach Ambassador for the NCCPA and also handles planning and logistics for all of their exhibits and presentations at many state and national PA meetings across the country. Jeff has spoken to thousands of PA students at hundreds of programs about the PANCE during his 6+ years at NCCPA and has a passion for supporting students through their PANCE experience.

With over a decade of financial planning experience, Gary McGovern is skilled at navigating the complexities of today's ever-changing environment. Gary's philosophy forms around the concept of balance. While it's easy to spend now, it typically leads to harder decisions later in life. Gary supports and guides his clients to make smart, balanced choices today to enjoy an easier tomorrow. His passion for empowering clients with financial confidence ensures effective execution.

Gary holds securities licenses 7 and 66 as well as life, accident, and health insurance. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Westminster College.

Benevolent, emerging, and zealous physician assistant with 7 years of primary care experience, including 6.5 years in community health, and 3 years of experience as adjunct assistant professor in physician assistant studies. Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions' G. John DiGregorio MD, Ph.D Award for Distinguished Teaching by Adjunct Faculty recipient in 2018. Strengths include experience in detailed primary care diagnostics and treatment, proficiency in patient education, and ability to establish a safe and warm environment and rapport.

Christiian Credle, PsyD (he/him/his) is the Lead Mosaic Psychologist/Supervising Psychologist at AIDS Care Group (ACG), a non-profit organization that provides medical care, dental care, and social services to underserved populations in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. He serves as Lead Psychologist in ACG's gender and sexuality clinic called Mosaic Medical Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Health and Wellness. At Mosaic Medical Center he supervises all staff therapists and students in its training program. In addition to providing individual therapy in the HIV and LGBTQIA+ programs, Dr. Credle co-facilitates the Gay Men's Psychotherapy Group and the Transgender and Gender Diversity Psychotherapy Group, serves as the Institute for Public Health Psychology's Chair of Diversity and Inclusion, and is a member the ACG Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He also supervises psychotherapy in ACG's Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Addiction Clinic called The Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Credle specializes in working with people who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals living with HIV, clients in recovery, and people with persistent characterological disorders. Dr. Credle uses Schema Therapy, Relational Cultural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Psychodynamic Therapy, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, trauma informed interventions and therapy integration in his clinical work. Dr. Credle is a graduate from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, DC and has built a specialty in cultural humility and gender affirming care training for providers working in health care settings.

Debbie Harrell, MSN, RN, NE-BC, has worked in burn care for more than 30 years. She was director of Cincinnati Shriners Hospital's burn unit; worked in burn care research, and developed teaching tools about lighter safety, burn prevention, and burn care. Debbie is currently the Director of Professional Relations at Shriners Children's Ohio and speaks on the state, regional, national and international level educating all levels of HCP on burn management.

Ms. Cara Orr has been practicing family medicine as a physician assistant in the greater Philadelphia region for more than a decade. She started her medical career at a federally qualified health center in North Philadelphia. It was here that Ms. Orr developed a passion for patient centered-care and education to improve patients' overall health and wellness. Although she enjoys the broad spectrum of disease processes found in family medicine, Ms. Orr has a particular interest in the management of diabetes. In 2019 she transitioned to full time academia at the Salus University PA Program, where she now serves as the Director of Didactic Education. In 2022 she was appointed as the AAPA representative to the American Diabetes Association's Primary Care Council where she serves with other clinicians to address needs of primary care providers in their management of patient with diabetes.