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.

Caitlin Davenport graduated with her Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Marywood University in 2012. Since then, she has spent her career in various aspects of the brain, starting in neurosurgery and eventually transitioning to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to start an inpatient advanced practice neurology team. Currently, she works as an advanced practice professional development. Her interest and focus on gender care comes from her journey with her three stepchildren, in partnership with CHOP's gender clinic.

Jen Campbell is a 2001 graduate of the Duquesne University PA Program and has worked in Cardiology for over 20 years. Initially she worked in private practice in Pittsburgh and later moved to Harrisburg PA where she continues to work in cardiology, now with UPMC in Central PA. In addition to clinical practice, Jen is the APP supervisor for a group of 24 PAs and NPs.

Throughout her career, Jen has been actively involved in the PSPA. She first served as the Leadership Committee co-chair where she created the PSPA Leadership Academy and the Professional Development Forum. Jen has also been elected to the PSPA Board of Directors and House of Delegates, where she represents Pennsylvania PAs at the AAPA Conference. Jen is currently serving as the Chief Delegate for Pennsylvania and the PSPA President Elect.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and two teenage daughters who have turned her into a Swiftie.

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.

Lisa D. Akselrad, PA-C is the Director of Advising and Mentorship and an Academic Coordinator in the Department of Medical Sciences at Arcadia University. Lisa Akselrad was excited to join her alma mater, Arcadia University, as a guest lecturer, then a facilitator and currently as full time faculty. Her academic philosophy goes well beyond the classroom. Lisa's mission is to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement by stressing the importance of inclusion, respect, mental well-being and the need for comradery within coworkers or classmates. In doing so, Lisa noticed a strong need for more mentorship within Arcadia's PA Program. She created the Director of Advising and Mentorship Position whose role spans from Orientation to Alumni. Lisa created an onboarding program for the Department of Medical Sciences stressing the multi aspects of her philosophy emphasizing mentorship. Lisa also helps run the mentorship programs within faculty, within cohorts, and within potential alumni preceptors. In 2023, Lisa was honored to be accompanied by her family, coworkers and many students as she was awarded the University Provost Award for Outstanding Advising and Mentoring.

Dr. Barnett has been a Physician Assistant for over 20 years, primarily in hospital medicine. She was formerly the Director of Hospital Medicine APPs for two hospitals within MedStar Baltimore. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of PAs and a certified professional in healthcare quality. She earned her Doctoral degree in Medical Science from AT Still University. She works for a Federally Qualified Health Center and, in her role, focuses on population health and improved access to care using a mobile medical van to underserved populations.

Jennifer McDanel is a physician assistant specializing in Women's Health. She is a 2003 graduate of Gannon University's Master of Physician Assistant Science program. Since then, Jennifer has worked in Women's Health settings. She spent the beginning of her career in the outpatient setting and expanded her skills to first assist in gyne and obstetrical cases in the inpatient setting. She now enjoys working exclusively in Labor and Delivery for Allegheny Health Network.

Amy Butts is a physician assistant who is a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), a certified diabetes care and education specialist, and is board certified in advanced diabetes management. Amy has specialized in endocrinology for 22 years. She currently works as an endocrine physician assistant for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital where she runs her own outpatient endocrine clinic in Wellsburg, West Virginia. She has served on several volunteer groups for ADA and ADCES. She is on the Editorial board for the ADA's publication Clinical Diabetes. Amy is the current President for ASEPA (American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants). Amy has spoken at several AAPA conferences and ADA conferences and does education for various CME organizations. She has been awarded America's Top Physician Assistant by Point of Care Network (POCN) for two years in a row, 2020 and 2021.

Blake is an Associate Professor and the Associate Director for Gannon University's Physician Assistant program in Erie, PA. Blake is board certified in Neurology, and she has worked with older patients in her prior practice. She has been at Gannon since 2016 and teaches PA students in a variety of courses and labs including Physical Diagnosis, Medical Lecture Series, Clinical Science, and Professional Ethics and Leadership.

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.

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.

Christopher Hart, a 2006 graduate from Chatham University Physician Assistant program, has worked in cardiology for over 17 years and is currently with the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. He has been a guest lecturer for the physician assistant programs at both Chatham University and the University of Pittsburgh.

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 Chair of the Reimbursement Committee. Katie regularly speaks at state and national conferences, precepts PA students, and guest lectures at multiple PA schools.

Barbara P. Yawn, MD, MS, MSc, is the Chief Science Officer of the COPD Foundation, a national COPD educational and advocacy organization. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Family and Community Health at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, and in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of South Dakota Medical School.
Dr. Yawn is a longstanding member of numerous professional societies and committees. She has contributed to 15 practice guidelines, including the WHO international asthma symptoms-based guidelines (IPAG) and the NHLBI 2007 Asthma Guidelines update. She has published over 400 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including approximately 70 articles on asthma and COPD. She has presented over 1000 professional papers and talks.
Dr. Yawn is Editor-in-Chief of Respiratory Medicine Case Reports and Section Editor for Respiratory Medicine and the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. She has served on the Editorial Boards of The Journal of Family Practice, Journal of Asthma and Allergy, Journal of International Respiratory Group, and Allergy Management in Practice, among other journals. Before joining the COPD Foundation, Dr. Yawn spent 20 years as founder and director of the Olmsted Medical Center and HealthSystem's department of clinical research after completing 15 years of rural primary care practice.

Allison Morgan attended Duquesne University's Physician Assistant Program and graduated cum laude in August 2000 with her Master of Physician Assistant degree. After graduation, Allison worked in primary care and urgent care. She currently works clinically in addiction medicine. In January 2002, Ms. Morgan joined the staff of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies as a full-time faculty member. She teaches History and Physical Exam I, II, and III, and Medical Sciences I and II. Allison also serves as Academic Coordinator for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She was a co-recipient of the Duquesne University Creative Teaching Award in 2006 and again in 2014. Allison is the recipient of the 2016 Deans Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ms. Morgan has served within the Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants as both a past Director at Large and speaker at sponsored CME conferences. She is a frequent speaker for various addiction medicine conferences and was a content developer for an online SUD certificate program through the Duquesne University Pharmacy School.

Brittney Franley, MSHS, PA-C, serves as an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator within the Physician Assistant department at Gannon University. She previously held positions in urology at St. Vincent's Allied Urology Practice and in internal medicine at Ashtabula County Medical Center. Dedicated to both clinical practice and academia, Brittney is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, the Physician Assistant Education Association, and the American Urological Association. At Gannon University, her teaching portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum of medical content, specializing in urology, problem-based medicine, business practices, billing and coding, medical ethics, and leadership development.

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.

Heather Adams is a tenured Associate Professor in the Physician Assistant department at Gannon University and a clinically practicing PA at Magee Women's Specialty, both in Erie, PA. She is a member of AAPA, PSPA, PAEA, and APOAG and was recognized as a AAPA Distinguished Fellow in 2023. Over the last 21 years Heather has practiced clinically in neurosurgery, cardiology, and women's health. She has been a full-time faculty member in PA education since 2011. Her teaching focus is medical content related to cardiology and women's health as well as physical diagnosis, medical research and writing, and evidence-based medicine. She has numerous scholarly achievements including local, state, and national professional presentations, webinars, poster presentations, and peer reviewed journal publications in Advance for NPs and PAs, Clinician Reviews, Physician Assistant Clinics, JAAPA, and Clinical Advisor.

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.

Dr. Linda Sekhon is the current Past- President of the PA Education Association. She has been a PA educator since 1996 and is the founding chair of the High Point University's Department of Medical Sciences and program director for the Doctor of Medical Science program. She serves on the Editorial Board for the North Carolina Medical Journal (NCMJ). She has presented and published numerous articles on clinical and professional topics with a focus on Rheumatology and was honored by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) in 2012 with a Paragon Publishing Award for her article on Rheumatoid Arthritis. She is an AAPA Distinguished Fellow and has received several state and national awards for professional leadership for her service to education and the PA profession.

Michel Statler is a Past President for the Physician Assistant Education Association and current President-Elect for the PA Foundation. She graduated from the Surgeon Assistant Program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and worked as a surgical physician assistant for 14 years before becoming a PA educator when she initially joined the faculty with the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at UT Southwestern in 1994. She recently completed her Doctoral degree in Medical Sciences through the University of Lynchburg as well as the Coaching Certificate program at UT Southwestern. She was inducted into the UT Southwestern Academy of Teachers in 2023.

Amy Blackman is the Co-Assistant Director and Director of Prevention Education at Crime Victim Center of Erie County. A graduate of Kent State University and SUNY Stony Brook, Amy has been providing educational programs and trainings for over 20 years. She is currently a certified trainer of mandated reporters through the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect, and serves on the Pennsylvania Association of Sexual Assault Center's Education Committee as the current chair. In her daily work, Amy strives to empower others of all ages to make a difference in their community in ways both large and small.

Breanne Blake currently serves as the program director and associate professor at Slippery Rock University. She earned her Master's degree from Chatham University and recently earned her Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She has practiced clinically in family medicine, urgent care medicine and psychiatry. She also serves as the current PSPA employment committee chair. Her research passions lie in the perinatal time period and simulation education; she has presented these topics at the SUN conference, PSPA conference and The PA Is In Podcast. She enjoys presenting today's topic to her PA students yearly. She finds it less enjoyable to experience some of these rashes through her two young sons.

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.

Daniel Tolomeo is a PA and principal faculty member of the University of Pittsburgh PA Hybrid Program and adjunct faculty with UC-SD Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program. Daniel was born and raised in Pittsburgh and loves Pitt so much he graduated twice from the university, and is in the process of receiving a third degree from Pitt! His undergraduate degree is in emergency medicine and he is a graduate of the residential PA program at Pitt. After graduation, he moved to Cleveland and worked for the Cleveland Clinic in the emergency department for five years. The call of Pittsburgh was strong, though, so he returned and became full-time faculty with the Department of PA Studies at Pitt. Outside of work, Daniel loves traveling, cooking, anything soccer-related (AC Milan and Everton supporter), being Italian, reading (mainly fiction), and coming up with fun and innovative ideas to make learning an interactive and exciting experience.

Kathryn Reed is a certified physician assistant and is the founder and president of the National Society of Black Physician Assistants (NSBPA). She received her B.S in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh in 2014, graduating Cum Laude with a minor in chemistry. She then received her M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Pittsburgh in 2016. Kathryn has practiced in family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. She now holds a faculty appointment for the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid Program where she is an Assistant Professor and Vice Chair for Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement. Additionally, Kathryn is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistant's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee and a commissioner for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs (COA - PTP). Most recently, Kathryn was awarded the PAEA's New Faculty Award for Professional Excellence for 2023.

Julie has been a clinically practicing APP at UPMC since 2006 after earning her Bachelor of Science and Master of Physician Assistant Science degrees at Duquesne University. She initially worked in Thoracic Surgery where she served as an APP Supervisor. In 2018 she transitioned to inpatient oncology at Shadyside and continues to work casually as an APP Expert. She is involved in multiple committees within UPMC's Office of Advanced Practice Providers including the APP MentorMe program and Education Committee. Dubis previously served on UPMC's APP Preceptor Academy and the APP Clinical Ladder Committee. She joined the full-time faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Physician Assistant Studies in July 2022 where she is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator for the Residential PA Program. She has initiated simulation-based activities for the Program at WISER and also in the cadaver lab for the teaching of procedural skills. She is on the Board of Directors for the SHRS Center for Interprofessional Studies. Julie is the Course Director for PreCEPT which is an innovative CME learning platform for Clinical Preceptors. Her interests include quality improvement, APP onboarding/transition to clinical practice, and clinical year student success and remediation. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies program to further her education.

Libby graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in pre-veterinary medicine and then briefly served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda, East Africa. After returning to the states she graduated from Chatham University with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies and began working with Romano, Pontzer and Associates in Pittsburgh, PA practicing in-patient Infectious Diseases for 24 years in person in Pittsburgh at many hospitals, predominantly at UPMC St Margaret and UPMC Passavant Hospitals serving on both Infection Prevention and Antibiotic Stewardship Committees. Libby has also focused on the Lyme and tickborne diseases epidemic in Western Pa seeing patients in clinic in support of the care offered by local primary care teams. Libby has been an adjunct to the PA programs at Chatham University and Duquesne University. Libby had been the Chair of the APP Council at UPMC Passavant and assistant director for the council's APP Academy in both Fall of 2022 and 2023. She recently joined UPMC and ID Connect, working in tele-ID "at" Duke-Raleigh hospital. In addition to ID, Libby loves raising her three boys, two dogs and tailless cat, PA. Libby also loves to swim and founded and runs the Flying Fish Heads, a United States Masters Swim Team and is the current Chair of the Allegheny Mountain Swimming regions USMS committee. Her favorite infectious disease is anaplasmosis. She enjoys stories and the fascinating narratives in medicine.

Nicole Theofanis is a 2015 graduate of Lock Haven University's Physician Assistant Program. She has practiced in cardiology since with experience in general cardiology, interventional cardiology, peripheral arterial disease and advanced heart failure. She has been subspecializing in advanced heart failure since 2021 and has been involved in initiating a medication optimization clinic for the titration of guideline directed medical therapy as well as caring for LVAD patients through a shared-care program.

Lindsay Busch graduated from Gannon University's Physician Assistant Program in 2009. She spent the next nearly 10 years practicing in adult Cardiac Surgery, initially at UPMC Passavant and then at UPMC Presbyterian as the APP Supervisor. In that time, she was a preceptor for the APP surgical residency program and integral in establishing UPMC's Cardiac Surgery program at Washington Hospital. In 2018, Lindsay transferred back to UPMC Passavant to begin the next phase of her career in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine. She currently holds the position of Director of Education and Career Development for Pulmonary Partners and has implemented a new Education Lecture Series to encourage both continued learning, as well as collaboration amongst the APP's and physicians on her team. Lindsay is the current Chair of the Passavant APP Council and the APP representative on the Passavant Medical Executive Committee.

Sandy L. Robertson, PharmD, is a native of North Carolina. She received a bachelor's and doctorate in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After completing a pharmacy practice residency in Fairfax, Virginia, Dr. Robertson pursued a specialty residency in family medicine. Her extensive involvement with family medicine residents in Charlotte, North Carolina led Dr. Robertson to choose a career in resident education and research.
Dr. Robertson joined the Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency Program in 1998. Her particular areas of interest include women's health, anticoagulation, and opioid management.
Dr. Robertson resides in Winston-Salem with her husband and son. In her leisure time, she enjoys dancing, jogging, and cheering on the Tarheels

Dr. Bogut earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from the State University of New York Geneseo and is fellowship trained in neurogenic speech disorders aphasia and oropharyngeal dysphagia. She pursued her degree in physician assistant studies from Hahnemann University (now Drexel University), Philadelphia, and has worked exclusively in the field of neurology for over twenty years. In May 2024, she completed her doctoral manuscript on new migraine therapeutics. She received her Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc.) from the University of Lynchburg, VA graduating with top honors and was inducted into the collegiate honor society of Phi Kappa Phi for scholarly work. She is on staff with Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital Department of Neurology in suburban Philadelphia and advocates for physician assistants/associates as a volunteer member of the APP council in the Jefferson Health enterprise. Dr. Bogut is a former Ubrelvy speaker bureau member and a guest lecturer in Neurology for the Alvernia University Physician Assistant program in Reading, PA, but this is her first speaker engagement at the PSPA conference.

Megan has been a practicing PA for over 15 years. She has practiced in endocrinology since graduation. She is employed by Metabolic Disease Associates in Erie where she manages all endocrine disorders across the lifespan. She is also involved in PA education and is the Associate Program Director/Clinical Director in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Mercyhurst University in Erie.

Nicole Larson, MPAS, PA-C, FAPACVS has been practicing in general thoracic surgery since graduating from Saint Francis University in 2006. She has worked at the University of Chicago, UPMC and currently practices at Independence Health (formerly Excela Health) in Westmoreland County. Nicole is also a guest lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh's PA program and serves as a clinical preceptor. In addition to AAPA and PSPA, Nicole is an active member of the Association for PAs in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and has served as co-chair of the thoracic track for the annual conferences in 2023 and 2024.

Dane Thomas is a board-certified physician assistant with over 13 years of clinical experience. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University with his Masters in Medical Science and Physician Assistant Studies. Since graduating, he has spent most of his career educating, managing, and
treating patients in oncology and hematology. He is passionate about educating clinicians and students in all aspects of medical oncology and hematology. He has served as a clinical preceptor for several PA and NP programs in Texas and Florida. Additionally, he has spoken at several
Advanced Practice Provider conferences throughout the country on hematology and oncology-related topics. Furthermore, he serves as a peer reviewer for hematology and oncology-related articles for the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Dane is currently practicing in outpatient medical oncology and hematology in Dallas, Texas.

John was a graduate student in philosophy and biblical studies prior to pursuing a career as a PA. He graduated from the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program in 2017 where he now serves as faculty and a hospitalist at the Milton S Hershey Penn State Medical Center. He has been recognized with the Lion Care Award for outstanding patient care, the Penn State PA Program Clinical Educator of the Year Award, and the Department of Medicine's Exceptional Performance Award. When John is not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Meghan, and tackling and being tackled by his four boys.

Amanda Mace earned her BS in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh prior to completing her MS in Physician Assistant Studies at West Liberty University. During her time at West Liberty University, she was inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants. After earning her degree, she continued to pursue her passion for neuroscience, joining AHN Neurology in 2016 where she continues to practice today. Since 2018, she has been practicing exclusively in headache medicine and is a proud member of the AHN Headache Center. Outside of the exam room, Amanda also participates in clinical research at AHN and is an annual guest lecturer at West Liberty University covering multiple topics in neurology.