Board & Leadership

Erin is a Board Certified PA and Managing Member in private practice at Oasis LifeCare in State College, Pennsylvania.  She graduated from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Health Science Physician Assistant Studies program and now serves as a guest lecturer for the program.  Over her career, she has provided psychiatric care in inpatient and outpatient settings; and she received her CAQ in psychiatry in 2022.  She strives to remove barriers and educate professionals and community members on mental health, serves as a promotional speaker, and is the co-founder and President of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative (PAMHI).  She serves as Immediate Past Chair of the nccPA Health Foundation Board of Directors and as the chair of the PArtners in Mental Health Steering Committee, an effort that includes PA organizations and champions committed to continuing to equip all PAs to address mental health and substance use disorder.

Michelle is a full professor and Director of Didactic Education at Creighton University PA Program in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and has been a full-time educator since 2004. She has held many leadership positions including serving on the AAPA Board of Directors, the PA Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Governance Council for PAEA. She has volunteered over the past decade with underserved communities including developing an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional free clinic for the homeless in Central Phoenix, working with a transitional facility providing substance abuse rehabilitation for the homeless of Phoenix and providing free school physicals at Title I schools in Mesa, AZ.  Michelle joined the nccPA Health Foundation Board of Directors in 2022 and was reelected to a second term that began in 2025.

Wanda is a board-certified family medicine physician in Lexington, Kentucky.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at University of Louisville in 1975.  She completed medical school in 1984, her family medicine residency in 1987, and was in private practice for 10 years before beginning in academic medicine.  Wanda was Assistant Professor and Program Director at the University of Kentucky for 10 years.  In 2003, she joined the Medical University of South Carolina, becoming full professor and the PA program’s Medical Director.  She returned to the University of Kentucky as Vice Chair of the department and retired in 2019 to focus on improving health disparities by helping minority students become interested in medicine. At Kentucky State University, a historically black school, she started the Kentucky State Undergraduate Pre-Medical Academy to interest students in medicine, dentistry, or the PA profession.  Her interests include service learning, oral health, and care for the underserved.  She is a co-author of Smiles for Life, national, profession-neutral oral health curriculum and has served on numerous boards, including the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), which ended in 2017.   Wanda began her Board service to the nccPA Health Foundation in 2020 and was reelected to a second term that began in 2023.

Amna is a highly experienced clinician with over 15 years of expertise as a neurosurgical and vascular surgery physician assistant. She serves as an adjunct faculty member for the PA program at the University of Pittsburgh. In recent years, she has expanded her practice beyond the acute hospital setting, working in urgent care centers across Northern Virginia.  Amna earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Touro College and recently completed a Master’s in Health Administration at George Washington University. She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and holds an APP Leadership Certification from the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, she is EPIC-certified as both a content builder and data analyst, having contributed to multiple clinical informatics projects at INOVA.  For seven years, Amna served as the Lead APP of Vascular Surgery, where she played a key role in process improvement initiatives and team development. Currently, she serves as the Regional Director for National Vascular Associates in Northern Virginia. She also holds the position of Logistics Chair for Women in Health Care (DC Chapter).  Previously, she co-chaired the Recruitment and Retention Subcommittee of the APP Governance Board at Inova Fairfax Hospital for two years.  Beyond her clinical and leadership roles, Amna actively participates in medical malpractice case reviews and contributes to panel discussions for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Passionate about career development and the advancement of physician assistants, Amna actively mentors pre-PA and PA students, fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals.  She joined the nccPA Health Foundation Board of Directors in 2022, previously served as the chair of the Mental Health Workgroup, and was reelected to a second term that began in 2025.

Daria is a Board Certified PA who practices dermatology in Washington state. Prior to her work in dermatology, she practiced for 10 years in family medicine. She graduated from Idaho State University in 2015 with a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies. During her time at ISU, Daria served as the Student Academy Representative for her student society in the Assembly of Representatives at the AAPA conference and received an oral health champion academic scholarship for her work promoting dental care for children in her community. Daria is a first generation American. She immigrated from Ukraine via Israel, and she speaks Russian and Hebrew. In her free time, Daria enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her husband and three young children.  Daria joined the Board of Directors of the nccPA Health Foundation in 2023 and currently chairs the Health Disparities Workgroup.

Pat has more than 30 years of experience in teaching, service, administration, and patient care. She has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from California State Polytechnic University and a PA Program Certificate from the University of Southern California. Further, she earned a master’s degree in Post-Secondary, Adult and Continuing Education and a doctoral degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Portland State University.  Pat was one of the founding faculty members of the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine PA Program dating back to 1995, was the first PA to be promoted to the rank of full Professor at OHSU, and enjoyed an ongoing teaching role with PA students until her retirement from the program in 2024.  As a practicing PA she most recently provided primary care services at a free clinic, has published in national journals, and is a peer reviewer for Academic Medicine.  She is a Distinguished Fellow of American Academy of PAs, past president of the Oregon Society of PAs, and the only non-physician trustee on the Board of the Oregon Medical Association, where she serves on the Board’s Executive Committee as Vice President. Pat has been recognized for teaching and service throughout her career, including being awarded Oregon PA of the Year by OSPA, receiving the Master Faculty Award from PAEA, and in 2024, being chosen as PA Citizen of the Year by the OMA. She has participated in NCCPA test development activities for more than 15 years in a variety of roles.  Pat joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in 2019 as the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) nominee.  She joined the nccPA Health Foundation Board in 2024 and will serve a two-year term.

Darcie has been a Board Certified PA since 2012, practicing clinically in orthopedics, urgent care, and family practice at a Federally Qualified Health Center. She was the lead provider of a school-based health center for several years before transitioning to academia. Darcie joined the faculty of the Touro University California PA Program as an Assistant Professor in 2015 where she is the faculty of record for two courses and co-chair of three additional courses. She serves as a Faculty Senator and on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee at Touro, on the Aquifer Physician Assistant Task Force, and as a California Delegate to the AAPA HOD.  Darcie holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish from Sonoma State University and is a graduate of the Touro Joint PA/MPH Program Class of 2012.  Darcie volunteers in her community as President of Casa Grande High School Boosters Club and with the Medical Reserve Corps of Sonoma County. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, beekeeping, and sailing. She joined the nccPA Health Foundation Board of Directors in 2022 and was reelected to a second term that began in 2025.

Tajuana has been a Board Certified PA for 23 years in various areas of medicine. She has been employed in psychiatry primarily with the geriatric population. Recently, she has worked as a Behavioral Health Clinical Advisor and BH Auditor for psychiatry providers serving primarily those age 65 and older.  Tajuana earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Western Michigan University and completed her Master of Science at the Central Michigan University PA program.  She completed her Doctor of Medical Science Degree in 2022 from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and subsequently earned her CAQ in Psychiatry. She has authored The Little Brown Boy Premier & The Little Brown Boy goes to Chicago; facilitated annual Mental Health Summits in May 2023 and May 2024; and presented at state and national PA events, including for AAPA’s Women in Philanthropy members. She also serves on the board for the Lawrence Technological University PA program.  Tajuana joined the Board of Directors of the nccPA Health Foundation in 2025.

Joshua is Board Certified PA currently practicing in hematology/oncology at the George Washington (GW) Cancer Center in Washington, D.C.  He is a graduate of Shenandoah University’s PA program class of 2022, and most recently completed his Doctor of Medical Science degree from Shenandoah University in 2023.  Joshua also holds a Master of Public Health degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biology from Auburn University Montgomery. His vision involves treatment for the whole person, eliminating health inequities, and improving community health. He is an active mentor in the National Society of Black Physician Assistants (NSBPA) mentorship program. He is a member of the African Heritage PA Caucus (AHPAC) and serves as Treasurer for the Virginia Association of Minority PAs. Joshua joined the Board of Directors of the nccPA Health Foundation in 2024 and is serving a three-year term in a seat reserved for an early career PA.

Dawn joined NCCPA as President and CEO in June 2014.  In this role, she also serves as the chief staff officer for the nccPA Health Foundation and is a non-voting member of the Health Foundation Board of Directors.  Prior to her position with NCCPA, she served as a Professor and Dean at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.  She has practiced clinically in family medicine, addictive medicine, gynecology, and acute care for the homeless.  She has served the PA profession in several additional capacities, including as President of PAEA, as a commissioner for the ARC-PA, as an appointee to the HRSA Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry, as an appointee to the Federation of State Medical Boards Education Committee, and as an advisor to the National Health Service Corp.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Science and PA Certificate from Howard University. She completed a Professional Diploma in Instructional Leadership and earned a Doctorate of Education from St. John’s University. She is a frequent speaker at national, state and specialty PA forums.

Rick spent his career at Northwest Hospital Center and is transitioning to retirement from his position as Assistant Vice President of Provider Operations, where he was responsible for the administration of employed and contracted provider services.  Rick has a long record of professional involvement having served as President and Board Chair of the AAPA, the NCCPA, and the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants as well as the President of the PA Foundation.  He was named Outstanding PA of the Year by the Maryland Academy in 1987 and by the AAPA in 2000.  He has been involved in international workforce development serving as the first chair of AAPA’s International Affairs committee and then working as a consultant.  He led delegations to the Netherlands, Taiwan, Great Britain, China, Canada, Brazil, and Cuba and has done humanitarian missions to Africa.  Rick holds multiple faculty appointments including at George Washington and Towson Universities; and he chairs the Program Advisory Committee at the latter.  Rick is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins PA program and practiced internal medicine in a hospital setting for 40 years, transitioning from a clinical to an administrative role during that time.  Rick joined the nccPA Health Foundation Board in 2019, began a second term in 2022, has served two terms as the Board’s Treasurer, and currently serves as Chair of the Board.

Ben is the Program Director and Associate Dean at the Florida State University College of Medicine, School of PA Practice. He received Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology from the University of Georgia and PA Studies from the Medical College of Georgia, respectively.  He received a Master of PA Studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and earned his Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg in 2019.   Ben was the first PA to serve as President of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals and served five years on the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Rheumatology Board.  He previously served as Scientific Editor for the American College of Rheumatology’s Advanced Rheumatology Course and has published extensively on rheumatology, geriatrics, and medical education.  He has worked clinically in rheumatology thought his career.   Ben joined the NCCPA Board of Directors in 2020 as the AAPA nominee.  He was elected to serve concurrently on the nccPA Health Foundation Board in 2021 and reelected in 2024.

Zeno is a former health care executive with a distinguished career in the federal, state, and private sectors of healthcare.  His retirement in 2015, as Director for Legislative Coordination and Senior Advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, capped a 35-year career in public health.  A long-time activist in community affairs, Zeno has demonstrated an impressive commitment to public service, having served nearly 30 organizations in volunteer and leadership capacities during his career.  He is currently on U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey’s Senior Advisory Board; serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of H.O.P.E, Inc., a non-profit housing agency; and serves as a Public Member on the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.  He also is the Public Member representative on the Institute for Credentialing Excellence Annual Meeting Planning Committee.    A recipient of numerous civic and professional awards, Zeno earned his Bachelors degree from Morehouse College and earned a Masters of Public Health Administration from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.  Zeno joined the NCCPA Board of Directors as a Public Director-at-Large in 2018.  He was elected to serve concurrently on the nccPA Health Foundation Board in 2021 and reelected to a second term in 2024.

Steve is a Professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research (CEPR) in the College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis (UofM). He previously served five years on the Board of Directors of the Commission for Rehabilitation Counselor Certification including one as president. He previously served as Associate Director of the Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering (CERSE) and Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. Prior to those appointments, he spent nine years, first as an Assistant Professor and then as an Associate Professor with Tenure, in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling in the VCU School of Allied Health Professions. Steve has dedicated his work to improving the health and community integration of people with disabilities. He has worked to highlight the discrimination experience of people with disabilities in the workplace, to illustrate and remediate barriers to healthcare access, and to promote equality in education. Steve was elected to join the nccPA Health Foundation Board of Directors in 2020 and was reelected to a second term that began in 2023.

Tiffany is the Managing Director for the nccPA Health Foundation.  She began working with the Health Foundation in 2010 and joined full time in 2013.  In partnership with the President & CEO and the Board of Directors, she implements the Health Foundation’s strategic plan, including executing programs and coordinating operations.  As part of her work, Tiffany has been an active participant in the PA Leadership Initiative in Oral Health and the PArtners in Mental Health Initiative, profession-wide movements that have leveraged a collective impact strategy to bring together interested stakeholders and champions to achieve shared goals.  She started her career with the NCCPA and worked with the communications and governance teams as well as with its Board of Directors.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.