American Academy of Physician Associates Announces 2023-24 Board of Directors

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (July 5, 2023) – The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Board of Directors began its 2023-2024 leadership year on July 1. Folusho Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA, will lead the organization as AAPA President and Chair of the Board. Ogunfiditimi served as AAPA President-elect prior to stepping into his new role as President and Chair of the Board.

Since joining AAPA’s Student Academy as a PA student more than 20 years ago, Ogunfiditimi has embodied how PAs Go Beyond for their patients and communities every day. Growing up in Nigeria, Ogunfiditimi saw firsthand how challenging it can be to access high-quality healthcare. His experiences significantly influenced his decision to pursue a career in medicine to help improve access to high-quality, patient-centered care. Over the last 23 years, Ogunfiditimi has served as a healthcare administrator and a practicing PA in urology. In addition, he’s held numerous volunteer leadership positions, including serving on several AAPA committees. His journey, he hopes, can empower other PAs to become bold leaders who continue to advocate for their patients and the profession.

“I truly believe there has never been a better time to be a PA in America. I am honored and humbled to serve as AAPA president and Chair of the Board of Directors during a time when PAs are poised to lead innovation in healthcare that will bring about significant improvements in patient care,” Ogunfiditimi said.

“I am excited to support AAPA’s mission of advocating on behalf of the more than 168,300 PAs nationwide to ensure that PAs can practice to the fullest extent of their training, education, and experience. As a researcher and board-certified PA, I am confident that together we can make great strides during the coming year to improve our healthcare system and ensure that patients have access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”

Members of AAPA’s 2023-2024 Board of Directors are:

• President: Folusho Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA (Deland, Florida)
• President-elect: Jason Prevelige, MBA, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Fairfield, Connecticut)
• Vice President and Speaker of the House: Todd Pickard, MMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO (Houston, Texas)
• Secretary-Treasurer: Lauren G. Dobbs, MMS, PA-C (Aledo, Texas)
• Director-at-Large: David J. Bunnell, MSHS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Ellicott City, Maryland)
• Director/First Vice Speaker of the House: Leslie Clayton, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Maple Grove, Minnesota)
• Student Director: Kierra Gipson, PA-Student (Antioch, Tennessee)
• Director-at-Large: Eric P. Martinez, MPAS, PA-C (Houston, Texas)
• Director-at-Large: Deanna Bridge Najera, MPAS, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Mt. Airy, Maryland)
• Director-at-Large: Kris Pyles-Sweet DMSc, PA-C (Morganton, North Carolina)
• Director-at-Large: Ashton Ogle, MPAS, PA-C (Georgetown, Kentucky)
• Director/Second Vice Speaker of the House: Peggy Walsh Sheryka, MS, PA-C (Denver, Colorado)
• Chief Executive Officer: Lisa M. Gables, CPA (Clifton, Virginia)

To learn more about AAPA’s leadership team, visit aapa.org/bod.

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Media Contact: 

Josh Birch, 443.614.5896
Clare Moorman- Wolfe, 309.212.3088

About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
AAPA is the national membership organization for all physician associates/physician assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. PA has been named one of the best jobs overall and one of the best healthcare jobs for the sixth year in a row by U.S. News & World Report The PA profession ranked number three this year in Best STEM jobs. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org and engage through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.