Get to Know AAPA’s 2024–2025 Social Media Ambassadors
September 16, 2024
AAPA is excited to introduce AAPA’s 2024-2025 Social Media Ambassadors! These PAs are passionate about sharing valuable insights and advocating for the profession.
AAPA’s ambassadors represent a diverse group of PAs with experience ranging from new graduates to seasoned professionals with more than two decades of practice. They come from a variety of specialties, including cardiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, oncology, and more; and their roles span both clinical and research roles.
When asked to reflect on what being an ambassador means to them, AAPA’s ambassadors describe it as embodying the values and mission of the PA profession. Others describe it as being a representative for advancing the role of PAs in healthcare. The ambassadors see themselves as advocates, not only for their fellow colleagues but for the future of the profession. They embrace their role in elevating public awareness, engaging with healthcare colleagues, and supporting professional development. The group is proud to be part of a movement that promotes the importance of PAs in improving patient care. For these ambassadors, the role is also about creating meaningful connections and fostering collaboration, all while striving to make a positive impact in both their communities and the broader healthcare system.
Collectively, these ambassadors embody a commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and leadership within the PA profession. They have passions for travel, fitness, cultural experiences and community impact. Throughout the year, they’ll be your go-to source for the latest profession updates, AAPA news, and PA advocacy.
Get to know the individuals behind this program and follow along as they amplify the voices of PAs nationwide!
Zoey Ammon, PA-C
Zoey Ammon works in spine surgery in New York City. In her free time, she loves creating content, mentoring Pre-PA students, traveling, spending mornings in Central Park, cooking vegetarian dishes, exploring NYC, enjoying time on the lake back home in Michigan, and is a Peloton class enthusiast.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
To me, “PAs Go Beyond” means being a compassionate and reliable presence for patients during their most challenging and uplifting times, while also passionately advocating for our profession. It’s about raising awareness of the diverse and impactful roles PAs play, forging deep connections, and exploring opportunities that extend beyond traditional expectations to enhance patient care and professional growth.
Fun Fact:
I’ve been to over 30 countries and counting!
Kheira Bettir, PA-C
Kheira Bettir is currently an internal medicine PA-C practicing in sunny southern California. When she’s not busy in the clinic, can be caught with her with her nose in a good romance novel or watching the sunset at the beach.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
Going beyond to me means taking the extra step to achieve something of greater and that’s what I strive for daily in my job.
Fun Fact:
Before PA school, I used to have a small catering business for fun and I would bake my heart out!
James Diamantopoulos, PA-C
As a dedicated dermatology PA with a passion for making medicine both informative and entertaining, James Diamantopoulos likes to use his video platform to blend professional insights with a lighthearted touch. When he’s not tackling medical challenges, he enjoys exploring the world with his wife and friends, sharing laughs, playing tennis and pickleball, and documenting his personal journey with a dash of humor.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
Going beyond means exceeding expectations by proactively creating meaningful connections, sharing valuable insights, and driving positive change in the field of physician assistants.
Fun Fact:
I was honored to be elected as the speaker for our White Coat Ceremony, where I delivered a speech encouraging students to embrace the unknown and take bold risks, because we know more than we think we do. It was an inspiring experience to motivate future healthcare professionals to step confidently into their journeys!
John Elkhoury, PA-C
John Elkhoury grew up in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, which is filled with nature, and he now enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife. When he’s not in a busy ER, he looks forward to his next vacation at a new destination.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
Going beyond means making a human connection in their work or tirelessly advocating for a patient’s betterment.
Fun Fact:
I speak French fluently and used to live in France teaching English. Yes, I spent a few summers interning at a Parisian hair salon.
Follow on:
Youtube
Aubrie Jones, PA-C, MMS
Aubrie Jones is a dedicated dermatology PA based in Southern California with a passion for mentoring pre-physician assistant students. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys exploring national parks on road trips and cherishing time with her family.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
Going beyond means exceeding expectations with unwavering commitment and genuine intentions, continually pushing past the expected limits without hesitation.
Fun Fact:
Having visited 25 national parks, 25 states, and 21 countries, I’m far from done; my travel passion, inherited from my Grammie, drives me to keep exploring without pause.
Viet Trung Le, PA-C, DMSc, MPAS, FACC, FAHA, HF-Cert
Viet Le is a Preventive Cardiology PA and an associate professor of research at Intermountain Health. He is a clinical trialist, clinician, and loves teaching. He currently serves as adjunct faculty for two of the four PA programs in Utah.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
We go beyond whenever we expand our reach, actions, and influence to improve the world around us, whether in medicine and healthcare or in other ways.
Fun Fact:
I learned to speak, read, and write Vietnamese at the age of 19 as I prepared to serve a proselyting religious two-year mission. The first six months of letters that I wrote in Vietnamese to my mother, a former teacher in Viet Nam, were “graded” and a few came back to me with red pen corrections.
Alyssa Lloret, PA-C
Alyssa Lloret graduated from PA school in December 2023, moved to Washington, DC in January 2024, and started her career as an ENT PA-C in Rockville, MD. In her spare time, she loves mentoring pre-PA students, training for half marathons, and reading!
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
Going beyond means when given the opportunity, always electing to pick up the pace at the end of a long race.
Fun Fact:
I was on the Wake Forest dance team! Go Deacs!
Cassidy McCandless, PA-C, MS, MPAS, RD
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Cassidy is a PA with a passion for nutrition who works in gastroenterology at a quaternary care hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, cooking, and gardening.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
Going beyond encompasses providing judgement-free, high quality medical care while also fostering an environment of communication and trust.
Fun Fact:
I am a twin!
Daniela Mendes, PA-C
Daniela Mendes was born and raised in south Florida and is a certified PA working in the emergency department. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her friends and family, go to the beach, garden, and eat some delicious food!
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
In the context of being a PA, going beyond means not only fulfilling the standard responsibilities of patient care but also actively seeking opportunities for professional growth, advocating for patients’ needs, and contributing to the advancement of the PA field.
Fun Fact:
Before PA school, I participated in medical mission trips, and now as a PA, I’m excited to one day return to missions to make an even greater impact on global healthcare!
Leila Nabavi, PA-C
Leila Nabavi graduated from Dominican University of California in 2022 and has since been a Primary Care PA for her San Francisco Bay Area community. When she’s not in the clinic, she spends her time staying active, traveling to new cities, and getting lost in a good mystery novel.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
To “go beyond” is push past the boundaries that were expected of you in order to achieve new levels of excellence or achievement.
Fun Fact:
I can name all the U.S. presidents in order from memory.
Michele Neskey, PA-C, MMSC
Michele Neskey is an oncology PA and PA School Admissions Expert, owner of the Posh PA. Outside of work, she loves to hang with her dogs, dance, and go to the beach.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
To do things because you love to serve, not for personal gain.
Fun Fact:
I love to fix and build things at home!
Katharine Sanchez, PA-C, MPAS, RD
As a graduate of UC Berkeley’s Public Health program, Katharine Sanchez is grounded in her beliefs of equal access to healthcare, acknowledging the tremendous influence the Social Determinants of Health play on both the individuals and the community and thus has focused her PA studies on whole person healthcare. In her free time outside of being a PA student, she likes to throw herself into the outdoors as much as she can, traveling to new places both within the U.S. and internationally, as well as spend time mentoring/guiding Pre-PA Students on their journey to PA-C.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
Going beyond for me means pushing past the uncomfortable, the unknown and finding ways to challenge oneself in order to achieve growth for both you and the greater community.
Fun Fact:
In my clinical year of PA School I had 5 of my rotations in O’ahu, HI. While there I had the opportunity to Island hop to Maui to visit Haleakalā̄ National Park to watch the sunrise at the Hawaiian “House of the Sun”. A truly remarkable experience above the clouds and one of the top sunrise spots in the world.
Bernard Toney Jr., PA-C, DMSc, MPH, CPH
Bernard Toney is a dedicated PA and former U.S. Army Officer with more than two decades of experience, having served as a White House Medical Unit Medical Officer and currently serving as a U.S. Diplomat and Foreign Service Medical Provider. He’s passionate about education, leadership, and making a difference while also enjoying the rich experiences that come with travel, culture, and culinary adventures around the world with his family.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to Go Beyond:
To go beyond means stepping into your full potential, breaking barriers, and creating a legacy that resonates and inspires far beyond what you ever imagined.
Fun Fact:
I’ve lived in three countries and visited 23 others.
Follow on:
LinkedIn
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