Pauline Bulala is a first-year PA student pursuing her Master of PA Practice at Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Originally from the Philippines, she grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by her mother, a registered nurse.

Bulala previously served as the Communications Coordinator of the North Carolina Academy of PAs (NCAPA). She has been highly involved in PA advocacy efforts such as meeting with lawmakers in North Carolina to champion enhanced PA practice laws in the state, assisting in the planning of NCAPA’s PA Day at the Legislature, serving as a liaison for the NCAPA Endowment Fundraising committee and the NCAPA Health Committee, and keeping members updated on policy that affects both PA practice and patient care.

Her clinical experience includes being a certified nurse aide and lead medical assistant at a fertility and women’s health clinic. She has volunteered in emergency departments, partnered with local nonprofits to serve underserved populations, and has worked at a free and charitable clinic serving uninsured adults in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her past roles showcase her passion for uniting teams, crafting strategic communications, and driving meaningful change, with a goal to continue advocating for her peers, her future patients, and the PA profession.

Amanda Gallagher attends Augsburg University’s PA Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up north of Minneapolis in a rural community where her passion for advocacy started at a young age, writing to city council at just eight years old to advocate for an improved emergency alert system. Before PA school, she was a mental health coordinator in an emergency department, an experience that inspired her to pursue a career in medicine and promote health equity for underserved populations.

Gallagher enjoys her active role on Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates’ (MAPA) Student Relations Board and volunteering at a hospital in Minneapolis. Gallagher is looking forward to her upcoming clinical rotations and to continuing to build relationships within the healthcare community.

Ashley Gance is a dedicated PA student at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, with a strong commitment to advancing equitable and accessible healthcare in underserved communities. She previously earned her Bachelor of Science in integrative neuroscience with a minor in dance from Binghamton University.

Gance currently serves as the State Chapter Student Representative (SCSR) for the Upstate Medical PA Program Class of 2026 and was recently elected as one of the Student Directors for the New York State Society of Physician Associates (NYSSPA).

Driven by a passion for advocacy, service, and the advancement of the PA profession, Gance has demonstrated strong leadership throughout her academic career. She organized the first-ever student delegation from her program to attend the NYSSPA state conference, helping peers gain firsthand experience in legislative advocacy and professional development. She also creates monthly NYSSPA newsletters tailored to her PA program, highlighting state news, events, and advocacy opportunities. In addition, Gance coordinates student participation in monthly district meetings, fostering connections with practicing PAs and staying informed on current trends and challenges in the medical field.

Salma Ruiz Sandoval is a third-year PA student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a Hispanic-serving institution near the Texas-Mexico border. She has been deeply engaged in PA advocacy, first serving as her program’s Student Academy Representative (SAR) where she expanded student involvement in national and state leadership opportunities. Ruiz Sandoval went on to represent her peers as a 2024–2025 AAPA HOD student delegate, authoring a tuberculosis screening resolution adopted by AAPA, and has advocated with TAPA at the Texas Capitol in support of the PA Compact and CII prescription authority bills. She is now serving a second term as student delegate through June 2026.

Beyond her delegate role, Ruiz Sandoval serves as Clinical Affairs Officer for the PALH Student Alliance and mentors pre-PA students. She is also among the few PA members of the Osmosis Health Leadership Initiative (OHLI), where she works to elevate PA visibility and engagement. Her professional interests center on advocacy, mentorship, and health equity, with a vision of empowering students and future healthcare leaders while advancing the PA profession at every level.

Emily Sun is a first-generation Asian American PA student completing her clinical year at Keck Graduate Institute in Claremont, California. Growing up in an ethnic enclave of Los Angeles and serving as a longtime caregiver for her mother, she developed a deep understanding of how culture, policy, and access shape patient health outcomes. She studied molecular and developmental biology at UCLA, where she also explored health disparities through the Asian American Studies department. Before PA school, Sun gained clinical experience as a medical assistant and scribe in both primary and critical care settings within her local community. These early experiences inspired her to pursue medicine while championing systemic change to improve outcomes for underserved communities like her own.

Sun has served as her program’s CAPA student representative and was selected as a PAEA Health Policy Fellow. In these roles, she engaged directly with local and state policymakers on issues such as loan accessibility and professional advancement for PAs. She also spearheaded mentorship initiatives for pre-PA students, working to expand pipeline opportunities for future PAs from underrepresented backgrounds. Now, the opportunity to attend AAPA’s Leadership and Advocacy Summit will allow her to engage with advocacy on a national scale.

Upon graduating, Sun hopes to work in a surgical subspecialty that blends inpatient, outpatient, and operating room care. She aspires to pair clinical practice with continued advocacy and mentorship, serving as a leader at the intersection of patient care, policy, and community empowerment.