Get to Know AAPA’s 2026 Social Media Ambassadors
January 8, 2026
AAPA is thrilled to welcome the 2026 AAPA Social Media Ambassadors as the program enters its second year! This group of physician associates (PAs) is dedicated to leveraging their voices online to share meaningful perspectives and champion the PA profession.
AAPA’s ambassadors reflect the breadth of the profession, bringing together PAs at various career stages, from early-career PAs to experienced clinicians with more than 20 years of practice. They represent a wide range of specialties, including cardiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, neurosurgery, oncology, and beyond, with roles spanning clinical care and research.
These ambassadors are dedicated to advocacy, mentorship, and leadership within the PA profession. They have a wide range of interests, from travel and fitness to cultural experiences and community involvement. Throughout the year, they’ll share updates on the profession, AAPA news, and important advocacy efforts.
Get to know the people behind this program and follow along as they highlight and amplify the voices of PAs nationwide!
Zoey is a PA practicing spinal surgery by day, and a content creator sharing real-life moments in NYC by night! She loves traveling, mornings in Central Park, spending time at home on the lake in Michigan, mentoring Pre-PAs, cooking vegetarian recipes, using her Cricut, and is a Peloton enthusiast.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
To me, being an AAPA ambassador means advocating for our amazing PA profession, representing it both inside and outside of the hospital, highlighting the power of our community, supporting patients through compassionate care, and celebrating being part of a strong organization that values work-life balance.
Fun Fact:
I’ve been to over 30 countries and counting!
Devon has been a PA since 2019 and works full time in telemedicine and travel psychiatry. She has a second PRN job working at a ski resort urgent care during the winter season. Outside of work, Devon loves staying active and being outdoors with activities like skiing, hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
It means being a visible and vocal advocate and representative of the PA profession. My goal is to shed knowledge on the unique areas of medicine that I work in (psychiatry and ski resort urgent care), and continue to learn and grow both professionally and personally.
Fun Fact:
I was awarded “Rural Physician Assistant of the Year” in 2024 by the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants.
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Kheira works as a PA in internal medicine, striving to build meaningful relationships with her patients. Outside of work, she loves hanging out with her son and husband, exploring new coffee shops, and watching reality TV.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA ambassador means using my voice to increase awareness of the value PAs bring to healthcare, and it means giving back to the profession that shaped my career by supporting, mentoring, and advocating for fellow PAs.
Fun Fact:
While waiting to get into PA school, I had a small food catering business, and my specialty was red velvet cheesecake bites!
Rebecca is a psychiatry PA, author, preceptor, speaker, and lecturer for multiple educational institutions. She is from Seattle and loves to spend her time boating or traveling the world.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA ambassador means actively representing PAs while fostering connections, strengthening our profession, and promoting the values, voice, and impact of PAs.
Fun Fact:
I have precepted over 60 students!
Jake has a passion for patient education and making medicine feel less intimidating. When he’s not in clinic, you can find him creating content, traveling, and making mediocre jokes.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA Ambassador means using my platform to advocate for PAs, amplify our profession, and make medicine more accessible, all while meeting some really cool people along the way!
Fun Fact:
I found my calling in dermatology after discovering a skin cancer spot on my mom while studying for PA school. Oh, and I’m obsessed with pickleball!
John has been working as an emergency medicine PA for the past seven years. In his free time, he enjoys videography and photography.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA Ambassador means helping to spread PA topics and the dedicated work of our profession to a broader audience.
Fun Fact:
I have a second undergraduate degree in French and have spent a substantial time learning the language. Back in 2015 I lived in France and was genuinely contemplating being an English teacher over there.
Aubrie is a dermatology PA and pre-PA mentor who is passionate about helping future PAs get into school and advocating for the PA profession. Outside of clinic, she enjoys traveling, photography, and using her platform to educate and empower the next generation of PAs!
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
To me, being an AAPA ambassador means proudly representing the PA profession, speaking up on our impact on healthcare, and helping pave the way for the next generation of PAs!
Fun Fact:
As much as I love being a PA, I love my life outside of medicine too—especially travel, which took me abroad for 7 months and across 15 countries, with Italy and Iceland as my favorites!
Viet is a preventive cardiology PA and an associate professor of research at Intermountain Health. He is a clinical trialist and educator who loves teaching and is serving as an adjunct faculty for two of Utah’s four PA programs.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
It means helping educate and elevate the public, legislators, administrators, and healthcare colleagues about the incredible contributions PAs make to research, education, and clinical care.
Fun Fact:
I’m the youngest of eight and the only first-generation U.S. citizen in my family. While all my siblings, born in Viet Nam, use the Americanized pronunciation of our last name, Le, as ‘Lee,’ I’ve chosen to keep the original Vietnamese pronunciation, ‘Lay.’
Alyssa is an ENT PA who is passionate about patient care, education, and advocacy for the PA profession. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, and creating lifestyle and day-in-the-life content that blends medicine with everyday life.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA ambassador means using my unique voice and social media platform to do my best to advocate for the PA profession. I strive to display stories about what PAs do and help connect pre-PA students with what PAs do. I love documenting leadership, education, and community and showing how much I love the profession by uplifting the profession with my fellow PAs and beyond!
Fun Fact:
I have an English bulldog named Marty and I am getting married this April!
Cassidy is a registered dietitian turned PA practicing motility gastroenterology in Wisconsin. She is passionate about sustainability and enjoys gardening, cooking, and thrifting.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an ambassador means I get the opportunity to raise awareness about everything our career has to offer and ways fellow PAs of all experience levels can get involved in our profession!
Fun Fact:
I taught kids cooking classes during summer breaks in undergrad!
Daniela is an emergency medicine PA based in South Florida, where she thrives in the fast-paced ED environment and enjoys learning something new on every shift. Outside of work, she is a mom to a 10-month-old baby boy, along with two cats and a dog, and loves spending time at the beach and playing soccer.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA ambassador means using my voice as a PA to advocate for our profession, connect and uplift fellow PAs, and help showcase the impact we make both in and outside the clinic.
Fun Fact:
Fun fact: I’m a gamer both on and off the field, I was the high school captain of my tennis / soccer teams, and at home I love playing games like Call of Duty, Super Smash Bros, Mario Party, Fortnite, etc.
Leila is a PA and healthcare content creator with a background in primary care. Her current focus is cosmetic dermatology, where she blends evidence-based medicine with patient education and aesthetics. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, creating lifestyle and educational content, and sharing moments from her life with her family.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA ambassador means using my voice and platform to authentically represent the PA profession, support and connect with the PA community, and advocate for education, growth, and visibility of our role in healthcare.
Fun Fact:
I can name all the U.S. presidents in order from memory!
Michele is an oncology PA and nationally recognized PA school admissions expert who is passionate about mentorship, advocacy, and professional growth within the PA community. Outside of medicine, she enjoys travel, family time, fostering dogs, and pursuing adventures that inspire balance and gratitude.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA Ambassador means serving as a visible advocate for the PA profession by educating, mentoring, and engaging with the community while representing AAPA’s mission, values, and commitment to advancing PAs and patient care.
Fun Fact:
I’m a sucker for rom-com books and fully believe every great story deserves a happy ending.
As a graduate of UC Berkeley’s Public Health program and new grad PA, Katharine is grounded in her belief of equal access to healthcare, acknowledging the tremendous influence social determinants of health have on communities. In her free time, she enjoys immersing herself in the outdoors, eating many different foods, exploring new countries, and mentoring Pre-PAs.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA Ambassador means being a part of the largest community of PAs. As a part of this community, I am committed to bringing awareness to the profession, honestly discussing my views of the difficulties of being a practitioner, and fostering collaboration between PAs and other healthcare providers.
Fun Fact:
In PA School, after I passed the hardest EOR exam (Internal Med) my friend and I decided to celebrate by getting tattoos. Definitely the wildest and most permanent way I celebrated passing exams!
Leslie has been a surgical PA in New York City since 2008. She currently specializes in neurosurgery as the chief PA at The Mount Sinai Health System. Leslie also practices anti-aging and brain wellness medicine. She is an exercise enthusiast and self-proclaimed biohacker.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Integrity, accountability, and proficiency are my core strengths as a PA. I am a proud representation of what a PA should be. We may all practice differently and in various specialties, but smart, reliable, flexible and passionate should be the standard. I want to be the face of what PAs should present to the healthcare and patient facing world.
Fun Fact:
I am a 6-foot 4-inch weightlifter!
Josh is a PA working in gastroenterology and hepatology outside of Indianapolis, IN. He is passionate about providing patients with the best care possible and educating and precepting future PAs. He, his wife, and their two sons enjoy hiking and exploring new places.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
Being an AAPA ambassador provides me with the opportunity to play my part not only in furthering this profession but more importantly in advocating for and educating the patients we serve every day.
Fun Fact:
I am an avid (read “obsessed”) pickleballer with average ability!
Bernard is a U.S. Diplomat and Foreign Service Medical Provider with the Department of State, with prior service as a White House Medical Unit officer and extensive leadership experience across military and global health settings. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family, learning languages and cultures, staying active, and exploring food, history, and museums around the world.
In Their Own Words on What It Means to be an AAPA Ambassador:
To me, being an AAPA ambassador means serving with humility and purpose—advocating for the PA profession, mentoring the next generation, and representing our shared values of service, excellence, and patient-centered care wherever I am called to serve.
Fun Fact:
I’ve lived in three countries, worked in five, and have visited more than 25 others, often planning trips around local food, museums, and history.
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LinkedIn
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