Dedicated Physician Assistant with a passion for patient care and education, I bring a wealth of experience from my background as an Army Medic and my role as Program Director of Stephens College Physician Assistant program. I believe in the importance of mentorship and strive to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals through hands-on training and a focus on compassionate care. My mission is to bridge the gap between clinical practice and education, equipping students with the skills they need to excel in their careers. I earned my B.S. in biology from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Missouri State University, and a Doctorate of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. I have worked as a physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital since 2007. As Program Director and Associate professor I teach courses in Anatomy, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Skills, Case-Based Medicine, Leadership, Healthcare Administration, and Professional Practice. I am an active member in several professional organizations to include: MOAPA, AAPA, AAPA Veterans Caucus and VPAA. My research interests are advancing physician assistants in leadership and management opportunities as well as physician assistants in the uniformed services and veterans.I am also the Director at Large for the Mid-Missouri MOAPA region advocating for PAs in Missouri.