2018 NAPA Board Member Elections Results!
Posted over 5 years ago by My PA Admin
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President-Elect:
Maryanne Kidwell, Las Vegas -
Secretary:
Tabitha Miller, Las Vegas -
HOD:
Jay Somers, Las Vegas -
Southern Nevada Rep:
Phil Tobin, Las Vegas -
Northern Nevada Rep:
Shana Fearnley, Reno
Maryanne Kidwell PA-C
President Elect
Dear Fellow Physician Assistants,
I’m running for the President Elect position for our organization because this is the time for our profession to be more assertive in this great state. I’m willing to put in the time and effort to really make a difference for all of us.
Just a little bit about me. I have an extensive medical background, beginning with 11 years of military service in the U.S Army as a combat medic and in the National Guard as a Physician Assistant. I have been a resident and provider in our state for the last 14 years of my 18 years of experience. My PA experience is broad, with positions in Neurology, Community Medicine, Family Practice and most recently Urgent Care. I am also a PA educator and work first hand in shaping future Physician Assistants. Recently, I was promoted to the position of Director of Academic Education for our PA program, a position that takes a tremendous amount of responsibility and confidence to perform. I am also the current Southern Nevada Junior Director at Large for NAPA, having been elected 2 years ago to help advance the rights of PA’s in our great state.
There are several initiatives that I feel are essential for the evolution of our profession. First, I feel that we as PA’s need to pass legislation that reduces restrictions to PA practice, and reduces work burdens for our supervising physicians. I am finding that the more restrictions in place for our supervising physicians, the less likely they are to continue to supervise or hire PAs. This is an issue for all of us who are currently practicing as well as those new PA’s in our state. Physicians are starting to refuse to supervise us due to the additional work load and legal liabilities placed upon them by cumbersome supervisory laws. I am a full supporter of OTP or optimal team practice, which would remove these restrictions and move us towards a corroborative agreement. The advancement of OTP through the Nevada Legislature will in turn, help advance our profession in this state.
Second, we are currently without a governing board that is made up of our own. This needs to change and we need to fight for our own board, run by PA’s FOR PA’s.
Third, and I feel the most important, is the issue of legislative autonomy for experienced PA’s. In order for our profession to remain competitive in this state, we need to fight for this. Nevada is extremely short on primary care providers and autonomous practice would not only benefit our profession, but those individuals that are a vital part of what we do. Currently there is an average 6 week wait for primary care appointments. This needs to change so that we as PA’s can rise to our full potential and fully serve those in our communities. This can be a very exciting and progressive period for PA’s in the state, and I want to be a vital part of this process.
I feel that I have the experience and the passion to fight for our profession and the issues that are important to our practice. Please elect me as your future President so that I can be your voice when it comes to Physician Assistant issues in our state. I most sincerely thank you for your vote and consideration.
Secretary
Tabitha Miller was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She attended Brigham Young University, where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Minor in Business Marketing. She then attended PA School at Touro University Nevada. While in school, Tabitha served as president of Physician Assistant Student Government Association (PASGA).
Tabitha has now been practicing for over 7 years, with experience in pediatric orthopedics, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. She currently works as an Assistant Professor at Touro University Nevada. She is excited to be serving as the NAPA secretary and looks forward to being more closely involved with the PA community in Nevada.
Tabitha and her husband Tyson have 3 children. She spends most of her free time cheering on her kids at soccer games, football games, dance recitals and cheer competitions. She loves to travel, and her favorite vacations spots are anywhere that have a warm beach!
HOD
Jay Somers is running for the position of NAPA Delegate to the AAPA HOD.
I has served in this position several times for the NAPA and I really enjoy bringing national information back to Nevada. Important discussions are happening on a national level as we set our policy and positions on issues that significantly impact the PA profession. I would like to continue to support Nevada PAs as HOD delegate. Thank you for your consideration.
S. Nevada Director at Large
Director, School of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Health and Human Services, Touro University Nevada and Professor. He also practices as a PA at the Stallman-Touro Clinic located within The Shade Tree women’s shelter. He is also a Board Trustee for The Shade Tree, a nonprofit for homeless and domestically abused women and children. Dr. Tobin is on the advisory board for Morehouse Medical School’s PA program, an HBCU.
Prior to joining Touro in April 2016, Dr. Tobin served as the Director of the Mercer University Physician Assistant Program and Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies for four years. Before that he was faculty for six years in the physician assistant program at Harding University. He holds a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska and a Doctorate in Health Sciences from Nova Southeastern University. He is a past president of the Arkansas Academy of Physician Assistants. Dr. Tobin is a retired Air Force officer of 22 years 8 Months, with his last assignment as the Deputy Branch Chief of the Radio Frequency Bioeffects Branch of the Air Force Research Lab. He has been involved in clinical practice for over 23 years in various disciplines from family practice to emergency medicine. His research focus is directed toward innovative PA education, homeless outreach and stopping human trafficking. He is married with five children ranging from 31 to 7, three grandchildren, two dogs and one old orange cat.
N. Nevada Director at Large
My name is Shana Fearnley. I have been a practicing PA for 18 years. I have worked in Orthopedics for 18 years, 16 here in Northern Nevada. I have been an AAPA member for over 18 years and a NAPA member for 3 years. I am currently the Member at Large for Northern Nevada and on the Membership Committee. I am also a member of the Washoe County Medical Society and on the membership committee on the WCMS.
I am excited to become more involved in the growth and sustainability of the PAs in Nevada. Currently we have a little over 300 members of NAPA. Gaining new members is imperative to PAs in Nevada. By gaining new members we will gain more of a voice as we discuss vital issues with State leaders and law makers. I am excited to continue to work with other members of NAPA agenda to keep PA regulations at the practice level.
As Member at Large, I will continue to address concerns from fellow PAs and to build the NAPA membership, as well as continue to work with other members to improve our presence with State leaders. I hope to help with the modernization of membership programs, networking with our member’s legislative support and CME opportunities. Please join me in these efforts by voting for me for Member at Large- Northern Nevada.