President - Robert S. Smith, MS, DHSc. PA-C, DFAAPA

Dr. Robert Smith, PA-C, lives in Lewisville, TX. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and as a Yeomen, Hospital Corpsman and Health Service Technician, while in the service he completed an undergraduate degree in science at the University of the State of New York (Excelsior College), Albany New York. He attended PA School at the University of California, Davis FNP/PA program. He completed a Master of Science from Arizona School of Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, and his Doctor of Health Science, from A.T. Still University Health Sciences, College of Graduate Health Studies, and has Graduate Certificate in Education, from ATSU as well. Dr. Smith most recently completed a certification program at Cornell University in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Dr. Smith, PA-C, has been a pioneer PA in most positions he has held, and has worked with many organizations, American Academy of PA’s (AAPA), Nation Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), PAs for Latino Health (PALH), Association of Family Practice PA’s & NP’s (AFPPANP), Texas Academy of PA’s (TAPA) and others, serving at all levels from fellow to President. He is published and speaks for various organizations. He has an appointment as a Clinical Instructor for the University of North Texas PA program and is an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for University of Texas, Arlington, FNP program. He has provided health care most of his career to underserved communities and populations in both rural and inner-city settings. He regularly precepts students in his clinic giving them an opportunity to learn how to provide care to the underserved communities of the DFW area in Texas, primarily in the Latinx Community.

President Elect - Kevin Salas, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, NRCME, CAOHC 

Mr. Salas is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Mr. Salas was born and Raised in Midland, Texas, He graduated from Lee High School in 1996, is married to Jessica Salas with three children and one grandbaby. Mr. Salas received his Paramedic License from Midland College in 2002, followed by his RN license in 2006 at Midland College, received his Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 2008, and his Master's Degree in Nursing in 2012 at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He also has credentials from the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners to perform DOT physicals. Mr. Salas is also certified in OSHA 1910 standards as well as OSHA standards for hearing conservation.

As a paramedic, Kevin began his career at Midland Memorial hospital in the Emergency Department. As a Registered Nurse, Kevin began his career with Medical Center Hospital as an ER nurse and progressed to Emergency Department Director. In 2009, Mr. Salas changed his career path and entered the field of Flight nursing with Care-star in Odessa, Texas. While working as a Flight Nurse Mr. Salas worked towards obtaining his Master from Texas Tech with an emphasis in Family Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Salas has a total of 15 years of medical experience specialized in emergency and trauma. He also holds certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support, Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Provider, Nationally Registered Certified Medical Examiner. Outside of work Mr. Salas enjoys coaching his daughters in softball, playing golf and spending as much time as he can with his family.

Immediate Past President- Ken Korber, PA, DFAAPA

Ken Korber is a Physician Assistant, clinically trained in cardiology and vascular surgery. He is a certified Hypertension Clinical Specialist and was inducted as an AAPA Distinguished Fellow in 2016. He is published in the medical & surgical peer-reviewed literature since 1984, holds faculty appointments within several academic medical centers, and speaks on a variety of clinical and patient education topics at national, and international scientific venues. In addition to his clinical activities, Korber is a published children's book author and is the Chief Learning Officer at the Center for Functional Education & Leadership.

Secretary - Ashley Gonzalez: Bio and Pic to come

Treasurer - Lori Jo Slavick, PA-C

Lori Jo Slavick is a PA-C at Franklin Family Services. Ms. Slavick is a is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy Physician Assistant Program. She is a Past President of the Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants. (AFPPA).  Ms. Slavick was brought to Maryland with her new husband and had worked in the Maryland Prison for 5 years in general medicine and psychiatry. 

Ms. Slavick had been working at St John Detroit Riverview Hospital, an underserved hospital in Detroit. She was Lead Physician Assistant for the practice of Leonard Ellison in Southfield, Michigan. Ms. Slavick feels compelled to help the indigent population because they are the ones in need of the most medical services. She has run numerous workshops on depression, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, computers, and thoroughly enjoys mentoring PA students. She was also speaker coordinator for the AFPPA conferences and has written grants for their funding 

In 2002, she received the William Montgomery Community Service Award. In 2003, she lobbied with the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants to make elected officials more aware of the PA profession and its positive contribution to the health care system. 

She is married and has 2 sons. Her husband Stephen is supportive of all her endeavors.

PA Member at Large- Beth Buyea, PA-C

​Beth Buyea has been a practicing PA since 2002. Her clinical focus has been in Family Medicine, adolescent care and most recently Primary Care. She currently serves as the Program Director for the Tufts University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program and continues to work as a PA for Brigham and Women’s Primary Care. 

NP Member at Large - Sonia Rupani, DMS, MS, PA-C, AE-C

Dr. Rupani is a licensed PA since 2010. She is the Director of Clinical Education for the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at the Lincoln Memorial University. Her clinical practice experience includes Primary Care and Acute/urgent care. She earned a Doctor of Medical Science in Clinical Medicine with distinction in Primary Care and is the second PA in Tennessee to get certified as an Asthma Educator by the NAECB. She enjoys teaching and is passionate about educating the future generation of PAs. She has been a speaker at several local and national CME conferences. She has received many awards including, Valedictorian of the PA class (2010), a nomination for the Clinician of the Year (2015), Clinician of the Month -Pharmacy Times Magazine (2016), Alpha-Chi award (2017-2019), and DMS Advocate Award (2019). She enjoys spending her free time with her family-her husband, and two lovely daughters.

PA Student Rep - Ethan Pugel 

Ethan is a PA student at The University of North Texas Health Science Center that is expected to graduate in February 2023. He received a bachelor of science with high distinction in biological sciences from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and was one of 41 students in his graduating class to be recognized as a Chancellor’s Scholar. He previously served as the treasurer for his program’s PA student association. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife (who is also in his program) and pets.