SPAP Board of Directors Election 2018-2019

Please indicate your choice for each position

1. President Elect

Courtney Bishop

Why are you applying for this position?

I first joined SPAP while I was a student in PA school, eager to find a way to continue to be involved in the lives of children and hoping for a career in pediatrics after years of being a swim instructor and coach. I am now applying for the position of President-Elect because, after six years of service on SPAP’s Board of Directors, I would like to have the opportunity to continue to be involved in this wonderful organization, and advocate for other PAs who also have a passion for the pediatric field of medicine. I have had the pleasure of working with many other motivated and wonderful individuals on SPAP’s Board and I plan to use the experience I have gained from being on the Board while finding novel ideas and perspectives to help SPAP continue to grow and be a strong voice to support PAs who work in pediatrics. I believe I can be a strong leader for SPAP and represent the members while continuing to increase communication and exposure of our organization.

What are your qualifications for this position?

I have been an active member of SPAP’s Board since 2012, having served as both Student Representative and Secretary. I have had the opportunity to see SPAP over the past few years and understand both where our organization has been and how it can continue to develop. As SPAP’s Secretary I have organized and put out our monthly newsletters and have been a speaker at the 2016 and 2017 CME Conferences. Additionally, I represented SPAP at the NCCPA’s Mental Health Summit in 2017 and helped be a voice for our organization in the development of PA policy. I work at a pediatric hospital and am an active member in our Advanced Healthcare Provider Council where I serve as a representative for PAs. In this role I have assisted with advocacy and service in our community and have helped organize an annual CME conference for NPs and PAs at our hospital and surrounding areas. I am a proven leader with excellent communication skills and I am eager to continue to work with SPAP as President Elect.

2. Member At Large

Adam L. Schwartz, MMS, PA-C

Why are you applying for this position?

Represent, act in care and loyalty of this organization. Provide any expertise and/or advise as requested. To serve as a representative and gain a wider recognition in the community of the importance of the specialty of allergy asthma and immunology.

What are your qualifications for this position?

Certified Physician Assistant of 11years with a Masters. Clinically active in a multi-specialty group of Allergy/Immunology, Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine with a a strong foundation of family/internal medicine. Fellow member of AAPA and ASAPA. Mentor and educator of students. Social interaction is strong.
Brent Smith

Why are you applying for this position?

I have been a member of SPAP or a number of years and would like to become more involved. In the past I was a student representative to the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants and enjoyed my time serving as such. I would like to see SPAP grow like other such organizations have and would like to help make that happen.

What are your qualifications for this position?

I am a general practice PA in Columbus, GA and have worked in pediatrics since graduation in 2006. I hold a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Pediatrics from the NCCPA (2014). I am on staff at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and chair the Pediatric Preparedness Committee and serve on the Pediatric Quality and Pediatric Concussion committees. Currently I am a Co-Trainer for the national Pediatric Readiness Quality Collaborative that is coordinated by Emergency Medical Services or Children where we train other hospitals on pediatric emergency topics. I also severed on the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants board of directors as a student representative from Emory University from 2004-2006.
Tara Harkins

Why are you applying for this position?

I am applying for this position because I have enjoyed my time working with SPAP to date and would like to continue serving SPAP as a member-at-large. My past term as a member-at-large has allowed me to become more active within the organization as well as within the nationwide community of PAs. My goals during my first term on the board were to help out wherever was needed and to become more familiar with the internal structure and workings of the organization. I would like to have a second term as a member-at-large to continue working on projects that advance the positon for PAs in pediatrics and advocate for pediatric patients. I would also like to take on more responsibility and become further invested in the organization.

What are your qualifications for this positions?

My qualifications for this position include my previous term as a member-at-large as well as being an active member of my PA community within the workplace at Texas Children’s Hospital. Having served in this position previously, I have been able to become more acquainted with the internal workings of SPAP as well as the future projects and direction the organization. Also, being two years out of PA school and working in a pediatric setting has allowed me to stay up to date with current pediatric issues as well as potential future topics the organization can address.

3. Student Representative

Kelli Griffiths

Why are you applying for this position?

The first time I shadowed in the area of pediatrics, I knew I had come across something special, something powerful, something that I wanted to be a part of. I had known for some time that I was interested in pediatrics. I loved working with children and had been doing so for a while throughout school working at summer camps, volunteering at a kindergarten during my first year of college, and coaching youth soccer throughout high school and college. I enjoyed working with children, teaching them, watching them learn and grow. It was a great feeling to teach one of my players a new soccer skill and then watch them use that skill in a game and have a big smile on their face when they did it right. It is an amazing feeling that comes over you when a child smiles, a feeling of confirmation that this is what I am supposed to be doing, this is my passion. My first shadowing experience in pediatrics was alongside a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon and a physician assistant. After a surgery one day, I followed them as they went to tell a family that the procedure on their daughter, who had a congenital heart defect, had been successful. The joy that came across the parents’ faces and the relief and the thanks that they gave the surgical team, was indescribable. A few days after the procedure, I went with the PA as she checked on the patient to see how she was doing post-op. We went into the room and I stood back and just watched as the parents again thanked her and the little girl sat in her bed full of giggles and smiles. Seeing that smile brought all those feelings over me again and I knew then, this is what I need to be doing. Now, I am at the end of my first year in PA school and my goal is still to follow my passion and work in pediatrics. I am applying to this position because I want to share that passion with other students about the amazing specialty of pediatrics. I want to perhaps even help others to find their passion in pediatrics. I am applying to this position because I hope to reach out to other students and help spread awareness about the SPAP organization. I agree with and appreciate the mission of the organization to improve the health care of children by supporting physician/PA teams and its dedication to the well being of children. I also want to stay as up to date as possible on the specialty of pediatrics and get involved and have the opportunity to network with others who share my passion.

What are your qualifications for this position?

In college, I had several volunteer experiences that involved working with children. I volunteered in a kindergarten classroom at a local school. I also volunteered at the local hospital near the university in the children’s department playing games with the children in the waiting room. In addition, I coached youth soccer throughout high school and college. I have worked with children for quite some time and enjoyed it thoroughly. I also shadowed in pediatric cardiovascular surgery in college which furthered my passion for pediatrics. Prior to PA school, I worked as a care assistant in the surgical recovery room at a Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, FL. I am now currently finishing my first year in PA school at Barry University in Miami, Florida. I am a member of AAPA, SPAP, and FAPA. I would love the opportunity to get further involved with SPAP as a student rep.
Kendra Glassman

Why are you applying for this position?

I previously worked as a neonatal and pediatric GI dietitian. I would like to work in similar fields when I graduate. I have held previous leadership positions as a dietitian and I want to continue to do so as a physician assistant. i also want to become more involved in this society and I think holding a leadership role will help me do so.

What are your qualifications for this position?

I have held previous leadership positions as a dietitian to include president of Student Dietetic Association, membership chair for San Antonio Dietetic Association, AOR chair for AAPA for my school, and Colorado Dietetic Association membership chair to name a few.
Chiena Levine

Why are you applying for this position?

I am applying for the position of Student Rep in the hope that I can make a positive contribution and take an active role in the Pediatric PA profession. In this role I aspire to lend perspective and advocate on behalf of PAs and their patients.

What are your qualifications for this position?

As a second year PA student with an interest in pediatrics, I am sincere, motivated and invested in SPAP and the role of PAs in the pediatric setting. I am a team player with good listening capabilities and the ability to take the perspective of others.

4. Secretary
If you wish to join the Board in this capacity, please write your name in the box.

Option 1