On-Ramp to Advocacy

Are you fired up about the many issues facing the PA profession but not sure where to begin with getting involved and making an impact? There are many paths to advocacy! These opportunities can be personally fulfilling and help you grow your network with other PAs having similar interests and passions.

Learn more about how students and early career PAs can start on the path to advocacy. Plus, our speakers will share how their personal experiences with grassroots involvement shaped their lives and careers.

Speakers

Click on a name to learn more about the speaker.

Kristin Butterfield, MA

Cooper Couch, PA-C

Camille J. Dyer, MS, PA-C, AACC, DFAAPA

Matthew Mancini, PA-C

Kristin Butterfield, MA

AAPA Director, Grassroots and Political Advocacy

Kristin Butterfield is the Director of Grassroots and Political Advocacy at AAPA, where she creates, implements, and oversees advocacy and political initiatives on behalf of the PA profession and patients PAs serve. Kristin has been a grassroots advocacy professional for more than 25 years. Prior to joining AAPA, Kristin was a federal affairs lobbyist for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and was Associate Director of Grassroots Operations and Political Education at the American Bankers Association. Kristin holds a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and an M.A. from the George Washington University.

Cooper Couch, PA-C

Cooper Couch practices in family medicine at Valley-Wide Health Systems, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Colorado. Cooper believes healthcare is a human right and is a strong advocate for the uninsured and underinsured at the state and national levels. He currently serves the Colorado Academy of PAs as Vice President, delegate to the AAPA House of Delegates, and chair of the Judicial Affairs Committee. He also serves as a member of the LBGT PA Caucus Speakers Bureau and presents on sexual and gender diverse health at CME conferences and PA programs. He has previously served in numerous local, state, and national leadership positions, including as the 2019-20 Student Director on the AAPA Board of Directors and president of the Student Academy of AAPA. He graduated with honors from the Primary Care Physician Assistant Program at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Camille J. Dyer, MS, PA-C, AACC, DFAAPA

President, African Heritage Physician Assistant Caucus

Camille Dyer practices in cardiology care. She has been a leader in the New Jersey State Society of PAs (NJSSPA) and served most recently as the President of the African Heritage Physician Assistant Caucus. Camille is passionate about the promotion of the PA profession and the engagement and involvement of Pre-PA and PA students.

Matthew Mancini, PA-C

One Medical

Matt Mancini is a graduate of Quinnipiac University’s PA program Class of 2016. As a PA student, Matt served on the Student Academy of AAPA board of directors for two years. He also completed a PAEA Student Health Policy Fellowship. Matt served on the board of directors for his constituent organizations in Connecticut and Washington, D.C. while practicing in those locations. Matt also has a passion for student and early career PA involvement and mentorship. He serves as a chair for the Society of Early Career PAs. He has been involved in multiple AAPA volunteer groups and commissions, and now serves on the Early Career PA Commission. Matt has been practicing primary care since becoming a PA, first in his home state of Connecticut, then in Washington D.C., and now in New York City. He sees patients for acute and chronic conditions, as well as overall wellness, at One Medical.