AAPA Announces 45 New Distinguished Fellows

Fellows Are Recognized for Their Dedication, Professional Achievements

June 24, 2025

This year, AAPA is pleased to welcome 45 physician associates to join the ranks of the Distinguished Fellows (DFAAPA) Program. Recognized for their commitment to advancing the PA profession and the health of their communities, Distinguished Fellows are the association’s most dedicated members. The 2025 Distinguished Fellows have gone above and beyond for their practices, their patients, and the profession.

AAPA established the Distinguished Fellow program in 2007 in order to recognize PAs’ exceptional contributions to the profession through professional achievement, leadership, professional interaction, learning, and community service. Fewer than two percent of the entire AAPA membership have earned the distinction of Distinguished Fellow.

This year’s members earned the achievement from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. On behalf of AAPA and all of our members, congratulations to the newest Distinguished Fellows:

• Alyssa Abebe, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Pennsylvania)
• Paul Allen Sr., MSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Texas)
• Andrea Applegate, PA-C, DFAAPA (Missouri)
• Robert Baeten II, DMSc, PA-C, FCCP, DFAAPA (Georgia)
• Melissa Bowlby, PA-C, DFAAPA (Ohio)
• Danielle Brown, PA-C, DFAAPA (Pennsylvania)
• Robert Cafone, PA-C, DFAAPA (New Jersey)
• Erin Chalmers, DMSc, MSPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Kentucky)
• Maye Chan, PA-C, DFAAPA (Minnesota)
• Paul Coleman, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Pennsylvania)
• Derok Cornwell, PA-C, CPAAPA, CAQ-OS, DFAAPA (Alabama)
• Trew Deckard, PA-C, DFAAPA (Texas)
• Ryan Desgrange, PA-C, DFAAPA (Michigan)
• Nicole Dettmann, PA-C, DFAAPA (Massachusetts)
• Dennis Dey, MBBS, MBA, MA, PA-C, MPAS, DMSc, CCHP, DFAAPA (Texas)
• Amanda Di Piazza, PA-C, DFAAPA (New Jersey)
• Chasity Falls, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Michigan)
• Jodi Flynn, PA-C, DFAAPA (Colorado)
• Katherine Footracer, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA (California)
• Jodi Freeman, PA-C, DFAAPA (Pennsylvania)
• Adam Gonzalez, PA-C, DFAAPA (New York)
• Janna Harris, FAPACVS, DFAAPA (Pennsylvania)
• Tracy Karinen, PA-C, DFAAPA (Michigan)
• Travis Kirby, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Virginia)
• Darcie Larimore-Arenas, PA-C, MSPAS, MPH, DFAAPA (California)
• Michelle Loader, PA-C, DFAAPA (Colorado)
• Shaun Lynch, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Virginia)
• Shaina Mathews, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Texas)
• Diana Mendoza, DMS, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Texas)
• Angela Meredith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (North Carolina)
• Joshua Merson, DMSc, MS-HPEd, PA-C, DFAAPA (Massachusetts)
• Joy Moverley, MPH, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (California)
• Adam Olsen, DMSc, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Connecticut)
• Alex Pierce, PA-C, DFAAPA (Iowa)
• Charity Ramsey Irizarry, DPA, MCMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Florida)
• Melinda Rawcliffe, MPAS, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Arizona)
• Justine Roberts, PA-C, DFAAPA (Pennsylvania)
• Jenna Rolfs, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA (Virginia)
• Joshua Shepherd, PA-C, DFAAPA (Tennessee)
• Lauren Surrock, PA-C, DFAAPA (Michigan)
• Carolyn Telford, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Texas)
• Michele Toussaint, EdD, MS, PA-C, AACC, DFAAPA (California)
• Margaret Walker, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA (Washington)
• Alyn Whelchel, PA-C, DFAAPA (Colorado)
• Sara Wilchowski, PA-C, DFAAPA (Michigan)

Interested in finding out more about the Distinguished Fellow Program? Click here, or contact AAPA staff at [email protected].

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