Grace Armstrong is a second-year PA student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Science Studies with a minor in Biology from Baylor University.

Armstrong serves as the Rainbow Health Alliance Representative for her PA class, where she works to raise awareness of health disparities affecting the LGBTQ+ community. She also volunteers at the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center, a student-led free clinic focused on expanding access to care in the Little Rock community.

During her undergraduate studies, Armstrong served on the leadership team of the Physician Assistant Society at Baylor, mentoring students interested in the PA profession and the path to PA school. In 2026, Armstrong served as a Student Academy Delegate and Teller at the AAPA House of Delegates in New Orleans. A member of the Arkansas Academy of PAs’ Legislative Committee, Armstrong is eager to apply what she learns at LAS to helping expand utilization of PAs and in access to care PA in Arkansas.

Lesley Chao is a dual-degree Master of Physician Assistant Practice and Master of Science in Public Health student at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Her advocacy focuses on advancing the PA profession and improving access to equitable, patient-centered care, particularly in sexual and reproductive health and underserved communities.

Chao was selected as a 2024–2025 PAEA Student Health Policy Fellow, where she engaged in federal advocacy and developed an interprofessional health policy initiative that brought together more than 350 health professions students to learn from healthcare leaders and state legislators. She also represented PA students nationally as a 2026 AAPA House of Delegates student delegate, co-authoring and advocating for policy addressing the impact of federal student loan limitations on PA education.

At the state level, Chao has worked with the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA), North Carolina Medical Society, and North Carolina Public Health Association to advocate for policies affecting PA practice and access to care.

Elizabeth Cole is a first-year PA student at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, where she serves as class president. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health.

Cole developed a strong interest in public health policy during her undergraduate years and has continued to focus on its potential to create meaningful change in communities across South Carolina. Her leadership journey is grounded in service, advocacy, and a commitment to giving back to the university and communities that helped prepare her for a career in medicine.

Cole’s interest in policy grew through volunteer work on congressional, senatorial, and gubernatorial campaigns. Early in PA school, she participated in the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants’ (SCAPA) online advocacy campaign, helping her program earn top recognition for generating the greatest number of interactions and views while increasing awareness of the PA profession across South Carolina.

Dr. Shiva Salehian is a PA student at Shenandoah University with a multidisciplinary background in public health, healthcare policy, and research. She previously earned her Doctor of Philosophy in healthcare policy and research from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University.

Salehian serves as a Student Academy Representative for AAPA, represents her PA program with the Virginia Academy of PAs (VAPA), serves as the VAPA Executive Student Representative, and was elected as a House of Delegates Student Delegate for the 2026–2027 term.

Driven by a passion for advocacy, public health, and evidence-based policy, Salehian has demonstrated leadership across research, professional service, and PA student engagement. Before PA school, she served as a researcher at the American Institutes for Research, where she evaluated Medicaid initiatives and other healthcare programs.

Alexa Tueller is a PA student at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Originally from St. George, Utah, she earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition science from Utah State University.

Tueller’s experience as a D1 collegiate volleyball team captain helped shape her leadership style and strengthened her interest in nutrition, movement, and preventive medicine. Through her experiences as both a student-athlete and PA student, she has built a foundation in teamwork, communication, and community-building.

She is a member of the Utah Academy of PAs, and participated significantly in the Utah PA Day on Capitol Hill, where she met with state legislators to advocate for modernizing state practice law. She is especially passionate about improving access to high-quality healthcare in rural and underserved communities in her home state. Tueller serves as Historian and Social Chair for her PA program, contributing to her cohort in a leadership role and helping foster connection among classmates.