President & ACS-CSPS Representative

MARGARET HOLLAND, MPAS, PA-C

Margaret Holland is a graduate of the George Washington University Physician Assistant (PA) Program and has been involved with AASPA since 2015. She is a dedicated Surgical PA with more than 13 years of healthcare experience including a nursing background in the field of pediatric cardiology. She initially spent several years in the DC Metro area practicing adult cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, and now currently practices as a surgical PA at Boston Children's Hospital in Massachusetts in pediatric congenital cardiac surgery. She is passionate about seeing PA students and PA fulfill their healthcare dreams and has taught AASPAs workshops, Pre-PA/PA Student tracks, as well as being involved with CME development and the publication of AASPA's periodical Sutureline. As current President, she remains involved in these activities and is a PA representative for the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety (CSPS) which influences practices of operating rooms across the US.  In addition to being a PA, she is a classical ballerina recently performing with the Harvard Ballet Company and the New York Dance Project as a strong advocate for merging medicine and art. You can watch her series about Dancers and Medicine on Instagram @thesurgicalballerina.

Immediate Past President

ERIN SHERER, EDD, MPAS, PA-C, RD

Erin Sherer is a PA based in New York City. Her work experience as a physician assistant includes surgical critical care, emergency medicine, telemedicine, and PA education. In addition to being a PA, she is also a registered dietitian and is passionate about nutrition and fitness. She has been involved with AASPA since 2004.

President-Elect

MICHELLE DELLENE, MMS, PA-C, RYT

Michelle Dellene, PA-C is a Neurosurgical Physician Associate who is dedicated to delivering high quality care to her patients and highly valuable education to her students. With experience in trauma neurosurgery, aesthetics, general surgery, and robotics; Michelle Dellene PA-C has a unique background as a surgical PA. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology & Cell Science from the University of Florida in 2013 and a Master of Medical Science Degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic she realized the need of healthcare provider healing and became a registered yoga teacher and lifestyle coach. While working as full-time PA and serving as President Elect of AASPA, Michelle also serves the healthcare population as an entrepreneur on the mission to Heal the Healers by delivering 1:1 coaching and private yoga sessions; bridging the gap between Eastern & Western Medicine. 

Secretary

sara guerin, ms, PA-C

Sara Guerin has been practicing in trauma, acute care surgery, and surgical critical care since graduating from Central Michigan University in 2010.  More recently, she has joined University of Michigan – Flint as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the PA Program teaching Patient Evaluation. Outside of surgery, Sara has a strong interest in public health and advocacy hoping to one day operate a pro bono clinic for the underserved in the community that will blend her experiences in clinical practice, PA education, and public health together. 

Sara lives in Michigan with her husband and children.  When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling, reading, and being outdoors.  She is a Disney lover and will always be planning the next trip!

Treasurer

VERONICA VICTORIAN, DMSc, PA-C

Veronica is a native of Houston Texas, who graduated with a Masters degree from Nova Southeastern University PA program in 2010. Veronica later earned a doctorate in medical science from the University of Lynchburg in 2020. Veronica has been a PA in pediatric general surgery since the start of her career with a special interest in anorectal and colorectal disease. She is an Assistant Director for surgery advanced practice providers in operations, quality and safety, and research.

Director of Education

AmATUL NOOR ALI, DMSC, MPAS, PA-C

Amatul Noor Ali is a graduate of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Physician Assistant Program. She is a loyal, dedicated surgical PA with 12 years of healthcare experience and beyond including a background in the field of pediatric ophthalmic oncology. She currently practices as a surgical PA at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, in the sub-specialty area of ocular oncology. Recently, Noor graduated from the University of Lynchburg with her doctorate in Medical Science degree earlier in 2022. She currently serves as an Advanced Practice Practitioner supervisor in the section of Ophthalmology, Department of Head and Neck Surgery.  In addition to being a PA, she is a travel buff who enjoys hiking and other outdoor adventures with her family as well as enjoys learning about various culinary arts. 

Director of Marketing

Mike Llewellyn, PA-C, FAPACVS

Mike is currently the lead and founding PA of the Robotic Surgery Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to managing a team of 6 highly-specialized surgical PAs covering a wide variety of robotic surgical subspecialties, he also leads clinical operations for the entirety of our robotic surgical program. Although he enjoys all aspects of surgery, he spends most of my operative time in thoracic and cardiac robotic surgical procedures. 

Mike graduated from Arcadia University’s PA program in 2013 and has worked in surgery ever since. He started his career at New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he joined a large team of surgical PAs at the Lower Manhattan campus. It was a newly minted PA-run multispecialty surgical service where the team covered a myriad of specialties in the OR, wards, SICU, and consults. Mike's first dedicated thoracic surgery opportunity came in 2015 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he was 1 of 5 surgical PAs who first-assisted in many complicated thoracic surgical oncology cases.

Mike was recruited to MGH in 2019 where he has since built a robust multidisciplinary robotic surgery program. His clinical interests include lung cancer and structural heart disease. When he's not in the OR, he enjoys spending time with his wife Vicki, who is a medical oncology PA, and his daughter, Poppy. 

Professional Development Director

ASHLEY SCLAFANI, PA-C

Ashley Sclafani is a reconstructive plastic surgery physician assistant in Miami, FL. Her current position focuses heavily on breast reconstruction, as well as cosmetic procedures.

She holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Rutgers University. Throughout her undergraduate and professional education, she held positions that concentrated on volunteerism and PA advocacy. During PA school, her role in the Assembly of Representatives fostered legislative involvement with the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Born into a military family, Ashley has had the opportunity to live in seven states given her Mother's roots as a nurse practitioner in the United States Air Force. Ashley is a quadruplet in an Italian family of eight and enjoys international travel, adventurous eating, and snowboarding.

Sutureline Executive Editor

Alex Merkle, DSC, PA-C

Alex currently works in emergency surgery at a tertiary referral hospital. He still pays homage to his pre-hospital roots by volunteering with a Search and Rescue team in the Lake Tahoe area, where he gets to refine his austere medicine, technical rescue and Nordic mountaineering skills. Alex attended the Army's Surgical/Critical Care PA fellowship at Brooke Army Medical Center and subsequently supported SOCOM. Previously, he worked medical support missions in isolated postings across Alaska, remote Pacific islands and Antarctic field camps.

Diversity and Inclusion Chair

Tyisha Barrett, MS, MMS, PA-C

Tyisha Barrett is a graduate of the Wake Forest School of Medicine Physician Assistant Studies program. Additionally, she has a MS degree in Biological Sciences and extensive experience in clinical research. Presently, she practices as a PA-C in general surgery and surgical oncology. She is native of Houston, Texas and a dedicated member of the medical profession. She is passionate about revamping the healthcare system to one that benefits everyone and improving the lives of many individuals who are hesitant about seeking medical care. In addition to being a PA, she enjoys reading and watching movies 

Student Representative

Adam Buck

Adam Buck is a recent graduate of the PA Program at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. He graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Policy, and most recently from Florida Atlantic University with a Certificate in Biomedical Sciences. His background includes working as a medical assistant and scribe in cardiac electrophysiology and interventional cardiology.

Adam has been involved with the AASPA since 2019 and is passionate about assisting and uplifting pre-PAs as well as his fellow students to achieve their goals. He is also enthusiastic about personal growth and enjoys reading, lifting weights, and training MMA in his free time. He remains active in his school’s Surgical Physician Assistant Club, and following graduation aspires to attend a surgical PA fellowship for pediatric surgery.

Student Representatives

Brittany Douglas

 Paige Andrews

Brennon Taylor

AARON PRIBIL

Assistant Student Representatives

IFedayo Akinyemi

Jacqueline Olive

Laura Hassan

Kyle Capone

Military Representative

Catherine Gaines, PA-C, LLT. COL (RET.), COANG, BSC

Active Duty Military Liaison

Major James Huang, DSC, PA-C