2025 WAPA Fall Conference HUB

Alicia Quella is the Director of Communications and PA Relations at the NCCPA. She has served as a PA Program Chair and Director and has practiced in emergency medicine and primary care. She has served as an epidemiologist and has published research on the PA workforce, global health and PA educational debt. Alicia earned her Masters of PA Studies degree and her doctoral degree in epidemiology from the University of Iowa.

Dr. Troy Bender, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (DFAAPA), is a
Physician Assistant (PA) with over 32 years of experience in emergency medicine, currently serving as
President-Elect of the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA). He has held the role of CME
Chair for WAPA for the past three years and is currently Co-Chair of its Legislative Committee, advocating
for advancements in PA practice. Dr. Bender recently transitioned from PA education administration to fulltime
clinical practice, returning to his passion for emergency medicine, to which he has dedicated his
career. He earned his Doctorate in PA Education and Leadership from the University of Lynchburg in 2020
and a Master’s in PA Education from Missouri State University in 2009. Four years ago, he moved to
Washington State to start the PA program at Northwest University, where he served as the founding dean
and made significant contributions to advancing PA education in the state. Prior to his PA career, he
served as a paramedic, specializing in critical care transport as a flight paramedic. His clinical work as a
PA has primarily focused on emergency medicine in rural critical access hospitals across Oklahoma and
Washington. He is dedicated to improving healthcare access and quality in underserved communities. In
his free time, Dr. Bender enjoys playing golf and attending Mariners games with his family.

Dr. O’Neill. DMSc, MMSc, PA, is a veteran Physician Associate with advanced degrees in Medical Science and a distinguished background in acute care, academic medicine, and healthcare leadership. A proud U.S. Marine and former Marine Corps Combat Corpsman, Jay brings battlefield-tested resilience and clinical expertise to the forefront of every role he serves. He currently provides care at a remote Indian Health Services clinic in Neah Bay, Washington, where resourcefulness meets purpose in one of the most underserved regions of the Pacific Northwest. An accomplished scholar with peer-reviewed publications, Jay specializes in AMA charting standards, clinical workflows, testosterone replacement therapy, and experimental research design. Outside the clinic and classroom, Jay has been a fierce competitor in the Scottish Highland Games for over 25 years—proving that while throwing a caber takes strength, navigating EHRs under pressure might take more.

“If you can heave a 20-foot tree trunk end-over-end in front of a cheering crowd, you can probably finish your CME paperwork on time.”

Dr. Jessica Zering is an antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist working for the Washington State Department of Health. She is board-certified in infectious diseases and pharmacotherapy and has worked in pharmacy in different roles and settings for over a decade. Her work at the Department of Health involves creating antibiotic usage guidance and educational resources for providers working in outpatient, acute care, and long-term care settings. She is passionate about protecting patients from the unwanted effects of antibiotics.

Dennis Rivenburgh has been a practicing PA for over 25 years Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery and a Certified Athletic Trainer for over 40 years. He graduated from The George Washington University PA program in 1997. He is currently a Sr. Physician Assistant at the Johns Hopkins University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has worked as a PA in both private practice and academic orthopaedic sports medicine, primary care ports medicine, Concussion Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He served as the Program Director of the AACC/UMD Collaborative PA Program form 2015-2018. He has lectured locally, Nationally and Internationally on orthopaedic sports medicine topics and the safe prescribing of opioids.

Navy Corpsman, PA-C, Juris Doctorate, Family Practice Physician and current Chief Medical Officer at the STIHC Medical Center in Neah Bay, WA.

Matt Marshall is a state legislator, clinician, educator, and veteran with a multidisciplinary background. He represents Washington’s 2nd Legislative District in the State House of Representatives, where he serves as Assistant Ranking Member of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, as well as a member of the House Appropriations and Education Committees. He is also an appointee to the governor’s Public Health Advisory Board.

Matt holds a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law, a Master of Physician Assistant Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and an Associate of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from The George Washington University. His commitment to public service is further reflected in his service in the United States Army, where he worked as a laboratory technician, combat medic, and physician assistant.

With over 20 years of hands-on medical experience, Matt has specialized in orthopedic surgery and advanced wound care. He also serves as a professor of Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland Global Campus, where he mentors future healthcare and science professionals.

By bridging legislative leadership, clinical practice, legal expertise, and military service, Matt brings a unique perspective that advances quality healthcare and shapes health policy within Washington State and beyond.

Dr. Dale Robertson is an experienced Physician Assistant/Associate and educator with a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and a Master of Clinical Health Services from the University of Washington’s MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Training Program. Dr. Robertson currently serves as Program Director and Associate Professor at Franklin Pierce University Arizona Hybrid. Dr Robertson has over 18 years of experience as a Physician Assistant/Associate and over 9 years of experience in PA education. Dr. Robertson also served in the United States Army, where he received the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and was honorably discharged. Dr. Robertson’s clinical experience spans urgent care, emergency medicine, family practice, and correctional medicine. He also has a background as a Respiratory Therapist.

Tara Hook is a seasoned Physician Assistant with 20 years of clinical experience. After completing her masters degree in medicine from St Louis University, she worked in orthopedics and family medicine before moving to Seattle and launching her emergency medicine career with Kaiser Permanente in 2006. She also served as faculty at the University of Washington from 2017-2023, and in 2022 she completed a doctorate in medical sciences from Rocky Mountain University. In addition to her emergency services work, she is the founder and owner of Ageless Aesthetics, LLC, where she combines her medical expertise with a passion for aesthetic medicine. Her private practice focuses on services such as neuromodulators (Botox), dermal fillers, body contouring, and nutrition-based weight management. Dr. Hook is dedicated to helping fellow PAs expand their careers into the field of aesthetics, and her presentation will offer practical insights into getting started—from required training and key techniques to managing essential business accounts. She brings a grounded, experienced perspective to this growing field, making aesthetics more accessible for medical professionals.

Stephen Willis PA-C is a MEDEX Graduate from 2008. Stephen worked at Rockwood Clinic Endocrinology in Spokane from 2008-2022. Stephen practiced general endocrinology with a 50% focus on diabetes care. Stephen was a sub-investigator in 40+ clinical research studies in endocrine diseases. Stephen joined Abbott Diabetes Care as a Medical Science Liaison for continuous glucose monitoring education and research in 2022. Prior to MEDEX Stephen worked as a paramedic-rescue- law enforcement ranger in Glacier, Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. Stephen lives with his partner on a small farm outside of Spokane and spends as much free time in the mountains as possible.

Through original songs and storytelling, speaker Parfait will encourage and equip participants with the necessary tools and language to engage in and create systems that cultivate belonging. Informed by academic frameworks and his lived experiences as an immigrant and belonging practitioner, Parfait will guide participants in self reflection to understand the relevance of DEI—specifically through his unique framework of “befriending”—in today’s political climate and in the medical field. Participants will walk away understanding why DEI still matters in today’s divisive context, why medical practitioners must engage in DEI practices, how their everyday relational connections can be a powerful tool for belonging, and equipped to engage with those who are undecided or skeptical about the power of DEI and belonging.

Syed Gillani, DO, is a Family Medicine specialist with a subspecialty in Obstetrics based in Othello, WA. He completed the Tacoma Family Medicine Rural Family Medicine with Obstetrics Fellowship at Tacoma, WA, and residency in Family Medicine at Centura Health Corporation in 2017. He graduated from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2014. He has been serving as an attending physician at both Othello Community Hospital and Columbia Basin Health Association since 2018. His experience spans obstetrics and primary care. He has multiple publications focusing on healthy lifestyles in underserved populations, the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury, and replantation of amputated fingers, some of which have been frequently cited. Dr. Gillani has received several honors, including awards for advocacy and community partnership during his residency, as well as recognition as a notable graduate of osteopathic medicine. Currently, he is an assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.

Dr. Bussey attended Dartmouth College, the University of Chicago (MA Human Development)and Loyola Medical School. He completed his residency at UC Irvine in Family Medicine in 1981 and then worked in the ER and other group practices for a few years. In 1985, he began his solo Family practice and 40 years later still takes care of his patients. Because he is a pilot, A large part of his practice is aviation medicine. Throughout his career, public service has been important. He worked in the Peace Corps in India, worked at county, state, and federal facilities. As he noticed medicine becoming more of a business than a profession, he became involved in hospital politics. He attended Golden Gate Law School in San Francisco in the early 90s and passed the California Bar. While working as a medical consultant for the state, he joined UAPD and saw the value of physician unionization as a way of recouping physician power. He became president in 2006 and helped grow UAPD to its current population of 7000 health care providers.

Cooper Couch, MPAP, PA-C is a Board Certified PA, bilingual primary care provider, and committed advocate for people and communities facing systemic barriers to care. They provide comprehensive family medicine at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in both English and Spanish. Cooper has held leadership roles on the AAPA Board of Directors, PA Foundation Board of Trustees, and the LBGT PA Caucus Board of Directors. They serve on multiple national, state, and local professional committees and are a seasoned delegate to the AAPA House of Delegates. Cooper presents nationally on inclusive care, PA advocacy, and professional leadership. Their practice is grounded in full-spectrum care and a dedication to equity in healthcare. Cooper lives in Mount Vernon, WA, where they enjoy exploring the outdoors with their husband and two rescue cattle dogs.

John Scott, MD, MSc, FIDSA is a Professor of Medicine (Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and Chief Digital Health Officer at UW Medicine.  He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology, attended Georgetown University School of Medicine cum laude, completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Stanford University Hospitals, and then obtained sub-specialty training in Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington.  He joined the University of Washington faculty in 2005.

In 2009, he launched Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) in Washington State, the first place to replicate the ECHO model outside of New Mexico.  This innovative telehealth program helps clinicians serving in rural and underserved areas with the evaluation and treatment of common, complex, chronic diseases.  In 2015, he won the Warren Reid Award for excellence in health care for the state of Washington, in recognition of his telehealth work.  He chairs the Washington State Telehealth Collaborative and served on the Telehealth committee for the Infectious Disease Society of America. The Washington State Medical Association recognized him with the Grassroots Advocate Award in 2020 for his work in advocating for policy changes for telemedicine at the state and federal level.

In his role as Chief Digital Health Officer, he is focused on Virtual Care Delivery and developing a robust Digital Front Door to bring together UW Medicine’s existing technologies, apps, and other digital services into a simple, single sign-on platform.

Gregory Wisont is a renal dietitian at Northwest Kidney Centers in Seattle, WA. He is passionate about helping patients optimize their diets in order to improve their health and postpone dialysis. Greg received a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois, where he studied the impact of specific amino acids on muscle metabolism. He also received a Master’s of Public Health from the University of Washington and is certified as a Registered Dietitian. In addition to his work among patients with chronic kidney disease, Greg works with patients receiving kidney dialysis and with patients challenged by eating disorders. Greg is an active member of National Kidney Foundation, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is chair of the local CRN chapter (PNW-CRN). In his spare time, Greg enjoys hiking, rock climbing, swimming, qi gong, and aikido.

Ted Parker, MCHS, PA-C, is a primary care provider in Seattle, Washington, at the UW Medicine Primary Care clinic at Northgate. He also holds a didactic faculty appointment with the University of Washington’s MEDEX Northwest PA Program. Parker has served nationally as a PA Ambassador with NCCPA, is a PAEA Future Educator Fellowship Steering Committee member, and is the founder of “Send the Elevator Back Down,” a mentoring initiative supporting underrepresented pre-PA students.