WAPA Elections are open now through April 22. If you are a WAPA member and have not received your ballot and voting instructions, please contact wapa@wapa.com.

President Elect Candidates

Jenna Newcomb Barkhimer

• Executive Board Member since 2025
• Legislative committee member since 2018
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, major: Exercise Science, minor: Business Administration from Washington State University, Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from A.T. Still University / Arizona School of Health Sciences
• Career: Physician Assistant (PA-C) since 2008, Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine, NCCPA Certified, NCCPA Emergency Medicine Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) Certified
• Service: Washington Academy of Physician Associates (WAPA); Washington State University Alumni Association (WSUAA), President Columbia River Gorge Club; former VP of WSUAA Arizona and Oregon Chapters
• I reside in White Salmon, WA with my husband, Kirk and two dogs, Nico and Oscar. We enjoy college football season, camping in our van and many outdoor activities in the area.

 

Maggie Walker

Maggie Walker, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA is a physician assistant (PA) who specializes in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She grew up in Spokane, WA and raised a family, then went back to school and graduated from the University of Washington’s MEDEX program as a PA in 2011 – Anchorage class 1. She completed her master’s degree in 2016 and her Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree in 2021, both at A.T. Still University. She currently works at the University of Washington, Northwest Hospital as a Teaching Associate and inpatient PA for the GI/Hepatology team. She is also a Guest Lecturer at Northwest University.

Maggie believes in connecting with patients and working as a team to provide the best healthcare possible. Her number one goal is helping patients achieve a better quality of life. She is passionate about community health, medical ethics, and advocacy for the PA profession. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, dancing and cooking.

Brian Bea

Brian Bea, PA-C
Colonel, US Army | 2025 Washington PA of the Year
Candidate for President-Elect, WAPA

My name is Brian Bea. I’m a retired ED provider, US Army Colonel, and a veteran with over 38 years of military service. I’m currently a family and jail medicine provider in Southwest Washington. I am a humbled and proud recipient of the 2025 Washington PA of the Year Award—a recognition that fuels my commitment to giving back to a profession that has given me so much.

My clinical career spans more than 32 years across emergency medicine, urgent care, family medicine, jail medicine, and medical-legal work. My civilian roles include serving as the Skamania County Hospital Commissioner, ED APP Director for NACS in the Portland-Vancouver area that staffs 7 hospitals, and the Jail Medical Director for two counties. I also volunteer at local schools and health clinics serving the vulnerable and underserved populations with dignity and professionalism.

My rise to the rank of Colonel reflects nearly four decades of disciplined, mission-driven military leadership. I have led teams in complex, high-stake environments, developing the strategic vision, decisiveness, and people-first philosophy that define my approach to every challenge. My military experience is the foundation of my leadership—it shapes how I build teams, set strategy, and fight for the people I serve.

Throughout my career, I have trained, mentored, and taught the next generation of Physician Associates. As a provider and now a patient, I have a renewed focus, purpose, gratitude and the time to give back to our profession. I don’t have to do anything anymore—I “get to.” Being the Washington PA of the Year has only deepened my resolve to leave this profession better than I found it. With your voice, vision, energy and support we can ensure this for future Washington PA’s.

Chief Delegate Elect Candidate

Justin Thibeault

I graduated from the George Washington University in 2010 with a dual degree in Public Health and Physician Assistant studies. Soon after, I fulfilled a dream, and moved to the Pacific Northwest (from my hometown of Manchester, New Hampshire) and began my first job as an Orthopedic surgery PA in Portland, Oregon. Eventually I changed practices and now work for a large orthopedic group in Vancouver, Washington. I enjoy helping patients in both the clinical environment and the surgical theater. Utilizing the mind and body in this profession is personally fulfilling. I have been an active board member of the Washington Academy of Physician Associates since at least 2015 – fulfilling various roles along the way.

House of Delegates Candidates

Nicole Reicchart

Nicole has been a Physician Assistant for fourteen years primarily practicing in Emergency and Urgent Care medicine. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the State University of New York at Cortland followed by a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Albany Medical College. She furthered her education at Eastern Virginia Medical School completing a post-graduate fellowship in Emergency Medicine. Along with eight years of teaching experience in PA education, Nicole has mentored pre-PA students and has been a preceptor for PA students throughout her career. She enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband and three children.

Shellie Rabidou

Shellie Ann Rabidou, BS, MMSc, PA-C
ACLS/BLS | AAPA Member | WAPA Member
Currently serving on WAPA Legislative Committee

I have been a practicing PA for 22 years, specializing in family medicine, urgent care, and occupational medicine (Labor & Industries), with my entire career dedicated to rural healthcare. Currently, I practice at Confluence Health in Omak, WA, where I serve on our Steering Committee, help onboard new providers, clinical presentations and updates for provider group and precept PA and NP students. Before becoming a PA, I served in the United States Air Force as a medic, an experience that shaped my approach to healthcare. The military taught me the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and working toward a common goal—lessons I carry with me in both patient care and healthcare advocacy.

Beyond patient care, I am passionate about preventative medicine and advocating for changes in healthcare policy and legislation. As a member of the WAPA Legislative Committee, I work to support initiatives that improve healthcare access and delivery. I’m also involved in community outreach, including senior symposium lectures on Medicare Annual Wellness Visits and participating in local health fairs. When I’m not in the clinic, you’ll most likely find me hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, practicing yoga or reading—all of which keep me grounded and energized for the work I love.

Eric Johnson

My first career was in wilderness leadership instruction and wilderness therapy. There, I gained invaluable life skills and lasting perspective into the value of working with and helping others. Also, while gaining valuable and interesting training as a wilderness EMT, i identified that medicine was a long term calling. I attended PA school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. After school, I returned to Washington to join an internal medicine primary care practice in Bellingham. While an excellent first job for me, I ultimately decided to pursue additional training, and completed a fellowship in hospital medicine at the University of Colorado. Afterwards, eager to again return to Washington, I accepted a position at the University of Washington Medical Center in their APP led inpatient oncology service, where I still practice today, over seven years later.