UPDATED CANDIDATES FOR UPCOMING BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTIONS!! VOTE TODAY AT GENERAL MEETING

PALH is excited to announce the candidates for the upcoming PALH Board of Director Elections! 

You can still nominate yourself by 5/17 prior to elections, or self announce at the PALH meeting on Sunday 5/18/2025 at 3:30PM Mountain Time.

Additionally we also have spaces for our different PALH Committees including Advocacy, DEI, CME, Mentorship and Scholarship teams.

Elections voting will take place at the AAPA general session meeting. You can join us in person or register for the virtual option here.

President-Elect

Martha Patricia Rodriguez PA-C/MD,AAHIVS

I am honored to submit my self-nomination for the position of President-Elect. As an active member of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and a founding member of the Rio Grande Valley Physician Assistant’s Society, I have dedicated my career to advancing the PA profession and improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

My work is deeply rooted in public health and HIV care. I am a Certified HIV Prevention Provider (HIV PCP), a member of the International AIDS Society (IAS) and the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), and I have consistently worked to support and uplift the PA profession at both local and national levels.I also advocate for the U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) movement, which is vital to reducing stigma and increasing access to care, especially in Latino communities where health disparities persist.

As a bilingual provider and proud Latina, I understand the unique cultural and structural barriers our patients face. I believe that serving as President-Elect will allow me to further advocate for Latino health equity, support diverse PA leadership, and amplify initiatives that empower PAs to provide culturally responsive care. My goal is to elevate the voice of PAs in public health, particularly those working on the frontlines in Latino and underserved communities.

Mayra O. Martínez, DScPAs, MS, MPAS, PA-C

I would like to self-nominate myself for President-Elect. I have been a PA for the last decade in a small rural community in South Texas in which the majority of the population is Latino. I am the Past President of RGVPAS, Past President of SPAP, and current President of PAVMTs. I look forward to assisting PALH on their mission.

Mayra O. Martínez, DScPAs, MS, MPAS, PA-C attended the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) where she received a Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Biology and Math with a minor in Chemistry. She then received a Master’s of Science in Mathematical Sciences and a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She continued her studies and received a Doctorate of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacology and Health Sciences (MCPHS). Her dissertation was focused on healthcare barriers in Latino pediatric patients. She also has a background in teaching and taught at the Mathematics department at UTRGV as well as high school science. She has been practicing medicine with a focus on rural medicine, family medicine, telemedicine, and pediatrics. She is Past President of the Rio Grande Valley PA Society, Past President of SPAP, and current President of PAVMT. She is also a part of several committees of TAPA.

Director at Large Strategic Alliances / DEI

Yennie Armand M.S, PA-C

I respectfully submit my self-nomination for the position of Director-at-Large for Strategic Initiatives and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
It would be an honor to serve in this capacity and contribute meaningfully to advancing the mission of the caucus. I am deeply committed to fostering inclusive excellence, supporting underrepresented voices, and promoting sustainable, forward-thinking initiatives within our community. It would be an honor to serve as the Director-at-Large for Strategic Initiatives and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Physician Associates for Latino Health. As a dedicated PA educator, clinical coordinator, and practicing clinician, my career has been shaped by a deep commitment to advancing equitable healthcare access, education, and representation—values that closely align with the mission and vision of PALH.

My clinical career began at NYU Langone Hospital Long Island, where I practiced in general surgery, vascular, cardiothoracic surgery, and critical care. I later extended my clinical service to South Shore University Hospital, with a continued focus on caring for critically ill patients. These experiences have not only sharpened my clinical acumen but also deepened my understanding of the systemic disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, particularly in cardiovascular health.

Since 2015, I have served as PA faculty—first at Stony Brook University, where I taught surgery and diagnostic imaging, and currently at New York Institute of Technology, where I serve as Director of Clinical Education. In this role, I have built and sustained relationships with clinical sites and preceptors to support student placement and success, particularly focusing on cultivating inclusive and supportive environments for underrepresented students. I continue to teach diagnostic imaging, behavioral medicine, and clinical skills—courses that allow me to integrate cultural competence and patient-centered care into the clinical curriculum.

Mentorship has been a cornerstone of my work in PA education. I have consistently supported PA students and pre-professional students from diverse backgrounds, helping to expand their clinical understanding and foster their commitment to community service, both in international and domestic communities. My ongoing doctoral studies in public health education have allowed me to further examine and act upon the intersection of health literacy and equity, especially related to cardiovascular disease in marginalized populations.

Through various community partnerships with non-profit organizations in Long Island, New York, I’ve developed and led public health workshops focused on health literacy for children, adolescents, and adults over age 60. Since the Summer of 2023, I coordinated a team of volunteers—high school, college, and pre-PA and premed students—to serve the school districts with preventative bilingual educational sessions against Vaping and smoking to migrant youth groups. Through my service on the NYSSPA DEI committee, I have collaborated to organize outreach to underserved Girl Scout communities, which supports the current NCCPA Back2School program mission. These initiatives have evolved into the foundation of my current research, reflecting my long-term dedication to bridging health disparities through education and outreach.
As Director-at-Large for Strategic Initiatives and DEI, I would bring not only a depth of clinical and educational experience, but also a proactive, collaborative approach to developing programs that empower Latino communities and uplift future PA leaders from underrepresented backgrounds. I look forward to contributing to PALH’s vision through thoughtful partnership, innovative strategy, and a steadfast commitment to health equity.

Efren Torres, MSPAS, PA-C

My name is Efren Torres and I am a PA-C from Visalia, CA.  I am interested in running for a position with PALH and run for the Director at Large for Strategic Alliances and DEI. I currently work in an underserved Latinx community and focus on not only Family Medicine but help with Addiction Medicine and Behavioral Health in my community.  I graduated from A.T. Still University, while I was in school I served as a Student Leader Fellow with the joint PALH and LGBT PA Caucus.  I graduated as part of the Pi Alpha National Honor Society and received the PA Advocacy award with my program.
I am currently both the DEI Chair and a Director at Large for the LGBT PA Caucus.

I would like to continue my advocacy as a PA and connect with the programs to be able to provide care for those of the Latinx community that are at times forgotten about or do not receive the correct care.  My goal as a PA is to help those that are underserved and by being able to connect with other groups within our profession it will allow to ensure everyone has the care that is needed.

Director at Large Membership/Public Relations

Natalia Rangel DMSc, PA-C

It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application for the Director at Large: Membership / Public Relations position.

PALH has been at the heart of my professional journey. Not only as a platform for advocacy, but as a community that has empowered me to grow as a leader, mentor, and public health advocate.

Over the past several years, I’ve dedicated countless hours to advancing our mission. When the Membership/PR position was left vacant, I stepped in to fill the gap and built a dedicated communications team from the ground up. Together, we’ve committed to posting relevant news, creating timely content, and highlighting developments in Latino health and the PA profession. Through this work, we’ve re-energized PALH’s digital presence and reaffirmed our commitment to keeping our members informed and engaged.

Beyond that, I’ve played an active role in PALH initiatives: coordinating scholarships, organizing community outreach, and mentoring pre-PA and PA students nationwide. My focus remains on strengthening member benefits, enhancing communication channels, and promoting our presence.

As a first-generation Latina immigrant and practicing PA, my dedication to PALH is deeply personal. I am proud of what we’ve built, and I would be honored to continue this work as your Director at Large for Membership and Public Relations.