PALH is excited to announce the candidates for the upcoming PALH Student Alliance Elections! ----TIME EXTENDED

You can still nominate yourself by 6/1 prior to elections email ballots that will be sent out on 6/3/2025.

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

Elections voting will start on 6/3/2025 and end by 6/10/2025 for elected members to start their position by 7/1/2025.

• Student Alliance Chair-elect (2 year role): Supports the Chair, prepares to transition into the Chair role, and assists with leadership duties as needed. Transitions to Student Alliance Chair after first year of service.
  • This ideally is for DIDACTIC year PA Students.

• Treasurer/Secretary: Manages the Alliance’s finances and fundraising initiatives. Communicates important updates to officers; collaborates with the Chair to prepare and distribute meeting minutes and Zoom links; updates minutes in real time during meetings.

• Communications Officer: Promotes PALH to PA programs and student groups; manages the PALH Instagram with regular updates, events, deadlines, and student-focused content.
  • (PA Student will work in collaboration with the Pre-PA representative and the PR committee)

• Didactic Affairs Officer: Supports didactic-year students by organizing academic resources, study tips, and events tailored to the classroom phase.   
  • (This ideally is for CLINICAL year PA Student to bring ideas for the Didactic year students.)

• Clinical Affairs Officer: Provides clinical-year students with resources on rotations, EOR prep, networking, and improving H&P/documentation skills.
  • (This ideally is for CLINICAL year PA Student to bring ideas for the incoming CLINICAL year students.)

• Professional Development Officer: Coordinates career-building opportunities, including resume workshops, interview prep, and networking events.

• Leadership Development Officer: Creates leadership workshops and initiatives to help students strengthen leadership skills and engage in PALH leadership opportunities.

• Pre-PA Representative(non-voting member): Connects with pre-PA clubs, promotes PALH to pre-PA students, and gathers feedback to support pre-PA engagement.

Current Nominations

Student Alliance Chair-Elect 

Joderick Castillo, PA-S1

PALH has been a part of my journey as both a pre-PA and as a newly accepted PA student. Through the organization's mentorship program, I have learned that many of the changes I seek to make begins at the root of the profession, that is, the future generation of PALH students.

While my involvement in PALH is at the forefront of my confidence, coming from a Colombian background contributes a significant amount to it as well. As a Latino student, I understand the many challenges that naturally emerge from being a Latino in medicine.

As student alliance chair-elect, I will not only serve PALH and the students within the organization, but will also be able to refine the leadership skills necessary to serve the profession as a whole.

Secretary/Treasurer 

Emilio Salazar PA-S1

My name is Emilio Salazar, and I’ll be running for the secretary officer position. As secretary, I hope to fulfill all duties listed in an efficient manner. As a phlebotomist, undergraduate club treasurer, and researcher, I bring a strong repertoire of organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to effectively communicate with others. I’m happy to have come across PALH and hope I can further contribute to its mission as secretary.

Communications Officer 

Samantha Garcia PA-S2

Hi everyone! My name is Samantha Garcia, and I’m excited for the opportunity to run for Communications Officer. I’m new to PALH, but once I learned about the organization and what it stands for, I knew I wanted to get involved. As a second-year PA student and proud Latina, I truly believe in the importance of representation and building a community where we feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

One of my goals in this role is to help more students discover what PALH is all about. I want to use social media not just to share updates and deadlines, but to highlight student voices, celebrate our culture and accomplishments, and create a space where others feel connected and inspired.

Before PA school, I was involved in leadership roles through student organizations and mentoring, and those experiences showed me how valuable it is to create spaces where people feel supported, included, and encouraged. I’m excited to bring that same mindset to this role and help PALH connect with more students and communities in meaningful and impactful ways.

Didactic Affairs Officer 

Kenny Severino, PA-S2

Hello, my name is Kenny Severino, and I am interested in both the Didactic Affairs Officer positions. I am based in Massachusetts and have just begun my clinical year.

Health equity is one of my core values, and I am deeply committed to serving underrepresented communities—particularly Hispanic, Black, elderly, and low-income populations. I’m eager to become more involved in our community and to support PA students in any way I can.

As an undergraduate, I served as a tutor and residential assistant, guiding younger students and helping them navigate academic and campus life. I was also a member of my fraternity’s executive board, where I represented the student body on our national committee and served as Scholastic Chair. Additionally, I volunteered in a local hospice, where I regularly advocated for residents and their families. Currently, I serve as a student mentor for the incoming first-year students in my PA program.

As members of an underrepresented population, we have overcome many barriers—and I am passionate about supporting our community however possible. It is essential that more Latin students enter the healthcare field and are set up for success.

Fun Fact: I love to run and build Legos or Puzzles.

Clinical Affairs Officer 

Salma Ruiz Sandoval PA-S2

I want to run for Clinical Affairs Officer because I truly enjoy working with and helping students succeed. While I’ve supported many pre-PAs in their journeys, I’m now eager to guide PA students through the clinical year—a time that requires not only academic preparation for EORs, but also confidence in building relationships with preceptors, staff, and patients, along with strong H&P and documentation skills.

I have nearly completed all of my clinical rotations and have gained valuable insight into diverse fields, including psychiatry, emergency medicine, women’s health, and trauma surgery. These experiences have taught me what it takes to succeed on rotations—from adapting to different clinical environments to effectively communicating with preceptors and interdisciplinary teams. As a former ER and ICU scribe, I also bring a strong background in patient interviewing and EMR documentation, which I’ve continued to strengthen during my rotations.

Throughout PA school, I’ve scored above the national average on all of my EOR exams, with my highest marks in women’s health and emergency medicine. I want to use my experience to share effective study strategies, clinical pearls, and mentorship to help fellow students feel more confident, prepared, and supported throughout their clinical year. I’m passionate about uplifting others, and I’m ready to serve and support our PALH student community in this role.

Professional Development Officer 

Samantha Fortier PA-S1

I am applying for the position of Professional Development Officer as I will be entering my second year this upcoming August. I would love the opportunity to serve in this role to support my peers and incoming students. I have several ideas for seminars and activities that I believe would benefit the student body.

I have been a part of PALH for two years and have truly valued the opportunity to be involved in the committee. I am deeply passionate about PALH’s mission statement, and it would be an honor to contribute to the Student Alliance next year.

In the past year, I have served on the Mentorship Committee and held the position of Student Alliance Treasurer. These experiences have prepared me to take on a greater leadership role and continue making a positive impact. Please consider me for this position.

Leadership Development Officer 

Martha Cortez Olea, PA-S1

Hello! My name is Martha Cortez, and I am a first-year Physician Assistant (PA) student at UC Davis, currently serving as the Diversity Chair for UC Davis SAAAPA. It would be both an honor and a privilege to be elected as your next Leadership Development Officer.

A little about me: I was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and raised in San Diego, California. I am a proud first-generation immigrant and the youngest of seven children. I am deeply passionate about serving underserved and underrepresented patient populations, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border and in California’s Central Valley.

Before entering PA school, I was a shy and quiet person. One of the most transformative pieces of advice I received was to step into leadership roles, not only to grow personally but also to support and uplift others who may feel just as shy or uncertain, yet eager to learn and contribute. That mindset has brought me here today, stepping out of my comfort zone and hoping to be chosen for this opportunity.

As Leadership Development Officer, my goal is to create impactful and interactive leadership workshops that cover essential topics such as oral presentation skills, interprofessional collaboration, advocacy, and cultural competence. I also aim to launch initiatives that connect PALH with the community. I believe that PAs are not just healthcare providers, but also leaders and advocates in the communities we serve. For example, creating a Leadership Day, where PA students, either individually or in collaboration across programs, partner with local organizations to host health education sessions, mentorship opportunities for youth, and leadership panels that highlight the diverse roles of PAs in healthcare and beyond.

I bring experience as a lead medical assistant, a PA student volunteer at a Sacramento community clinic, and a mentor to pre-PA students and others pursuing higher education. I hope to use this experience to foster leadership growth in others and strengthen our collective impact.

Thank you for considering me for this role.

Pre-PA Representative 

I am excited to nominate myself for the Pre-PA Representative position. As a first-generation Mexican-American pre-PA student, I am eager to become more involved with this organization. I am passionate about creating opportunities for my peers and helping to open doors that many may not be aware of. As I enter my first gap year, I plan to connect with pre-PA clubs at various colleges and universities, schedule meetings to promote PALH, and establish personal relationships with these groups and individuals. I also aim to gather insights on how PALH can better support pre-PA students. I believe that engagement and community are vital for us as Latino pre-PAs, PA students, and PA-Cs to thrive in a predominantly white field.

 

Adans Miguel Angel Reyes Guerrero, Pre-PA

Fun fact about me: I have three first names and two last names. It's a Hispanic thing. Hello, everyone. I'm applying for the Pre-Pa representative position; as a Pre-Pa student applying this cycle, I must continue advocating for the PA profession and representing the Latino community. I became a member of the PALH on October 19th, when I attended the New Jersey State Society of Physicians Assistant CME Conference 2023. I had the fantastic opportunity to meet Karina, PA-C, who introduced me to this great organization, and since then, I have been so grateful for all the guidance and support I have received.

I'm genuinely passionate about this organization's mission and how enriching it is to observe incredible changes happen when so many people unite with the same vision. The guidance I received from the PALH has motivated me to become an active member of my town ambulance EMS Corp team, volunteer for the Department of Health, create the first physician associates' group at my Community College, serve as their president, and much more. I truly appreciate how the PALH encourages future PAs. 

I have had the opportunity to complete my certification in Foundation of Leadership from the National Society of Leadership and Success, and I worked in various leadership roles at College. I represented the Latino community and served as one of the leaders for the past year while completing some prerequisites for PA school. These leadership experiences, along with the guidance I have received from the PALH, have equipped me to be an effective Pre-Pa representative; working alongside Latino and non-Latino students to continue advocating for the PA profession and empowering our community is what I'm more passionate about.