Senior Director, Government Relations

• Jan 2022 - Present

Director, Government Relations

• Feb 2019 - Dec 2021

-Secured the revision and reintroduction of the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act and the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act in the 117th Congress-Accomplished the top policy priority of association members - resolving disparities in the verification of student medical record documentation between medical and PA students under CMS regulations - by achieving bipartisan engagement from the leaders of the Senate Rural Health Caucus and through interprofessional coalition and grassroots advocacy-Doubled the association's annual engagement metrics on Capitol Hill within first year as Director-Established relationships with new members of Congress - resulting in the inclusion of high-priority language in newly-introduced legislation-Planned and successfully executed the association's second large-scale advocacy day with over 170 members from 36 state delegations in attendance-Expanded the association's spring student advocacy trip to its largest size in six years-Executed and supported congressional policy briefings on high-priority issues for association members including clinical training site shortages and federal health workforce development investments-Established accountability metrics and managed an outside team of consultants-Oversaw the development and management of the GR department's budget-Advised senior leadership and the Board of Directors on association policy priorities and strategy

Manager, Government Relations

• Apr 2018 - Jan 2019

-Continued responsibilities as an in-house lobbyist and staff partner to the Optimal Team Practice Task Force and Government Relations Steering Committee-Developed and executed strategy for legislative advocacy related to Title VII of the Public Health Service Act and the Higher Education Act, among other priorities-Assumed supervisory responsibilities for PAEA’s Government Relations Administrative Associate-Planned and executed the association’s first ever GW PA Program Hill Day-Led regular federal policy update sessions for the CEOs representing health professions education in the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions-Coordinated successful grassroots efforts to establish loan repayment incentives for PAs under the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act-Successfully secured the first ever PA representative on the VA National Academic Affiliations Council-Assumed management of the association’s Student Health Policy Fellowship-Served as PAEA's liaison to three health professions education/public health funding coalitions

Coordinator, Government Relations

• Jan 2018 - Mar 2018

-Represented PAEA and advocated for the association's interests before higher education and health care policy congressional staff as the association's in-house registered lobbyist-Provided oral and written updates on the association's advocacy/grassroots initiatives to the Board of Directors and senior leadership-Led a successful grassroots campaign in support of a pilot program to provide educational assistance to members of the Armed Forces seeking to become PAs (included in FY18 omnibus)-Facilitated the continued development of the Grassroots Action Network through improved advocate training, a renewed focus on peer-to-peer outreach, and regular policy briefings for members-Coordinated Hill Days for the Government Relations Steering Committee in-person meeting and USC PA program advocacy trip-Solicited and reviewed proposals from vendors to improve the association's advocacy capacity and determine budget recommendations-Served as a staff partner to the Optimal Team Practice Task Force and the Government Relations Steering Committee

Administrative Associate, Government Relations

• Jun 2017 - Dec 2017

-Proposed, developed, launched, and managed the association's Grassroots Action Network-Drafted regular updates on legislative and regulatory issues for leadership and members-Led a successful grassroots campaign to include a provision in a CMS final rule granting credit towards Medicare reimbursement for clinical preceptors of physician assistant students-Drafted regulatory comment letters and association statements on emerging policy developments-Composed issue briefs and fact sheets for public use and meetings with congressional staff-Conducted outreach with physician assistant program directors to capitalize on advocacy opportunities-Coordinated Capitol Hill meetings for the Student Health Policy Fellowship and accompanied fellows as a registered lobbyist

Health Policy Intern

• Jan 2017 - May 2017

Advanced the advocacy initiatives of five health policy issue coalitions, conducted literature reviews to ascertain pertinent information for inclusion in policy position papers and editorials, and attended congressional and MedPAC briefings and prepared summaries for senior policy staff. Advanced the advocacy initiatives of five health policy issue coalitions, conducted literature reviews to ascertain pertinent information for inclusion in policy position papers and editorials, and attended congressional and MedPAC briefings and prepared summaries for senior policy staff.

Legislative Intern

• Aug 2016 - Dec 2016

Drafted response letters to constituents on prevalent public policy issues while integrating prior internship experience, attended congressional policy briefings and composed summary memos for legislative staff, and conducted qualitative and quantitative research to perform additional constituent service tasks more effectively. Drafted response letters to constituents on prevalent public policy issues while integrating prior internship experience, attended congressional policy briefings and composed summary memos for legislative staff, and conducted qualitative and quantitative research to perform additional constituent service tasks more effectively.

Quality and Regulatory Affairs Intern

• May 2016 - Aug 2016

Conducted analyses of emerging Medicare reimbursement methodologies under recent MACRA legislation, drafted a business plan for the redesign of the association consultation program to ensure members complied with federal quality standards, and compiled resources from federal agencies regarding electronic health record implementation for member use. Conducted analyses of emerging Medicare reimbursement methodologies under recent MACRA legislation, drafted a business plan for the redesign of the association consultation program to ensure members complied with federal quality standards, and compiled resources from federal agencies regarding electronic health record implementation for member use.

Federal Policy Intern

• Jan 2016 - Apr 2016

Created briefing books on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and public policy issues for future interns, lobbied on Capitol Hill with regards to budgetary, education, and public health policy, and participated in HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C policy conference calls/webinars. Created briefing books on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and public policy issues for future interns, lobbied on Capitol Hill with regards to budgetary, education, and public health policy, and participated in HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C policy conference calls/webinars.

Office Assistant

• Sep 2015 - Apr 2016

Compiled a newsletter read by hundreds of subscribers on a weekly basis, updated academic resources accessed by both students and faculty members, and maintained the Department of American Studies website and social media outlets. Compiled a newsletter read by hundreds of subscribers on a weekly basis, updated academic resources accessed by both students and faculty members, and maintained the Department of American Studies website and social media outlets.