Dawn Morton-Rias was appointed President & CEO of NCCPA in 2014, and is a non-voting member of the NCCPA Board of Directors.

She is a long-time PA educator and former PA program director. Prior to joining NCCPA, she served as a Professor and Dean at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where she still serves on faculty.

Morton-Rias has practiced in family medicine, addictive medicine, gynecology and acute care for the homeless. She has served as President of the PAEA appointee to the HRSA Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry; appointee to the Federation of State Medical Board’s Education Committee; advisor to the National Health Service Corp; and Commissioner on the PA Accreditation Commission. She is a previous recipient of a Fulbright Senior Specialists grant award and the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health’s Leadership Award.

Morton-Rias earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Science degree and PA Certificate from Howard University. She completed a Professional Diploma in Instructional Leadership and earned a Doctorate of Education from St. John’s University.

Cindy Nalls oversees the information services, review and appeals, and certification maintenance departments.

She holds professional memberships with National Association of Medical Staff Services, Georgia Association Medical Staff Services, American Society of Association Executives and has served as a volunteer and examiner on the Baldrige Board of Examiners.

Nalls obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management from Liberty University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

She has been with NCCPA since 1998.

Joshua Goodman oversees the exam development, psychometrics, exam administration, and research departments.

Josh brings over 15 years of experience in psychometrics and exam development. Before assuming his current position, he led the Psychometrics and Exam Development teams at NCCPA. In addition, he is an active member of the psychometric and assessment community, presenting research findings and perspectives on measurement at national and international conferences.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Science and Anthropology from the University of Delaware and Master and Doctorate degrees in educational measurement from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

He has been with NCCPA since 2015.

Tim Ryan oversees the finance, human resources, communications, corporate policy and facilities departments.

Ryan brings over 20 years of finance and operations experience in the non-profit sector, having previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of MedShare International, the Chief Operations Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and a regional chief financial officer for the American Red Cross.

He began his professional life by serving on active duty in the US Marine Corps as an Officer and an aviator flying the A-4 Skyhawk.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Tim earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida State University and his master’s degree in accountancy from Stetson University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Ryan has been with NCCPA since 2018.

Angela Langa oversees the Technology Services division, including Infrastructure and Corporate Security, Business Systems Analysis, Application Development, Software and Data Quality Assurance and IT Operations.

Langa brings extensive experience in the technology field, along with a passion for forming strategic partnerships and improving organizational efficiency. Prior to joining NCCPA she was the director of product development at ADP and worked closely with senior leaders and team members on their global digital transformation initiative.

She is certified in agile software development methodologies.

A native of Springfield, Illinois, Angela holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia.

She worked with NCCPA from 2008-2016, and returned to the organization in her current role in 2019.

Beverly Black joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in 2018 as a Public Director at Large and is the 2024 Immediate Past Board Chair.

Black, an association consultant, has over 20 years of managerial experience with national, statewide and community-based programs in nonprofit, health-related and educational associations and organizations. For 27 years, she worked for the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and last served as its director of affiliate relations. There, she helped 52 state affiliates become and remain optimally effective associations. She previously held senior-level positions with the Georgia Pharmacy Association and American Society of Hospital Pharmacists.

She brings an abundance of board experience to NCCPA, having served on the American Society of Association Executives Certified Association Executive Commission and having led the boards of the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE) and its foundation.

She is a member of the American Public Health Association and the American Society for Training and Development. She has maintained her CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation since 1998.

Black received a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in health services administration from The George Washington University.

John Bradford joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA as PA Director at Large in 2018 and is the 2024 Board Chair.

He has worked to improve health in resource-poor areas in some of the most remote and isolated areas across five continents. Bradford spent two years as a Peace Corps Medical Officer in Malawi, Africa. He has also worked in Edinburgh Scotland, Kabul, Afghanistan and in the Pacific on Midway and Shemya Islands. He also lived and worked in the Solomon Islands. He has practiced in urgent care, general medicine, occupational health and emergency medicine in rural Montana, Wyoming and Alaska.

He is a resident of Missoula, Montana, and currently splits his time between clinics in Yellowstone National Park and Prudhoe Bay region of Alaska.

Bradford earned a nursing degree from Montana State University and a master’s degree in PA Studies from the University of Utah.

Lieutenant Commander Tawanda Cade joined the NCCPA Board of Directors in 2024 as PA Director at Large.

LCDR Cade is native to Scotia, South Carolina, and a graduate of Charleston Southern University where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Professional Biology with minor in Spanish.  She is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina where she completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2012.

Professionally, she has served as a member of various health professional boards and committees. She served as Vice President of Naval Association of Physician Assistants in 2018-2020. She has been a consultant to the Duke University Nursing program and an instructor for Organon.

Over the years, she has been a clinical instructor, preceptor and mentor to many physician assistant students, medical students and others interested in the health profession.

She currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander in United States Navy.  She deployed to Djibouti, Africa to support Operation Enduring Freedom with the EMF in 2014. She deployed to Marine Rotational Force-Darwin with CLB-1 as the Battalion Surgeon/OIC for LCE component.  She was assigned with Emergency Resuscitative Surgical Services attending Navy Trauma Training Course in Los Angeles, California and obtained certification for Advanced Trauma training.

She served as the Department Head of Kearny Mesa and Senior Medical Officer of the clinic in 2022.

She is married and a mother of two daughters. She enjoys her family adventures and involvement in mentorship for recruitment and retention.

Linked here is LCDR Cade’s appointment as DoD Liaison to the NCCPA.

Linda Delaney joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in January 2018 as a PA Director at Large.

Delaney has been a board-certified PA for 39 years. For most of her career, she practiced at Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, Texas, providing care to a diverse and marginalized population of Dallas County residents. During her years in clinical practice, Delaney specialized in Adult Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, and Cardiology. She became the first PA to serve as the Director of Parkland’s Medicine Specialty Services, providing leadership and oversight to over 100 PAs and nurse practitioners.

Delaney has extensive experience in volunteer leadership as an elected member of state and national boards. She has served as president of the Texas Academy of PAs (TAPA), director at large for the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), and governor-appointed member of the Texas PA State Medical Board. She also served on the leadership team of Parkland’s Advanced Practice Provider Council and the PA Standardization and Review Committee. She serves on TAPA’s Legislative Affairs Committee and is a Texas Delegate to the AAPA’s House of Delegates. Delaney holds professional memberships with the AAPA LBGT Caucus and the PA Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy.

Delaney has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Baylor University (Biology) and the University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professions. She earned a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. In 2021, she received a Doctor of Medical Science degree from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences.

She is a resident of Allen, Texas, and currently splits her time between Texas and California

James Gehring joined the joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in January 2018 as a Physician Director at Large.

Gehring, an assistant professor of medicine at The George Washington University (GWU), has extensive experience working with PAs. He currently has dual roles as the division director of hospital medicine and the medical director of the PA program, where he supervises PA students during internal medicine inpatient rotations and instructs first-year PA students. He also helped develop the PA hospitalist service at GWU Hospital and served as their primary supervising physician for seven years.

Gehring holds professional memberships with the Society of General Internal Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He also serves GWU’s Medical Records Committee.

He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and licensed to practice medicine in the District of Columbia.

He is a graduate of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Jed Grant joined the NCCPA Board of Directors in 2024 as PA Director at Large.

Grant comes to the board with over 24 years of clinical experience in primary care, urgent care, and emergency medicine throughout California. He is currently working clinically in urgent care in the Sacramento area and serves in the CA Army National Guard as an Aeromedical PA.

Grant has worked in PA education for more than two decades.  He is the Vice-Chair of the Department of PA Education at the University of the Pacific School of Health Sciences. His research areas have included infectious disease, hypertension, and PA education.

Grant has held many leadership roles. He served on the CA Physician Assistant Board for 11 years as the vice president and president of the Board, has managed clinical PA operations at the local, state, and regional levels, and has led a PA program and a graduate pilot fellowship in Emergency Medicine.

Grant is the recipient of multiple military and civilian awards for distinguished service.  He was the AAPA Veterans Caucus Uniformed PA of the Year in 2023.

Grant began his medical career as a US Army medic and graduated from the Inter-service (US Military) PA Program in 1999.  He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and completed his Doctorate at the University of Lynchburg. 

Joan Grzybowski, DO, FACOFP joined the Board of Directors of  NCCPA in January 2020 as the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) nominee.

Gryzbowski is a physician and clinical instructor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM).

She has held leadership positions at several state organizations including serving as president, vice president and a board member for the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) and President of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Family Physician Society (POFPS). On a national level, she has served as the Family Practice Representative and a member of the BOS Task Force for the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, Director and Treasurer on the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOFBFP), Foundation Member of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP). She has also served on a number of committees for each organization.

She is the recipient of several professional awards including the Presidential Medallion and the Presidential Award of Merit from POMA, the Diversity Award from the Pennsylvania Diversity Council, the Raymond J. Saloom, DO Memorial Award and the Frederick J. Solomon, DO Award of Merit from the POFPS and the Fellowship Award from ACOFP.

She continues to practice as a family medicine physician in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She received her degree in PA studies from the Penn State University and also received a Bachelor of Science degree from King’s College. She later earned a Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Temple Howell-Stampley joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in January 2018 as the American Medical Association (AMA) nominee.

As Chair and Program Director of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center PA Studies program in Dallas, Howell-Stampley advocates for the integration of PAs into clinical practice, maintains program accreditation standards and processes, develops new initiatives, plans curriculum development and enhancement, and ensures effective program operations and outcomes. She previously served nine years as the Medical Director of the General Internal Medicine Clinic at UT Southwestern. There, she led the general internal medicine ambulatory practice in its efforts to become patient-centered, and focused the practice on providing high quality, evidence-based medical care.

Her career spans more than 25 years and includes numerous honors. She is a member of PAEA and the Texas Academy of PAs. She has served on multiple boards including the Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians and the Dallas County Medical Society.

She is a graduate of the East Carolina University School of Medicine and holds Master of Business Administration degree in Healthcare Organization Leadership from the University of Texas – Dallas.

Pat Kenney-Moore joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in 2019 as the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) nominee.

Kenney-Moore has 25 years of PA experience in teaching, service and administration. She was one of the founding faculty members of the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine PA Program dating back to 1995, and continues to serve as the Associate Director.

She has participated in NCCPA test development activities for more than 15 years in a variety of roles including item writer, PANRE committee vice-chair, Pathway II committee chair and senior member of a special projects group.

She is a Distinguished Fellow of American Academy of PAs, past president of the Oregon Society of PAs, and the only non-physician trustee on the Board of the Oregon Medical Association, where serves on the Board’s Executive Committee.

She provides primary care services at a free clinic, has published in national journals and is a peer reviewer for Academic Medicine.

Kenney-Moore has a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from California State Polytechnic University and a PA Program Certificate from the University of Southern California. She also earned a master’s degree in Education and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Portland State University.

Patrick Killeen joined the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Board of Directors as PA Director at Large in 2020.

Killeen has been a PA for over 30 years, first beginning his career at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. Today he offers integrative health cate to pediatric patients and their families in the Boston area, specializing in General Pediatrics.

Killeen is a graduate of The Colorado State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration on Early Childhood Education. He obtained a Master of Science degree in Child Health and Physician Assistant studies from the University of Colorado Health Science Center.

Over the course of his career Killeen has authored several works, appearing in the Journal of the American Academy of PAs (JAAPA), the Journal of Family Practice, Advance for Physician Assistants and others.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, including Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of PAs (2012) and White House Commendations “Joining Forces” Strengthening Our Military Families by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (2011).

Killeen has held a number of professional posts since beginning his career, and served as president of the American Academy of PAs (2010) and president of the Society of Physician Assistants in Pediatrics from 1997-1998.

Linda Lawrence joined the Board of Directors of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) in January 2018 as a Physician Director at Large.

Linda has educated, supervised and partnered with Certified PAs throughout her medical career.

She has been board certified since 1993. She has also served on the boards of the Emergency Medicine Foundation, National Emergency Medicine Political Action Committee, and National Trauma Institute.

As former Board President of the American College of Emergency Physicians, she led the organization to invest more in PAs as partners in the practice of emergency medicine. As an advisor member to the board of the Society of Emergency Medicine PAs (SEMPA), she oversaw growth of the organization in both size and influence – specifically, advising members on how to raise standards of practice in an inclusive and collaborative way. For her dedication and leadership, she was selected to be a Diplomat of SEMPA.

Linda received a medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed her residency at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.

Melissa Michaud joined the NCCPA Board of Directors in 2022 as the Federation of State Medical Boards nominee. She also currently serves as the 2024 Board Secretary.

Michaud comes to the board with 12 years of experience as a PA, having worked primarily in emergency medicine and adult internal medicine/geriatrics.

She currently practices in Maine where she is an Executive Committee Member for Redington-Fairview General Hospital. She is also the Board Chair for the Maine Osteopathic Board of Licensure in Medicine and is a Federation of State Medical Boards Fellow.

Michaud has a Bachelor of Science degree in health studies and a Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from Springfield College in Massachusetts. She holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Emergency Medicine, and certifications in ACLS/BLS/PALS and Advanced Airway/RSI. She also the previous program director for the Redington Fairview General Hospital Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program.

She has previously volunteered with AmeriCorps, and has been a guest lecturer for the University of New England PA Program.

Folashade Omole joined the joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA  in January 2020 as a Physician Director at Large.

She is currently the Sarah and William Hambrecht Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Lagos, and her medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-lfe, Nigeria.

Omole is the medical director of the PA program, director of the student-run free H.E.A.L clinic and a former residency program director. She is also is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and licensed medical acupuncturist.

She has served as a PI and Co-PI on several grants; and has authored and co-authored several manuscripts.

In addition, she has received several awards including the Bronze, Silver and the Gold Level Program Director Recognition awards from the American Academy Family Physician Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AAFP AFMRD). In 2008 she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She is a former recipient of the Georgia Academy Family Physician (GAFP) Educator of the Year award, the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award and the MSM President and Deans Service award. Dr. Omole was also named Georgia Family Physician of the Year in 2015, the highest award bestowed on a GAFP member that recognizes excellence in peer leadership in professional affairs and outstanding contributions to family medicine and to the community. In 2018, she was recognized as an Inspiration Physician by the Women Physicians of the American Medical Association, and most recently was awarded the GAFP Community and Service award.

Omole received her bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Lagos and her medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-lfe, Nigeria. She is also a graduate of the Morehouse School of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program.

Carey Roesler joined the NCCPA Board of Directors in 2021 as PA Director at Large. She also currently serves as the 2024 Treasurer.

Roesler comes to the Board with over 20 years as a PA in orthopedics, most recently working at Johns Hopkins University, where she served as Chief PA from 2003 to 2006.

Practicing in Maryland, Roesler has been a student preceptor for the Towson, Anne Arundel and NOVA PA programs.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland College Park, and obtained her PA degree from Essex Community College. Most recently, Roesler obtained a Business of Medicine certificate from Johns Hopkins University.

In 2020 she was the first to receive the inaugural “Advanced Practitioner of the Year” award from the chief orthopedic residents at Johns Hopkins University, an award granted for excellence in teaching.

Benjamin J Smith joined the Board of Directors of the NCCPA in January 2020 as the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) nominee.

Smith is currently a member of the faculty at the Florida State University College of Medicine, School of PA Practice.

He is the former president of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals, the first PA to serve in this role. He was also the chair AAPA Commission on Continuing Professional Development and Education.  In addition, he served for five years as the interprofessional member of the American Board of Internal Medicine Rheumatology Specialty Board.

Ben is the current Scientific Editor for the Advanced Rheumatology Course.  He serves as a peer reviewer for the JBJS Journal of Orthopedics for PAs and the Journal of the American Academy of PAs. He has also published numerous works focused on rheumatology, geriatrics, and medical education. In 2015, he was named a Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA. Smith continues to practice one day each week at a rheumatology clinic in Thomasville, Georgia where he has devoted his career.

He completed his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Georgia and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in PA Studies at the Medical College of Georgia. In 2019 he received a Doctor Medical Science at the University of Lynchburg.

Zeno St. Cyr II, a retired health care executive, joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in 2017 as a Public Director at Large.

He retired from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2015. His most recent position as director for legislative coordination and senior legislative advisor capped a 35-year career in public health.

He has demonstrated an impressive commitment to public service, having served nearly 30 organizations in volunteer and leadership capacities during his career. He is currently on the Board of Directors of H.O.P.E, Inc. and serves as vice chair of the Prince George’s County Local Development Council. He also serves as a public member on the Maryland State Boards of Pharmacy and Dental Examiners. He holds leadership positions on a number of other civic and community organizations.

St. Cyr is a graduate of Morehouse College and received a Masters of Public Health Administration from Tulane University.

Kendra Thomsen joined the Board of Directors of NCCPA in January 2017 as a PA Director at Large. She served as chair of the Board in 2020.

Thomsen has worked at Baylor Scott & White (BSW) in Texas since 2007, spending much of that time in cardiothoracic & vascular surgery.  She has served in leadership and is the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Administrator for the Greater Austin Region. She has also practiced in family medicine, orthopedic surgery, international health, and endocrinology.

Thomsen has been active in many professional associations and is currently affiliated with the American Academy of PAs, the American Academy of Nephrology PAs, the Association of PAs in Cardiovascular Surgery, and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.

Thomsen has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. She earned her Master of PA Studies degree at Touro University – Nevada and her Doctor of Medical Science at A.T. Still University.