ASEPA Board Members
The following members presently comprise the Board of Directors for the American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants. By clicking on their email address, you can email them directly. Board members are endocrine-practicing PAs and serve two year terms.
Current President
Ji Hyun Chun (CJ), MPAS, PA-C, BC-ADM
Email - ASEPAemail@gmail.com
Current Position - OptumCare Medical Group, Orange County, CA.
Education
- A.T.Still University / Arizona School of Health Sciences, Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Arizona State University, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Academic Appointments
- Faculty member, A.T.Still University / Arizona School of Health Sciences, Department of Physician Assistant Studies
- Faculty member, Metabolic and Endocrine Disease Summit
- Editorial Board of Clinician Reviews
- Peer reviewer for Journal of AAPA
- Test Committee Member for Physician Assistant National Certifying and Recertification Exam (PANCE/PANRE) at National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Chair of Educational Advisory Board for Diabetes Leadership Edge
- Educational Advisory board for Obesity Leadership Edge
- Active lecturer at state and national conferences for various endocrine topics
- Multiple publications and editorial work on various endocrine topics
Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Allied Health Professional Member
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants
- American Association of Diabetes Educators: Board-Certified Advanced Diabetes Management
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
Immediate Past President
Sondra O'Callaghan, PA-C MPH, CHES
Email - sondra.o’callaghan@va.gov
Current Position - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Orlando VA Medical Center, Endocrinology Service
Clinical Instructor, UCF/Orlando VA/HCA Consortium
Endocrinology and Metabolism Fellowship Program
Education
- Certified Health Education Specialist - 2006
- University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL MPH - 2006
- Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN Bachelor of Science, Physician Assistant - 1999
- Combat Medical Specialist Training, Fort Sam Houston, TX Combat Medic, EMT - 1994
- University of South Florida, Tampa, FL Bachelor of Science, Biology - 1992
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants 1997 - Present
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 2014- present
- American Diabetes Association 2004 - 2011
- Florida Public Health Association 2005 - Present
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants 2010 - Present
- AAPA Veterans Caucus 2013-present
- ASEPA President 2013- 2017
- ASEPA Secretary 2011-2012
Clinical Trials
- Completed the "Human Participants Protection Education for Research Teams" course sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on October 14, 2003
- Co-investigator, Aventis Pharmaceuticals' "Glycemic Optimization Trial" (GOT), 2003-2004
- Subinvestigator for Bristol-Myers Squibb Protocol CV168062, Muraglitazar
- Subinvestigator for Novo Nordisk Norditropin Registry
- Co-investigator for Baptist Medical Center Neurologic Outcomes Trial, current
Mission/Humanitarian Experience
- Dominica, West Indies (Diabetes lay and professional education; community awareness/screening) 2003, 2004, 2005
- China (Diabetes Education Delegation to China) 2010
- Guatemala (Care for indigenous children at malnutrition center) 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
- Nicaragua (Care for homeless elderly/community outreach/soup kitchen) 2014
Treasurer
Kristen A. Scheckel, PA-C
Email - kascheckel@gmail.com
Current Position - Creekside Endocrine Associates in Denver Colorado.
Education
- Midwestern University, Glendale Arizona Campus, Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, 2010
- The University of Arizona, Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Sciences, 2008
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
- Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Allied Health Professional Member
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants
Publications
- Scheckel KA, Degner SC, Romagnolo DF. Rosmarinic acid antagonizes activator protein-1-dependent activation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human cancer and nonmalignant cell lines. Journal of Nutrition. 2008 Nov;138(11):2098-105
Secretary
Ashlyn Smith, MMS PA-C
Email - ashlyns9@endoassocaz.net
Current Position - Endocrinology Associates in Scottsdale, AZ.
Education
- Midwestern University Glendale Campus: Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies - 2011
- University of Arizona: Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - 2008
- Medical Spanish Certification 2012
Professional Affiliations
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants
- American Association of Diabetes Educators
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
- Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants
Professional Education Development
- Northern Arizona Nurse Practitioner Group Focus on Pediatrics Conference - June 7, 2014: "Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Pediatric Population: Constructing a Healthier Future"
- 26th Annual Southwestern Regional Nurse Practitioner Symposium - July 26, 2014: "Changing the Tide: Tools to Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus"
- Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants Fall CME Conference - September 15, 2014: "Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Simplifying Therapeutic Options"
- Author for high-stakes testing review questions for A. T. Still University Department of Physician Assistant Studies Spring 2015
Publications
- CME Article: "Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes: Growing Threat to US Health." Clinician Reviews March 2015
- Contributor: Simon and Carlson, Lange Q&A Physician Assistant Examination, Seventh Edition. Endocrinology section (planned for 2016)
HOD 2015-2017
Ben Prohaska, PA-C, MPAS, BC-ADM
Email - bprohaska@hotmail.com
Current Position - Renown Health Department of Endocrinology in Reno, Nevada.
Education
- Pacific University, Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, 2005
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology, 1999
Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Diabetes Educators: Board Certified – Advanced Diabetes Management
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants
- Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Allied Health Professional Member
- American Diabetes Association
Professional Appointments/Volunteer
- Past President - Nevada Academy of PAs, 2017
- Board Member – Nevada Diabetes Association
- Admissions Committee Member – University of Nevada School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program
- Committee Member – Diabetes Prevention and Control Program – Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
- Committee Member – American Diabetes Association Health Care Professional Legal Advocacy Network.
- Clinical Preceptor for various PA programs
- Volunteer medical provider at multiple Diabetes Kids Camps
Student Representative
Sean Flynn, PA-S
Email - sflynn1@mghihp.edu
Education
- MGH Institute of Health Professions, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Class of 2018
- University of San Francisco, Bachelor of Science in Biology, 2014
Clinical Experience
- Junior Clinician, Crimson Care Collaborative, Boston, MA, 2016-Present
- Ophthalmic Technician, Pacific Eye Associates, San Francisco, CA, 2014-2016
- EMT-B, Event Medical Services, San Francisco, CA, 2014-2016
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA): Student Member
- California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA): Student Member
- PAs for Tomorrow (PAFT): Student Member
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants (ASEPA): Student Member
Vanessa Rivas, PA-S
Email - vanessari@pcom.edu
Education
- DeSales University, Bachelor of Science in Biology, 2016
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Class of 2018
Clinical Experience
- Physician Assistant Observation Program, Saint Luke’s University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 2014-2015
- Recreation Assistant, The Cranbury Center, Monroe, NJ, 2013-2016
Volunteer Experience
- Make a Wish Foundation
- The Cranbury Center
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA): Student Member
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants (ASEPA): Student Member
Paige Ielati, PA-S
Email - piela001@fiu.edu
Education
- Florida International University, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Class of 2018
- California State University, Fullerton, Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with a minor in Chemistry, 2015
- Butte Community College, Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Studies and Diversity Studies, 2012
Clinical Experience
- Medical Assistant, Brain and Elective Spine Treatment, Fountain Valley, CA 2015-2016
- Medical Assistant, Neurology Center of North Orange County, Fullerton, CA 2013-2015
- Emergency Medical Technician, Orange County, CA
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA): Student Member
- Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA): Student Member
- American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants (ASEPA): Student Member
- Florida International University Physician Assistant Student Organization (PASO): External Affairs Representative