Board of Directors
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President - Nicole Soucy, PA-C
Nicole Soucy received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Florida in 2011. She then pursued her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of North Texas Health Science center and graduated in 2015. Nicole has been a member of the Association of Physician Assistants in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (APA-AAI) since 2016. She has served as Secretary of the organization and currently produces the organization’s newsletter. She is an allied health member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) and is a fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). Nicole resides inDallas, Texas with her husband and daughter. She currently works at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Duncanville in Duncanville, Texas. Nicole is passionate about treating patients with allergies and asthma and is honored to serve on the board of directors.
Past President - Brian Bizik, MS, PA-C
Brian brings over two decades of health, nutrition and wellness experience to his patients. Brian’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Nutrition. After working for almost 10 years in the health/wellness field Brian went back to school and completed Physician Assistant training in 2003. Brian currently practices as a PA in Twin Falls, Idaho with Asthma and Allergy of Idaho. Brian enjoys running, photography and traveling.
President Elect - Heather O'Connell, PA-C
Heather O’Connell is a practicing physician assistant since 2015. She graduated with her MS in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. She works in private practice with Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute in Phoenix, Arizona where she enjoys treating patients of all ages. She is a certified asthma educator and has a special interest in pediatric asthma as well as allergic contact dermatitis. She is currently serving a 2 year term (2022-2024) as a member at large to this board.
Secretary - Bill Sanders, DMS, PA-C
Bill’s career in medicine began in the early 1980s following his time in the service as an Army Ranger. After working as a paramedic in Central Florida and later as a flight medic at the University of Florida in Gainesville, he attended and graduated from the PA program there in 1988. Five years later he began working with an allergist in Gainesville and, through a series of events, ended up starting his own practice in 2000. He received a master’s degree in health care management in 2002. In 2006 Bill joined the Army Reserves as a medical officer and has been deployed twice. For about ten years, Bill was employed as an adjunct instructor at a local community college where he taught basic medical courses. He received his Doctor of Medical Science degree in 2022. He has been an active member of AAPA and ACAAI for most of his career, and he is also a past president of this club.
Treasurer - Gabriel Ortiz, MPAS, PA-C, Founder
Gabriel Ortiz, MPAS, PA-C, has been a Physician Assistant in Allergy and Asthma since 1991. He has participated in numerous clinical trials for allergy and asthma medications and antibiotics. He received his third BS degree in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston in 1989 and his Masters of Physician Assistant studies in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1999. Gabe is Co-founder and past president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Gabe is the former Liaison from the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the AAAAI Liaison to the AAPA. He is also the former AAPA Liaison to the National Institutes of Health-National Asthma Education and Prevention Program –Coordinating Committee. His research on the use of pharmacotherapy in the management of asthma and topics related to the treatment of allergies has appeared in Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, Physician Assistant, Journal of the AAPA, Journal of Asthma, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Advance for the PA, Advance for NP and PA, Clinical Advisor, The Journal of Family Practice and CHEST. He has served as chair or co-chair for several PA and NP conferences and has given numerous lectures at local, state and national conferences including the AAAAI. In February 2008, Gabe was awarded the recognition of Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA.
PA Member at Large: Katherine Werner, PA-C
Katherine Werner received her undergraduate degree in the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health from Yale University while playing D1 basketball there. She then pursued her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona and graduated in 2018. She works in private practice with Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. She enjoys seeing patients of all ages but has a special interest in childhood asthma and atopic dermatitis. Outside of professional work, her interests include traveling, hiking, and baking.
PA Member at Large- Mallory Logsdon, PA-C
Physician Assistant practicing at Florida Allergy and Asthma Associates with Dr Steven Louie since 2013 and working with Allermi Medical Associates since 2022. Attended The University of Florida in Gainesville, FL earning a Bachelors of Biological Sciences, B.S. in 2009 and moved onto Graduate Training at Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Program earning a Masters of Medical Science, MMS Graduated with Honors. Other memberships include American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA), Hereditary Angioedema Association (HAEA), Broward-Palm Beach Allergy Society. In my spare time, I am hanging out with my little girls (twins) and husband. There is nothing better than evening beach sessions with the family and traveling!
NP Member at Large - LeighAnn Schmidt, FNP
Leigh Ann completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Mount St Mary’s University in Los Angeles in 2002. After over 15 years in Nursing as an ED Nurse, Trauma Coordinator and Case Manager, she went on to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at the University of Southern California in 2019. She currently works providing primary care services, Allergy and Asthma care at a multi-specialty group, Palos Verdes Medical Group (PVMG), where she is director of their Food Allergy and OIT program. LeighAnn also works with Peninsula Research Associates as a sub investigator and unblinded pharmacist for many of their studies. Her primary focus is on food allergy treatments, eczema, asthma and vaccines. Leigh Ann is a Southern California native and loves the fact that she is able to work and raise her family in the same community that she grew up in.
CME Chair - Amanda Michaud, DMSc, PA-C, AE-C
Amanda has been a PA since 2012 and practicing in allergy, asthma, and immunology since 2014. After practicing for 8 years in Arizona, she is currently employed by Family Allergy and Asthma Consultants in Jacksonville, FL. She has clinical research experience in allergy, asthma, and immunology. She serves on several committees including the Board of Directors of APA-AAI, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, Immunology (ACAAI). She also serves as the PA liaison for the AAPA to AAAAI. Amanda is a certified asthma educator (AE-C) and also completed her doctorate degree in 2022. She is a published author, consultant, medical writer, and speaker at numerous national, regional, and state conferences.
Executive Director - Monique Ochoa, CMP
Monique is the owner of Plan-it Satisfaction, an association management company which specializes in small medical associations. Monique is a certified meeting professional with a bachelor’s degree in business and a concentration in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management from the University of New Orleans. Monique has over 10 years of meeting planning experience and many years of managing physician assistant groups.
