Nelya Curry, PA-C, MPAS, is a Board-Certified Physician Associate practicing in Eugene since 2017. Known for her nonjudgmental, patient-centered approach, Nelya deeply believes in caring for the whole person.

She strives to meet patients where they are, fostering trust and creating inclusive spaces for everyone. Her practice is defined by awareness and sensitivity, with a special emphasis on welcoming LGBTQIA+ individuals and people from all backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life.

Nelya is passionate about educating patients on their health, validating their experiences, and offering a holistic, evidence-based approach to treatment. She empowers individuals to take an active role in their healthcare journey, ensuring each person feels valued, supported, and equipped to thrive.

In her practice, Nelya champions the synergy between psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and lifestyle medicine. Alongside medication management for psychiatric conditions, she incorporates innovative treatment modalities such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Esketamine.

Originally from Soviet Ukraine and raised in Oregon, Nelya completed her undergraduate studies at Willamette University before graduating from the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine.

Outside of work, she enjoys sustainable gardening, backpacking, and baking with friends and family.

Alicia Quella is the Director of Communications and PA Relations at the NCCPA. She has served as a PA Program Chair and Director and has practiced in emergency medicine and primary care. She has served as an epidemiologist and has published research on the PA workforce, global health and PA educational debt. 1 Alicia earned her Masters of PA Studies degree and her doctoral degree in epidemiology from the University of Iowa.

Alisa graduated from Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ with a Masters of Medical Science, Physician Assistant Studies with an emphasis in research and her Doctor of Medical Science from Shenandoah University. Alisa has practiced in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon, in inpatient infectious disease, family medicine, emergency medicine and now with Ascent Healthcare. Alisa is active in her state and national PA associations and has been integral in helping advance the PA profession to be able to practice at the top of their license and ensure equitable and affordable healthcare to all. In her spare time Alisa enjoys being with her husband and three kids being outdoors and traveling.

Commission on White House Fellows where he facilitated the Fellow selection process. This included candidate vetting, coordination of the selection committee members, sites and activities across the country, and Fellow support throughout their two-year service projects. In this role, Taylor built relationships and learned from top federal officials and political strategists, which influences the advice he offers clients today.

Prior to his work at the White House, Taylor also served as the inaugural student member of the Oregon State University Board of Trustees. Previously, he exercised his leadership as the University’s Student Body President. He has also participated in fellowship programs, including the Tigard Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fellowship.

Taylor continues to be deeply engaged in his community, serving on the Tigard Committee for Community Engagement, and on the Board of Directors for Rural Development Initiative as Board Secretary. A Political Science graduate of Oregon State University, Taylor is an avid Beaver’s fan and passionate about work that connects rural and urban Oregon. When Taylor isn’t strategizing with clients, you can find him playing with his dog, Walter, who he rescued from the Oregon Humane Society.

Niki Strealy, RDN, LD is the owner of Strategic Digestion, LLC. In her virtual practice, she empowers people with chronic digestive conditions to improve their digestive health and quality of life through diet and lifestyle modifications. Her own personal experiences with irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease have given her a deep understanding and compassion for the challenges faced by people with digestive disorders. Niki combines evidence-based nutrition strategies with practical solutions tailored to meet individual needs. She has over 28 years of experience, and her book “The Diarrhea Dietitian: Expert Advice, Practical Solutions, and Strategic Nutrition” was published in 2013.

Josh is a PA who specializes in LGBTQ+ health, which includes sexual health, gender affirming care, and HIV prevention and care. He is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association and the LBGT Caucus of the AAPA and is currently on clinical leave performing bargaining unit work for the Professionals Bargaining Unit at Kaiser Northwest, where he represents all primary care PAs, NPs, and RNs in the region.

Chelsi Rayford is a Physician Assistant who joined Inovia’s NW practice early in 2020. A Portland native, she completed her undergraduate degree at Oregon State University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in General Science with minors in Chemistry and Intercultural Communications. After her undergraduate coursework Chelsi trained as an Emergency Medical Technician and worked as an Ophthalmic Technician while applying to Physician Assistant programs.

Chelsi received her master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. During her training she was heavily involved in volunteering including mentoring high school students interested in health care careers, working in flu vaccination outreach and international medical missions in both Peru and Panama. Her positive energy and empathic approach to medicine provide the foundation for meaningful patient connections. She is an advocate for patient centered care and prioritizes taking time to focus on patient education and understanding. When not in the clinic Chelsi enjoys traveling the world and spending time outside with her husband Kyle, family and friends.

Marshall Strother is an Assistant Professor of Urology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland Oregon. He completed his residency at the University of Pennsylvania and his Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship at Fox Chase Cancer Center. His practice focuses on the surgical management of complex genitourinary cancers.

Cindy Rowe is an internationally recognized speaker known for transforming organizations through the unexpected power of kindness and heart-centered leadership. Named one of the Top 50 Women Speakers of 2024, she has experience helping leaders and teams harness emotional intelligence to drive engagement, performance, and retention. Cindy’s unique approach blends real-world business acumen with evidence-based strategies. As the founder of two successful companies, she understands the challenges of leading through change, burnout, and growth. Her customized keynotes and training programs have been delivered across industries—from healthcare and finance to education and construction—earning consistent praise for being both energizing and deeply practical. She’s been trusted by national associations, corporate clients, and leadership conferences to deliver content that inspires action. Whether addressing the C-suite or emerging leaders, Cindy equips audiences with tangible tools to create psychologically safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplaces. Audiences leave her sessions feeling motivated and empowered, with actionable strategies they can implement immediately to build stronger teams, lead with empathy, and create cultures where people— and business—thrive.

Joseph Gatti is a board‑certified dermatology Physician Associate with nearly two decades of experience spanning medical, surgical, and aesthetic dermatology. As co‑founder of The Clinic for Dermatology & Wellness and Pure Medspa in Medford, Oregon, Joseph has built two thriving practices from the ground up, navigating the complexities of private ownership, multi‑disciplinary care delivery, and aesthetic practice development.

In addition to clinical expertise, Joseph holds an MBA and is completing his Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), equipping him with advanced knowledge in healthcare administration, business strategy, and organizational leadership. He consults nationally through Azimuth Consultants, helping PAs and other clinicians launch, scale, and optimize medical and aesthetic practices. Joseph speaks frequently on topics including dermatology practice management, entrepreneurial pathways for PAs, revenue cycle optimization, and the intersection of clinical care and business strategy.

His sessions are known for blending practical, actionable insights with real‑world lessons from his own journey as a clinician‑entrepreneur.

Having practiced as a Physician Assistant for 14 years and within orthopedic surgery for 12 years, Ashley Schnell is passionate about caring for patients at the highest level, as well as educating her patients about their conditions. Because of her passion for both orthopedics and teaching, she also is a guest lecturer at the Stanford University PA Program, where she co-leads a casting and splinting annual workshop. She has participated in multiple project improvement committees at Stanford Healthcare and acts as the APP Lead for the Stanford Ortho Joint department.

Sophia Lichenstein-Hill, DNP, FNP has worked in health care for over 20 years. She received her BSN from Johns Hopkins University in 2004 and her DNP from the University of Washington in 2010. For the last 15 she has practice as a provider in Gastroenterology, with special focus on motility disorders, Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction, abdominal wall pain treatment, and gastrointestinal disorders in the Cystic Fibrosis population. She serves on the APP Committee for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and chairs the ACG APP Awards Committee. She is also the Associate Director for Advanced Practice at Oregon Health and Science University.

Adam Churey is an assistant professor at Pacific University School of Physician Associates. He graduated from Midwestern University, Glendale in 2014 and previously worked in emergency medicine and urgent care. During his free time he enjoys running, spending time with his dogs and is an avid Buffalo Bills fan.

Mrs. Jessica Wright is a physician associate and assistant professor in the School of Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Oregon Health Sciences University. Mrs. Wright spends majority of her clinical time at OHSU on the Inpatient Geriatrics Consult Service where she and her colleagues work to address polypharmacy, falls, and delirium in older adults. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys traveling with her wife, beekeeping and taking pictures of the Milky Way!

Alison McLellan, PA-C, is a gynecology physician associate and tenured associate professor at Pacific University’s School of Physician Associate Studies. A passionate advocate for faculty and the profession, she helped establish Pacific University’s American Academy of University Professors (AAUP) Faculty Advocacy Chapter, serving first on its founding Executive Committee and later as Chapter President.

Barbara Martin MS, PA-C graduated from The George Washington University PA Program in 2000 She has worked at Central City Concern (CCC), an FQHC and Healthcare for the Homeless site in Portland, OR for over 20 years. She is a primary care provider in Internal Medicine, and additionally has held leadership roles at CCC including Associate Medical Director, Senior Director of Primary Care Operations, and currently Interim Medical Director of Mobile Health, and Medical Director of Health Informatics. She is a previous President of Oregon Society of PAs (2010-2012), board member (2009-2014), and served on the CME committee of OSPA. Additionally she has served on Oregon State Committees (Patient Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH), Primary Care Payment Reform, Community Data Exchange) and consults as a Clinical Transformation Consultant with the PCPCH program for Oregon.

Dr. Emilio DeBess is Oregon’s State public health veterinarian, blending public health, clinical experience with a passion for community engagement. After earning both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master’s in Preventive Veterinary Medicine from the University of California at Davis, Dr. DeBess completed an internship at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island and a residency with the California Department of Health, where he investigated cross-border disease outbreaks and emerging public health concerns. He has served as an epidemiologist during major outbreaks, including hepatitis A in Modesto, California, all while maintaining active practice in small animal medicine. As Oregon’s State Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. DeBess specializes in infectious and zoonotic disease prevention, guiding statewide responses to emerging health threats. Beyond his public service, Dr. DeBess remains deeply committed to animal welfare within underserved communities. He volunteers with PAW Team (Portland Animal Welfare Team) to deliver veterinary care to the pets of individuals experiencing homelessness.