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Texas Gulf Coast

Physician Assistant Association

Board of Directors


President

Thuy Nguyen, PA-C

president@tgcpaa.org
Thuy completed her undergraduate studies at LSU in Baton Rouge with a degree in Information Systems and Decision Science. She went on to work for an environmental engineering group for 3 years in Atlanta, GA before deciding to pursue a career as a PA. She completed her Physician Assistant studies at Long Island University- Brooklyn campus in 2010. She relocated to Houston, Texas after graduation and has since been an employee at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery department. She has been a member of TGCPAA since 2011 and previously served as Professional Development Chair and Publicity Chair. She also previously served as PR chair for TAPA (Texas Academy of Physician Assistants) and was a PA ambassador for NCCPA. She was also recognized as a finalist for the MD Anderson 2019 PA Excellence Award.


Vice President

Christine Vu, PA-C

vicepresident@tgcpaa.org

Christine graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care. She went on to work for a year as a respiratory therapist at North Cypress Medical Center before she knew she had to go back to her alma mater and graduate with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies in 2013. Christine went on to begin working at MD Anderson in the Department of Leukemia as an inpatient PA for about a year and a half before transferring to the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Christine has been an assistant instructor for suture workshops for the UTMB PA program, Baylor PA program, TAPA, and TGCPAA since 2016. She also volunteers for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Health Committee since 2016. Christine has been a member of TCGPAA since 2016.


Secretary

Courtney Sheffield, PA-C

secretary@tgcpaa.org

Courtney graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She took a gap year and continued her work as a PCA on a med-surg unit as she accumulated more hours for applications. She then started PA school at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, and graduated in May 2023. Courtney started her first job out of PA school at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Department of Plastic Surgery and concurrently pursued her Doctor of Medical Science degree through Butler. She completed work for her DMS program in December 2023.


Treasurer

Kavitha Tamerisa, PA-C

treasurer@tgcpaa.org

Kavitha earned her Master's in Physician Assistant Studies from Rosalind Franklin University in 2005. She began her PA career at MD Anderson Cancer Center, working in the Stem Cell Transplant and Leukemia Departments and now in the Lymphoma Department. She has been an active member of TGCPAA since the start of her career and is dedicated to supporting her colleagues, advancing the PA profession, and giving back to her community through leadership and service.


Trustee

Sarah Hernandez, PA-C

trustee1@tgcpaa.org

Sarah received her bachelor's degree in Biology from Texas A &M - Corpus Christi in 2002. In 2005, she received her Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She began her career in an Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgery in private practice in Houston, Texas from 2005-2009. Since 2009, she has been at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Sarah has participated in instructing suture workshops to PA students at UTMB and Baylor PA programs. She has also instructed PAs at TAPA and AAPA suture workshops. Sarah has been a member of TGCPAA since 2010. She was TGCPAA Secretary from 2013-2017. Then TGCPAA Treasurer from 2017-2019. She will serve on BOD as TGCPAA Trustee starting 2022.


Trustee

Amy Ly, PA-C

trustee2@tgcpaa.org

Amy completed her undergraduate studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. She then worked with stroke and TBI patients as a Clinical Research Assistant for two years. She served one year in Americorps, Community Healthcorps in NYC, delivering free cancer screenings to uninsured patients as an outreach and engagement specialist prior to pursuing her PA career. In 2018, Amy graduated from Wingate University with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies and is currently employed at MD Anderson Cancer Center, working in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her Australian Shepherd, traveling the world, and sharing delicious food.